Hello again! Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I have been super busy and tired adjusting to my new schedule for work. It turns out I have to get up at 6 am every morning and only have a few hours to be with Koen in the afternoons so I wanted to wait a while until I figured out when the best times are for blogging, skyping, etc.
Anyways, a lot has happened since I last blogged. The biggest being the gay pride parade that Koen, Jelle and I went to in Amsterdam! It was like nothing I've ever seen. We arrived in the city center by train and the first things I noticed were rainbows, butterflys and sunshine! Really though there were rainbows everywhere although not too many butterflys and if you know anything about Dutch weather there wasn't much sunshine either! Bhahaha kidding it was a gorgeous day. Anyways, as far as dress, I believe that the theme when you go to this parade is to wear pink too because I was noticing a lot of feminine males wearing it. It was so great. Everyone was just going crazy whether they were straight or gay.
We met up with Jelle shortly after arriving and luckily for us, he had planned ahead and brought a 12 pack of Grolsch (Dutch beer) so we wouldn't have to buy the mega expensive beer that they were selling. Aka he saved the day. We walked around for a while trying to find an opening on the canal to watch the parade from. It was probably the busiest event I've ever been to because every railing and bridge was covered with people and we still had about an hour before the parade started. Madness. Finally we found a spot right by this nice boat next to the canal. Mom would have loved this too (as usual). They were drinking fine wine and serving appetizers to everyone on their boat and had the perfect view of the canal.
A little later the boats starting coming by and if you saw my pictures, you probably have an idea of what I was seeing. Sooo great. Everyone was dressed up and the music was very European. Dad knows what I'm talking about with the same beat over and over again! Overall, it was a good time. We need more parades like that in NC. Maybe one day! :)
Anyways, works been going well. I have finally figured out the train system. It's actually quite easy once you understand where each train is going to or have the 9292.nl app on your phone. Basically you can plan your trips depending on what time you want to arrive/leave and it gives you a schedule of where to go and when! Perfect for train amateurs like me. It's a long trip to Amsterdam from here but I've learned to catch up on my reading. However, the thing I've become most proud of myself for is my relationship with the morning newspaper guy at the station. At the beginning, he would hand me a newspaper and I didn't know what to say because I didn't feel like explaining that I can't read Dutch and just take it anyways but then I had a revelation: there's a sudoku/game section that is English-speaker friendly!! So now every morning I walk by and he hands me the newspaper and says, "Goedemorgen" (Good morning) and I say it back or say "Dankjewel" (thank you). Mornings=conquered. The only annoying thing is that I have to pay cash every morning to buy my train tickets at the office and sometimes this is time consuming. They have ticket machines but unfortunately they only receive a certain type of debit card and just coins instead of bills. Cool. But once the month is over and I am reimbursed with my transportation costs (my parents will be very happy about this), I can get a discount card so I can be a pro like everyone else and scan my card super quick.
We've had a lot going on lately with all the visitors we've had (I think they're all just secretly here to see Pepi) . Koen's cousin, Bernd and his girlfriend came for a couple days and we went out in the city. My favorite bar here in town is de Witte Aap (I may be spelling this wrong) but in English its the white monkey/ape. It reminds me a little of town tavern because its kinda small and homey. It seems that here there are still a lot of students that aren't in school because when I have my days off on Wednesdays, there have been a lot of people at the bars. Until veryyyy late.
Update on Pepi: He is still his adorable self although I think he has gotten a lot bigger since we picked him up. It's hard to tell since we live with him. He is such a cuddle muffin though: he follows us around the house and his sleeping spot at night is on my head. I love it! He just visited the doctor with Koen this week and they said he's a good kitty.
For some reason living in Holland has been a little harder to get used to than living in Spain. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I can't read anything in the grocery stores (or anywhere for that matter), I travel a lot on my own (yes I'm being forced to become more independent finally), and we have a baby in the house, Pepi. It's a lot to take on but so far I'm learning a lot about myself and I think this is good for me!
Anyways, this is all I have for now. Next blog will probably be about how I now have a functioning bicycle and what it takes to survive riding it around the city of Rotterdam. Wish me luck! Love you all. Kusjes.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
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!! :) :) :)
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!! :) :) :)
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)