Guus Bosman

Yesterday Sasha and I went to the New Year celebration organized by the Washington D.C. Dutch Society. The party started at 16:00 o'clock in the Dutch embassy. I was curious to see the embassy, and it was interesting to see it, but it was not a very Dutch building, except for a picture of Queen Beatrix and a large photograph of Dutch tulip fields.

The Dutch society had decorated the embassy with Dutch and orange flags. There was life classical music, and a bar with drinks including Grolsch and Heineken beer.

We didn't know anybody when we arrived at the party, which was a bit scary, but we talked with quite a few people and we had a really nice afternoon. Some people have been living in the U.S. for many years and they were more comfortable speaking English than Dutch, others were just temporary in the States. It was nice meeting other Dutch people and I signed up to become member of this Dutch club.

The Washington D.C. reporter for the Dutch NOS news agency was also at the party. Of course there were Dutch snacks: young cheese with mustard, and freshly baked oliebollen. Those are a traditional Dutch New Year snack, usually around this time of the year everybody eats a lot of them. For us these were the first and only oliebollen this year, and they were very good.

After the party we went for dinner in Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe. Food in D.C. is generally speaking better than what we ate in San Antonios, if you ask me. To stay in style I had apple pie for desert (a Dutch favorite). Because the New Year party ended early, we were done with dinner early and were home around 21:30 o'clock.

The second most famous touristic attraction in San Antonios is the Riverwalk (Paseo del Rio). The river that flows through the city is far below the streetlevel, and around the river are many restaurants, bars and places to sit.

This creates a very nice atmosphere, beautiful, alive but not too busy.

Here's part 2 of the 4-part series of pictures from San Antonios: The Riverwalk (see also part one).

The most famous touristic attraction in San Antonios is the Alamo, an 18th century fort that played an important role in the history of Texas.

In a battle in 1836 all Texan defenders, who were in a revolution against their Mexican ruler, were are killed after a 13 days siege. This battle not only delayed and damaged the Mexican army severely, but it also made many more Texans join the Texan army and inspired Texan patriotism. A few months later Santa Anna was defeated. A famous speech by the Texan commander before that final battle was then ended with the words: "Remember the Alamo!".

Today the Alamo is still a symbol for the independence and resilient spirit of Texas.

We're back! We just came home from a wonderful vacation in San Antonios, Texas.

It's a very nice place to spend a long weekend like this, and we had Tex-Mex food, tequilas, very warm weather and a beautiful river side.

Now quickly to bed, as normal life will continue tomorrow. We're greatly refreshed and ready for work again! Of course, later this week more, with stories and pictures.

Let me take the opportunity now -- I haven't been online in days, which hasn't happened in the last year -- to wish you all a very good 2005 from Sasha and me. Best wishes, good health, and, perhaps for some of you a visit to the States this year?