| | Powwow Report for Netherlands - Rotterdam (Jun 4 2010)
| Report from Albert Stufkens | As soon as word got out that the restoration of Rotterdam's favourite ship "ss Rotterdam" was completed I got on board and surveyed it from top to bottom. It was March, the chill of this execeptionally long, snowy and cold winter still lingered on. But .. it was a sunny day. Then I imagined the after-deck in a summery setting, readied for receiving guests savouring drinks and snacks there, and thought 'this would be extremely suitable for a Rotterdam powwow'.
After an initial brainstorming session with Irina, Christianne and Christine the idea was set in motion. A date was set in June assuming that would be the best bet for getting reasonable weather and that most of us would not yet have gone off to a vacation destination. And lo and behold, the weather on 4th June was like hitting the jackpot. That in itself maximized the fun of the powwow. When during the tour of the ship most of our company was somewhere deep down in the ship I was called on my mobile phone by late-comers trying to report their presence and looking for guidance. All I could say was 'meet us on the bridge'. Then we assembled again on the after-deck in the shade. The conversations were so animated and everybody looked like having settled in so nicely that it seemed that the upcoming dinner was not even looked forward to, with the exception of one translator indicating that she was hungry. It did not take much then for everyone to understand the gesture for moving up to the Club Room for having dinner. The menu was appreciated and I was praised for my good choice. Alas, it was not my good choice but, in fact, there was no choice. Eat it or leave it, so to say. Between the courses there was some movement among us, the Russian ladies got together at one end of the table. A fellow Dutchman who sat opposite them later said to me 'they can really make a nice conversation happening!'
As usual, there are always diehards (me included) who cannot leave the place when most have left for home.
When I finally drove home thinking of the great day we all had, I suddenly realized that I was caught in alcohol test trap. As a principled teetotaler actually having enjoyed some excellent wines plus a liqueur on the occasion I saw that my most decent driving record would be shattered in addition to having to pay a very stiff fine. I was quickly trying to figure out my drinking history that evening, and remembered that my last drink was tomato juice. The policeman said I had to blow. I said 'so be it'. To my elation I passed the test coming to the tentative conclusion that tomato juice must have done the trick. So, my fellow wine lovers, always end with a tomato juice! |
ProZ.com users and members who attended
 : organizer  : photos  : report  : host |
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Postings from ProZians who attended this event Jun 10 '10 Hester Eymers: Technical
Hi Albert, I don\'t do technical translations, though the subject (and science in general) interests me. In fact, I am specialised in creative translation, marketing and ads. | Jun 8 '10 Albert Stufkens: Halibut and technicals
I missed the halibut. It is indeed a giant.
Do you also do technical translations, Hester? | Jun 7 '10 Albert Stufkens: Pictures
I uploaded some more pictures taken by Irina. | Jun 6 '10 Olga Tichomirova-ten Zijthoff: Thanks!
I can only add my thanks to the previous ones, Albert - it was warm (not only becuase of the sun), interesting and delicious! My first powwow will definitely not be the last! | Jun 6 '10 CZ-Taal: It was a fantastic experience
Thank you very much Albert for organizing this cruise! I enjoyed every moment of it; good atmosphere, nice people and am impressive ship! | Jun 6 '10 Albert Stufkens: The bill
I also studied the bill. As is apparently usual with that organization on the water, the different departments are not properly synchronized. They booked us for ordinary coffee but the restaurant served coffee de luxe.
Remember the bon bons etc. that went with the coffee? Besides, the inclusion of 6 x Sourcy Pure Blue further confuses the mathematics.
No tip was given. The bill does not specify that.
Consider the extras on the coffee as my treat. | Jun 6 '10 Christine Gardner: The bill
Hey Albert, it looks like we owe you some money. €1014 shared by 16 people comes to €63.38 each and we only paid you €59.50. Was there also an amount for the tip? | Jun 5 '10 Albert Stufkens: Bill and photos
Hello mariners,
Please find an image of the bill: http://picasaweb.google.com/a.stufkens/PowwowRotterdam2010#5479381331916908210
Photos coming soon subject to \'approval\'. | Jun 5 '10 Joy Phillips: Many thanks!
Wonderful idea, Albert! Thanks for taking the initiative to organize it; dinner was delicious, and it was great to have the chance to reconnect with colleagues and meet new people who share a passion for language. | Jun 5 '10 Marga Demmers (X): Thanks, Albert!
Thanks, Albert, for organizing a great Powwow. The venue was original, the tour interesting, the dinner delicious, the weather terrific, and the company couldn\'t be better. In other words: I enjoyed myself immensely. | Jun 5 '10 Christine Gardner: Absolutely fabulous
It was a great day, the weather was glorious, we could see my home city at her best from our elevated position and to top it all, the ship had acquired a 2.5 metre, 160 kilo halibut which they were preparing on the Lido deck (with a lot of ice). I really enjoyed meeting new people, renewing acquaintances, the conversations, the dinner, the ship itself. Good to have my horizons broadened once again. Thank you, Albert, for organizing this event. | Jun 5 '10 Hester Eymers: Thank you!
Thanks, Albert, for organizing this powwow. It was very nice meeting new colleagues and old acquaintances again. The tour of the ship was very impressive, the weather was splendid and dinner was excellent! |
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