I wrote this post a month ago, but it is strangely in synch with today’s forecast, at least weather wise. It was a gorgeous day: sun out, warm, an ever so slight breeze rustling the trees, and it was my day off. But I wasn’t feeling so gorgeous myself, clad in faded 501s, an oldContinue reading “Whew hew! Really?”
Category Archives: Americans in Holland
Is there a distance threshold for friendships?
When I moved abroad the first time around (Amsterdam 2004), it felt like a European adventure. I had only been to Europe once before and for a measly three weeks, not nine months. My U.S. friends were keen to hear about my adventures and when I moved back Stateside less than a year later, I picked up where I left off.Continue reading “Is there a distance threshold for friendships?”
Havana, Deventer, Apes and Cousins
When I was in my mid-twenties, I worked for a short stint as a museum travel program assistant. Although most of my hours were spent in a tiny office doing paperwork and taking reservations, on a few occasions I actually got to travel. The most exciting of my journeys was to Cuba with two dozen wealthy clients,Continue reading “Havana, Deventer, Apes and Cousins”
City, Forest, Luck, Love
This morning I left the house for an early morning appointment on my two-wheeled transportation and entered bike path rush hour. I still can’t get used to seeing men and women in business attire and fancy shoes peddling along, some with children on the front or back of the bicycle en route to school dropContinue reading “City, Forest, Luck, Love”
Angolan Sun
I awoke Monday morning before the alarm went off with a strange sensation; energy. I had slept well three nights in a row, and was experiencing a clarity of mind I hadn’t even realized was missing. I was focused and productive at work, I understood almost all of the Dutch that was thrown my way,Continue reading “Angolan Sun”
I’ve been Prined and I’ve been Schooled
Saturday, an Indonesian church rented our building to hold their church service. A crew of young members arrived early to set everything up, and a young boy, no older than eight or nine, was standing in the hall, looking a bit bored. He came to the counter and I expected him to order a “Chocomel”Continue reading “I’ve been Prined and I’ve been Schooled”
The Crazy Dutch: December 31st
Sadie, my brother’s late dog, trembled every time she heard a bang. She would have gone berserk today if she was on a visit to the Netherlands. When we awoke this morning in The Hague, the fireworks had already started. The Dutch ignore any rules and safety standards and people of all ages and demographicsContinue reading “The Crazy Dutch: December 31st”
Cold
If you live in the Netherlands, you have probably opted out of reading this post; your ears are icy and red, that little toe in your right boot is going numb and your lungs are working over time processing the chilly air as you walk toward your bicycle or leave the office for the tram.Continue reading “Cold”
Flexing your language muscles
I go to the gym a few times a week to keep myself sane and healthy. Another benefit of going to the gym as an expat is that most of the time, the classes are taught in Dutch. Words that you might not otherwise encounter in daily conversation “buikspieren” (stomach muscles), “sleutelbeen” (collar bone), areContinue reading “Flexing your language muscles”
Scheveningen, Oprah, Deepak and Ezra
Today was a day of taking other people’s suggestions to heart. This morning, I read an email that my friend Alice Tropper forwarded about a 21-day meditation organized by Oprah and Deepak Chopra. I barely read the forwarded email before I came to my conclusion; sure, why not? I could use some meditation. Click ThenContinue reading “Scheveningen, Oprah, Deepak and Ezra”
kristininholland 