In a quiet Dutch café, I watched history repeat itself: from colonial carvings on a bridge to global leaders playing chicken with our future. When history moves too fast, who will jump before we reach the cliff?
"As I sip my coffee, I remember discussions in this very cafe decades ago when we debated American foreign policy with occasional friendly criticism. The distance from those conversations to today's reality feels immeasurable. What hasn't changed is the ambient noise of conversations and clinking cups in the Peppermint."
Your essays are filled with warm remembrances alongside sharp observations of current events. I vote for a slower Camino delving into regional culture and in depth conversation with fellow pilgrims. I'm likely not alone in this thinking 🌻
Your essays are like banyan trees. Developing accessory trunks, allowing the tree to spread outwards indefinitely. All the connections are strong. Reading again.
The connection you draw between the car race and game of chicken in Rebel Without A Cause and the tariff raising game is on target. He won't beat China in a game of math.
China has a history of seeing history develop from a long-term perspective; impulsively igniting a game of chicken with such a chess player was never a good idea.
After 100 days of this dark comedy, "The times they are a changing." The "chickens" are coming home to roost. Anger is starting to rise. The MAGA's who were so sure they could "take a chance" on this Narcissist are finding out he doesn't have a clue, nor does he care how much they are hurting because things like rent, healthcare, childcare, eggs, "groceries" or due process are not anything he has ever lost sleep about.
I love James Dean. I am a "Boomer". We went to a lot of movies with stories where the little guy wins, where the American spirit shines through with big screen heroes like James Dean, Humphry Bogart, Paul Newman. The true "Golden Age" of America with Elvis thrown in for good measure. Movies that showcased American independence, fighting not only for our survival but for the dreams of everyman.
"What is essential is invisible to the eye" is etched on James Dean tombstone. To win this fight, we know what is "essential" for all of us. It is courage. And we have always had it. Just like in the movies of old, the ending has not been written for this cliff hanger. We can write it, star in it and bring the curtain down on this present tragedy. It is up to us.
Nicely written, Alex. A car crash on a California Highway in a Porche 550 Spyder are the stuff legends are made of. Tragic and haunting. Your writing pierces the mundane and gives us all memories and motivation.
Very thoughtful read Mr Verbeek. It gave me a sense that we are moving too quickly in the wrong direction but that there is hope. Being a Canadian and very close to the USA, in Montreal, I, and many thousands of my fellow citizens, have been saying that "we will boycott the USA and stop traveling there". But maybe this is the wrong way of looking at it. Many of us have friends south of the border and perhaps we should continue to visit them and tell them why we both need to continue to be good friends. Lots of them are totally opposed to the Trump insanity and agree with us. A boycott will clearly hurt these people as US travel is being severely curtailed at this time. We have now elected Mr. Carney as the new PM and perhaps he will be able to get some reasonableness reestablished with our old and dear friends to the south!
Exactly. I live in California! Born in Montreal, raised in Nova Scotia, came to Harvard via an amazing boarding school in New Hampshire. What is going on now is not the country that welcomed us in. See Talent Talks essay that I wrote.
Again an excellent essay. Written in the city I just left. So it gives me beautiful flash backs of the familiar places that were mentioned. And how you know how to weave all the subjects flawlessly together into a beatiful and informative carpet. Thank you!
About the camino: I think depth. At least, that is what I at my age would look for.
There’s a lot to unpack here. You make so many connections – I love it.
I will have to go check out the Peppermint Café next week and also Javabrug. Lovely touch with the pigeons sitting on that one stone. “It's remarkable how our colonial past and our own subsequent occupation by Nazi forces converged at this one spot—layers of history intersecting in stone and memory.” This is truly remarkable!
James Dean was a step too far back for me – I’ve not seen any of his movies. He died the year my mom was born. But I did recognize some of your well-chosen examples and movie scenes. Dangerous game indeed and no winners. I’ll have to reread that part – many layers there.
As to your Camino question. I would choose whichever option makes you talk about blisters less 😉. All kidding aside, I think I would love to learn more about the history and the people of some of the places you walk to and through. So maybe slower with time to write and digest. Then again, you’d lose out on that Camino feeling of seeing the same people every evening and making those connections … What I would choose for myself – solitude, i.e. hiking where others don’t, but I don’t think that’s you.
I’m sure you’ll make the right decision. You can always mix and match. There might be unexpected stories. Whatever you decide to do, I look forward to reading your stories.
Thank you, Evelyne. The idea of not losing the "Camino family" kept driving me forward on my last Camino, but walking at the same speed as others while my work never stopped made it a hard combination. I'll play it by ear.
Sharon, I am an early boomer as well; spent every Saturday at the double feature at the local cinema and dates at drive in theaters. 🎭 The ones where you roll down the window to attach the speaker and take breaks to the popcorn 🍿 stand! Great memories!
Our current administration is not one of leadership but rather grift, cruelty, corruption, chaos; the penultimate game of chicken. The so called leader, fading fast, and his cabinet of sycophants. None to rein in his hideous impulses or create policy rather than rubbish. This game is lost already but for the addicted souls who drank the kool aid and will not return to reality. At 💯 days, the nightmare is far from over. Too much smoke to predict an outcome but Kamala Harris rejoining any minute. Must turn on the TV to get her perspective! 🕊️🥰
Well, nearly a month later and finally I read and respond 😔. ‘History/life is moving very fast’ at the moment. I have a memory, from 2016, of when the family of which I was then part, lost all interest in our planned holiday in the U.S. This year my children, now young men, have told me once again that the U.S. is out of bounds.
‘Distance or Depth’ is a very interesting question. You know that my goal is to achieve Welsh independence. Over my 64 years my ‘direction’ has done a complete 180°. From accepting what our ‘small country, (occupied by a powerful neighbour’ and its ‘belief in its superiority’,) has been told for generations, I now totally reject those teachings.
Life took me away from Cymru, first to London, then to Alsemberg, Belgium before sending me back to my home town. Bridgend, and the whole area was once prosperous but has been allowed to decline as its wealth was extracted by the empire (as all empires do). I now see, perhaps as the people of Java and countless other colonies decided, that only independence will allow my homeland to thrive or even survive.
Distance or Depth? I think Brexit has warned us that we will need Depth in spadefuls to achieve our goal. Distance/haste too often comes before a fall.
Thank you, Lizzie. There’s a whole list of characters who keep reappearing in my stories: Vincent van Gogh, Anne Frank, Hemingway, Einstein, and others. I don’t have any special reason for choosing them, except the expectation that any famous figure I mention will likely resurface later in a different context. Dylan is no exception-I recently referenced him in an article about the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm. His presence has been indirect in my writing for some time, as his lyrics sometimes echo in my words (for example, “changing times” in today’s article was a subtle nod, though not the album title).
Now that I think about it, there’s another link between these famous figures: most of them influenced me decades ago. The examples I mentioned were already part of my world before I finished high school-I read Anne Frank and Hemingway, had Van Gogh posters on my wall, tried (unsuccessfully) to grasp Einstein’s theories, and listened to Dylan. Perhaps this could be a future article: how the heroes of your youth stay with you throughout your life.
"As I sip my coffee, I remember discussions in this very cafe decades ago when we debated American foreign policy with occasional friendly criticism. The distance from those conversations to today's reality feels immeasurable. What hasn't changed is the ambient noise of conversations and clinking cups in the Peppermint."
Your essays are filled with warm remembrances alongside sharp observations of current events. I vote for a slower Camino delving into regional culture and in depth conversation with fellow pilgrims. I'm likely not alone in this thinking 🌻
Thank you, Rena. I might slow down this time and take a different approach than during the previous walks.
Your essays are like banyan trees. Developing accessory trunks, allowing the tree to spread outwards indefinitely. All the connections are strong. Reading again.
Thank you, the connections are already there; my only job is to show them to my readers.
The connection you draw between the car race and game of chicken in Rebel Without A Cause and the tariff raising game is on target. He won't beat China in a game of math.
China has a history of seeing history develop from a long-term perspective; impulsively igniting a game of chicken with such a chess player was never a good idea.
After 100 days of this dark comedy, "The times they are a changing." The "chickens" are coming home to roost. Anger is starting to rise. The MAGA's who were so sure they could "take a chance" on this Narcissist are finding out he doesn't have a clue, nor does he care how much they are hurting because things like rent, healthcare, childcare, eggs, "groceries" or due process are not anything he has ever lost sleep about.
I love James Dean. I am a "Boomer". We went to a lot of movies with stories where the little guy wins, where the American spirit shines through with big screen heroes like James Dean, Humphry Bogart, Paul Newman. The true "Golden Age" of America with Elvis thrown in for good measure. Movies that showcased American independence, fighting not only for our survival but for the dreams of everyman.
"What is essential is invisible to the eye" is etched on James Dean tombstone. To win this fight, we know what is "essential" for all of us. It is courage. And we have always had it. Just like in the movies of old, the ending has not been written for this cliff hanger. We can write it, star in it and bring the curtain down on this present tragedy. It is up to us.
Nicely written, Alex. A car crash on a California Highway in a Porche 550 Spyder are the stuff legends are made of. Tragic and haunting. Your writing pierces the mundane and gives us all memories and motivation.
Thank you, Sharon. I always enjoy reading your view, your memories and experiences.
Very thoughtful read Mr Verbeek. It gave me a sense that we are moving too quickly in the wrong direction but that there is hope. Being a Canadian and very close to the USA, in Montreal, I, and many thousands of my fellow citizens, have been saying that "we will boycott the USA and stop traveling there". But maybe this is the wrong way of looking at it. Many of us have friends south of the border and perhaps we should continue to visit them and tell them why we both need to continue to be good friends. Lots of them are totally opposed to the Trump insanity and agree with us. A boycott will clearly hurt these people as US travel is being severely curtailed at this time. We have now elected Mr. Carney as the new PM and perhaps he will be able to get some reasonableness reestablished with our old and dear friends to the south!
Exactly. I live in California! Born in Montreal, raised in Nova Scotia, came to Harvard via an amazing boarding school in New Hampshire. What is going on now is not the country that welcomed us in. See Talent Talks essay that I wrote.
Again an excellent essay. Written in the city I just left. So it gives me beautiful flash backs of the familiar places that were mentioned. And how you know how to weave all the subjects flawlessly together into a beatiful and informative carpet. Thank you!
About the camino: I think depth. At least, that is what I at my age would look for.
Thank you, Ricardo. I’ll likely have moments of speed and moments of depth. But the times I could walk 58km a day are far behind me.
There’s a lot to unpack here. You make so many connections – I love it.
I will have to go check out the Peppermint Café next week and also Javabrug. Lovely touch with the pigeons sitting on that one stone. “It's remarkable how our colonial past and our own subsequent occupation by Nazi forces converged at this one spot—layers of history intersecting in stone and memory.” This is truly remarkable!
James Dean was a step too far back for me – I’ve not seen any of his movies. He died the year my mom was born. But I did recognize some of your well-chosen examples and movie scenes. Dangerous game indeed and no winners. I’ll have to reread that part – many layers there.
As to your Camino question. I would choose whichever option makes you talk about blisters less 😉. All kidding aside, I think I would love to learn more about the history and the people of some of the places you walk to and through. So maybe slower with time to write and digest. Then again, you’d lose out on that Camino feeling of seeing the same people every evening and making those connections … What I would choose for myself – solitude, i.e. hiking where others don’t, but I don’t think that’s you.
I’m sure you’ll make the right decision. You can always mix and match. There might be unexpected stories. Whatever you decide to do, I look forward to reading your stories.
Thank you, Evelyne. The idea of not losing the "Camino family" kept driving me forward on my last Camino, but walking at the same speed as others while my work never stopped made it a hard combination. I'll play it by ear.
Sharon, I am an early boomer as well; spent every Saturday at the double feature at the local cinema and dates at drive in theaters. 🎭 The ones where you roll down the window to attach the speaker and take breaks to the popcorn 🍿 stand! Great memories!
Our current administration is not one of leadership but rather grift, cruelty, corruption, chaos; the penultimate game of chicken. The so called leader, fading fast, and his cabinet of sycophants. None to rein in his hideous impulses or create policy rather than rubbish. This game is lost already but for the addicted souls who drank the kool aid and will not return to reality. At 💯 days, the nightmare is far from over. Too much smoke to predict an outcome but Kamala Harris rejoining any minute. Must turn on the TV to get her perspective! 🕊️🥰
Fundamental pointlessness and reimagine the road entirely are my favorite phrases! Marvelous essay.
Thanks, Linda
Well, nearly a month later and finally I read and respond 😔. ‘History/life is moving very fast’ at the moment. I have a memory, from 2016, of when the family of which I was then part, lost all interest in our planned holiday in the U.S. This year my children, now young men, have told me once again that the U.S. is out of bounds.
‘Distance or Depth’ is a very interesting question. You know that my goal is to achieve Welsh independence. Over my 64 years my ‘direction’ has done a complete 180°. From accepting what our ‘small country, (occupied by a powerful neighbour’ and its ‘belief in its superiority’,) has been told for generations, I now totally reject those teachings.
Life took me away from Cymru, first to London, then to Alsemberg, Belgium before sending me back to my home town. Bridgend, and the whole area was once prosperous but has been allowed to decline as its wealth was extracted by the empire (as all empires do). I now see, perhaps as the people of Java and countless other colonies decided, that only independence will allow my homeland to thrive or even survive.
Distance or Depth? I think Brexit has warned us that we will need Depth in spadefuls to achieve our goal. Distance/haste too often comes before a fall.
Thank you, Lizzie. There’s a whole list of characters who keep reappearing in my stories: Vincent van Gogh, Anne Frank, Hemingway, Einstein, and others. I don’t have any special reason for choosing them, except the expectation that any famous figure I mention will likely resurface later in a different context. Dylan is no exception-I recently referenced him in an article about the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm. His presence has been indirect in my writing for some time, as his lyrics sometimes echo in my words (for example, “changing times” in today’s article was a subtle nod, though not the album title).
Now that I think about it, there’s another link between these famous figures: most of them influenced me decades ago. The examples I mentioned were already part of my world before I finished high school-I read Anne Frank and Hemingway, had Van Gogh posters on my wall, tried (unsuccessfully) to grasp Einstein’s theories, and listened to Dylan. Perhaps this could be a future article: how the heroes of your youth stay with you throughout your life.