The agency I am working at 5 days a week since I’ve been here in beautiful Amsterdam is called Bureau Pindakaas , which in Dutch means “Peanut butter Agency”. Many a passerby has snickered at the name on the front of the building. Most people in Amsterdam assume we make Peanut butter. The name actually originates from a dutch saying. From what I understand, its something to the gist of “as simple as peanut butter” meaning cut out the crap and frill and politics and just come up with a simple focused solution for the clients we work with. The agency is responsible for the city branding “I amsterdam” which is everywhere. It has been a really cool place to work overall. Not to mention getting into Eurobest as a staff member because of the connections that our “director” of the school, Peggy, has with the whole Eurobest family. Sweet deal.
So if you don’t already know, biking is as much a fixture of the culture of Amsterdam as the canals that encircle it. According to Wikipedia, the most trustworthy source of information ever created, there are about 700,000 bikes in the city. The estimates I have heard since I have been here have been more than that. One article I saw said there are more bikes in the city centrum than residents. Considering there are more than 25,000 bikes residing in the bottom of canals, I would believe it.
So the pants seemed to be made for biking, which has been awesome. I never had to roll them up once–when I am seated, they turn into capris. Also the lightweight breathable fabric is ideal for keeping an adequate amount of heat in, while boasting a faster drying time (due to constant and unexpected rain in Amsterdam) than jeans. And then when I arrive at my destination, I am perfectly overdressed for any occasion in Amsterdam. So sexy.
..things are heating up in Stockholm. Well, more like cooling down and getting really dark. Like 3:30pm bedtime dark. So with pitch black skies and all-night work sessions at Saatchi, Aim and I have to find a way to keep sane. Or totally lose our shit.
I’m a bit legged behind but I still have things to post about Brussels.
I got the pants ready as well and mastered my sewing skills. I put the Manneken Piss on it which is the symbol of Brussels ( a pissing guy for the capital of Europe?). I’ve tried to find out the history of it and I heard at least 5 different stories but this 2 are the most interesting:
There are several legends behind this statue, but the most famous is the one about Duke Godfrey III of Leuven. In 1142, the troops of this two-year-old lord were battling against the troops of the Berthouts, the lords of Grimbergen, in Ransbeke (now Neder-over-Heembeek). The troops put the infant lord in a basket and hung the basket in a tree to encourage them. From there, the boy urinated on the troops of the Berthouts, who eventually lost the battle. (wikipedia)
Another legend tells of the young boy who was awoken by a fire and was able to put out the fire with his urine, in the end this helped stop the king’s castle from burning down. So by now the little guy is pissing on the pants…
The weekend of visiting brother JP in Paris and brother Marton in Brussels culminated in the passing of the pants. The transaction took place at Duval Guillaume, which I must say was a great experience (both the agency tour and the receiving of the pants). After a long bus ride back, the pants now reside in Amsterdam, Netherlands. More to come.
Since I knew I’m not going to have time in the beginning of the week but I didn’t want the pants just laying on my table I went to the local design district and found a store where I could just leave the pants “resting” and “posing” (on a very attractive model by the way).
Special thanks to Les memoires de Jacqmotte Design Store (www.lesmemoiresdejacqmotte.be)
