Jaap Rameijer's Blog

The main reason for going to the Netherlands during this time was of course to attend the installation of the new naval cadets in Den Helder. 50 years after my own installation. But there was more. Of course there was. I went to see my two sons, Gjalt and Ewout, in Utrecht and I was, of course, present at the house warming party of my daughter in Egmond aan Zee.

I also went to my publisher Uitgeverij Aspekt in Soesterberg, where I discussed the editing of my two new books, ‘Uit in eigen huis’, meaning ‘Going out in your own house,’ and having fun. A cook book especially for men. And my e-book ‘De Orbs evolutie.’ No need to translate that.

Did a lot of shopping, some CD’s and DVD’s, some peanut butter and other Dutch delicacies and a lot of stuff from the toko. Hot stuff, spicy stuff. Things that are not available in France. And a new wide-angle camera. I also visited some old friends 

Whenever I am going to the Netherlands, by car, full of Blanquette, homemade sambal and home made confiture, I try to visit some special places. And participate in some special ceremonies. This time it was Chartres, Gisors and Amiens.

On the way north I met my friend Door who had come south to Chartres and would drive with me to Holland.

50 years ago I finished my gymnasium in Utrecht and went to the Navy. In September 1964 I was installed at the Royal Navy Academy (KIM) in Den Helder as a naval cadet (Adelborst).

In 1967 I was sworn in as a weapons engineering officer. I served as an officer for 15 years. It was a wonderful time. I went to many places all over the world, including Odessa in then the Soviet Union, Constanta in Romania and the Caribbean. I had many interesting jobs. My last job was staff officer at the Naval Command Centre in Den Helder. I left the navy as lieutenant commander

Now, 50 years later a new group of young people were installed as naval cadet, both men and women. Yes times have changed. But traditions do not change. Every year the people who were installed 50 years ago, are invited to attend the installation of a new generation of naval cadets.

It has been a busy time, a hectic time. Full of changes, full of extremes, full of up’s and down’s. In our mind, in our attitude, in the energy around us, even in the weather. We all know that things are changing and changing fast. But we don’t know yet where we are going. And where we will end up. What our destination will be.

So we wait and wonder. We hope and trust. And we do what we have to do.

For me it was mostly guiding. Guiding many people in the area. A big party of Stavoor. But mostly small parties. One person, two persons, three persons, no more. And attending some music festivals, several vide greniers and visiting the market in Esperaza. And of course finishing my last two books.

Guiding is wonderful work. You can tell quite a lot of stories, people can visit many places, we talk a lot and we have fun.

Terrible things are happening in the world. Terrible, terrible things. I know that things like that have happened before. In Cambodia and in Africa with the Huti’s and the Tutsi’s and in many other places. But now we have the Internet and now we have the wartime reporters and now we have satellites and unmanned vehicles. And we see it all happening, right before our eyes. It is horrible. As if the worst fears come true. And we are not only watching it, as we did before, we also feel it. In our bones, in our blood, in out heart.

It is as if things have to get worse before getting better. For they have to get better. They must. The Earth is cleaning itself. People are changing. But the resistance to all these changes is fierce. However let’s try to be positive. Let’s try and see the changes as necessary. As changes that the Earth and we too have to undergo before things get better.