Finally in Holland

Hello all! I am finally settled in Rotterdam, my new home! After a long and exhausting trip, I arrived in Brussels, Belgium Thursday morning. Didn't sleep a wink as usual but for some reason it wasn't so bad this time. When I got to customs they hardly asked me any questions and I basically walked right into the country. Woohoo. For some reason that always makes me nervous... I ended up having to wait a while for Koen because as most of you know, people over here must rely on public transportation and his train was delayed..but I got to people watch while I waited and when you haven't been to Europe in a while, it can be quite entertaining. I saw the standard "marfs" (man scarves), DEEP v-necks, euro shoes, and fedoras. They're everywhere I swear!


Anyways, when we arrived in Rotterdam, the weather was quite nice. I have to embrace this as it may not last long considering winter starts earlier here than in NC. I caught up on some sleep almost immediately and later we made reservations for a nice turkish restaurant in the city center. The restaurant was called De Bazar and it was really good! Then we had a couple drinks elsewhere in the city. You would all definitely appreciate the atmosphere in the city. They have little awnings outside of all the restaurants and you can just order a beer and watch the people go by. Very peaceful. 


Friday Koen and I decided to go to this beach that was only 30 minutes by train. The beach was called Hoek van Holland which means Corner of Holland. On our 20 minute walk there from the train station, we stopped in a snack bar (these are everywhere and they sell typical Dutch fast food) and got some frietjes (french fries) and I was slightly embarrassed because I ordered ketchup while Koen ordered a giant glob of mayonnaise--thats the Dutch way it seems! This place was a little different from the beaches in Spain and I'll tell you why: COLD WATER. We dipped our toes in the water as soon as we got there and it was absolutely freezing. I don't know how people were swimming in it..Probably felt good to them. That will probably be me around this time next year I hate to say! :) But we found a spot and "chilled". Had a few Amstels and did some people watching (yes I love people watching). It was pretty entertaining because there were cute little Dutch kids running around half naked and my favorite part: the boys trying to the throw an American football. Bhahahaha! I mean think about it. You know how cocky boys are in the States when it comes to Football. They are all pretty good at throwing one because that is something you learn while youre in the womb. These guys here were pathetic. I told Koen I should have gone over there and embarrassed them. However, to redeem themselves, they were all pretty good with a soccer ball. They were everywhere on the beach! After the clouds started rolling in, we caught the train back to R'dam and apparently you can bring all sorts of wildlife on the train because we saw a parrot AND a baby kangaroo. This kangaroo was seriously the cutest animal I've ever seen. He was swaddled in a towel that was hanging from the woman's neck and he looked so cozy. I wanted to steal him! When we arrived we decided stop by the grocery store. Our store is about a 10 minute walk from the apartment which is nice. We got some dinner and went back home and I didn't even get hit by a bike. Success.


Today Koen and I went down to the city center for the Zomercarnaval. This was the best people watching opportunity I've had all week. The parade consisted of people with crazy outfits. There were even guys in slutty clothes shimmying with heavy makeup and fake birds on their shoulders and feathers. Lots of feathers! The music was pretty good though. If you want a taste of what they played, go on youtube and listen to Balada Boa by Gusttavo Lima and Ai Se Eu Te Pego by Michel Telo. They're so catchy! :) However my most shocking view was the girls wearing American flag leggings. Do not try this at home. It isnt gonna work for you I can promise you that. For some reason wearing clothing with the flag on it is popular here. We went into one of Koen's favorite stores called Pull and Bear and in the girl's clothing section, there were flags everywhere. 


So far I like it here. It's cool living in a city and although it's a huge change from living in Boone, I love it. The people are nice and hopefully my Dutch will improve faster now that I'm forced to hear it and occasionally use it. :) It's time to watch the Olympics now so I must go but I'll post again soon!!! Ps. We may be getting a kitten this week!! :) :) :)

One day left in 'Merica

Hey guys. So upon request of several friends/family members, I have decided to start a blog for living in The Netherlands. I am pretty excited to start blogging again because a) this means I'll have more interesting stories (how can I not when I'm around Koen) and b) I just love writing these and reading them long after my trips to reminisce! 


It is the day before I leave and I haven't even finished packing yet...this is what happened last time so I guess I never learn... However, as an alternative to packing, I have decided to go spend some time in the sun before I leave for the land of rain and colder weather aka. NL. They are infamous for their gloomy and MOIST (this is for Katie) weather so I want to get as much vitamin D as possible before I surrender to the rain and frigid air over there. 


Now I don't know if anyone else has felt like this before but it seems to me that leaving the country for long periods of time forces you to become a social butterfly (in terms of meeting up to say goodbye to certain people) and in turn you receive lots of extra attention and I love it. The last few months I have spent a great deal of time with good friends and family and it makes me realize how much I am going to miss everyone and everything American..Especially Mr. Marls, my ultimate non-human companion. I love traveling and seeing the world but home means a lot to me and to leave it behind is a very difficult task. 


However, I think this will be a good thing for me and Koen too because I'll get to see things from his perspective and the Dutch business perspective which is never a bad thing! Maybe I'll learn some Dutch too if Koen follows through and posts sticky notes on everything in the apartment like I've asked.. Anyways, I'm hoping to learn a lot there and ultimately come back with a sense of what I want for the future. Duh Koen is a big part of that. But I won't get all sappy and lovey dovey on you all. :)


Ok gotta go, I'm wasting daylight so I'm signing off but I will post my address and new phone number in case anyone would like to contact me! Love you guys!