Tuesday, June 26, 2012
What's new
A few days ago My friend and I went to a place in schevenigen called tiki but or something like that. It was super cool, right on the ocean and has little tiki like hits over the tables. Also they handsome fire pits with lounge couches with big pillows around and covering it. Reminds me of a cross between an indoor ski lodge and someone's college house, but add it being right on the beach too with a little mexican mixed in with the masks on the walls. After that we went and checked out a big long pier that was enclosed and went out over the water. At the end we wet on the rooftop and got a better view from there. It was super windy, not very warm, but sunny at least!! :) I found the first sort of indoor 'mall' you might call it since I got here.
I successfully found some good postcards as well.
Closer to home I discovered the cutest little bakery with the most delicious homemade sweet treats and it's only about a 20 minute walk. There is a little fruit stand as well- the area used to have a lot more local shops but unfortunately they have gone under the past little while. It's too bad because the square would have been like its own main town square if it had more shops. There I also a little green space and some benches in the middle.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Schedule is coming around
This morning I went on my morning walk to the sea... I actually ran a large part of it! when I got back home I went down to visit Wendy and ended up going to an event at the sports school with lots of blowup obstacle courses. After that, I did some work on my planning for my trip. I have a tentative route now and am growing more excited with every planning session that leads up to more adventures and seeing friends I haven't see in years!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Shelby
Ok, a lot of you know but some of you don't..please keep my cousin in your thoughts and her family the next few months. On her 15th birthday (a few months ago) she went to the dentist because she thought she had a toothache. Little did she know it was much more than that...she ended up having to go to a series of other doctor's and found out she had tongue cancer (it started to spread and then happened very rapidly). Besides being one of the youngest people ever to be found with it (no drinking, smoking, neither do her parents etc.)....within a very short amount of time the swelling got so bad she could barely eat, swallow, talk, anything. Luckily (with my Aunt's skills) they got her into surgery sooner than later. They had to remove almost all of her tongue, she now has a feeding tube and she is working on being able to talk again...she is strong and I know she can do it! Hang in there Shel!! You are a fighter and I know that in the next weeks ahead, even with radiation and chemo that you are a fighter and will make it!! Look how much you have already proved the doctors wrong!! I love you and am thinking of you all the time!! You can do it girl, I know you can! Keep that attitude up because You Can Do It!! :) Love you!
4 Days in Amsterdam- First Big City exploration
This week and I went to Amsterdam Friday night. The weather was kind of rainy so I went to the store and picked up a few groceries and walked around a little bit. Friday night I hung out at home and relaxed with a glass of wine so I could have a nice early start the next morning.
Saturday morning I went to the Anne Frank house, I only ended up waiting maybe 20 minutes to get in (I arrived by 10:00) by the time I figured out which tram to take and then walk from there, which it wasn't very far. After that, I then walked the "nine streets." I saw a lot of unique little shops and by the time I ended up getting home, it was around 6. I had to nap with all the walking around I did, and then Saturday night I ended up finding a couch surfing bar event at Cafe de Vergulde Gaper (near Central Station and the Heineken Experience). It was a cozy little pub, and I ended up meeting other travelers from around the world- Tiago and Alexandre (Portugal), Jenny (England), Sylvie (Lithuania), Diana (DC), Andrey (Russia), and some people from Finland.
Sunday morning I went to the Van Gogh Museum with Diana and Jenny- a lot bigger than I had imagined. The exhibit included photos by people that gave Van Gogh's inspiration, along with ones painted by himself. Also, it was interesting to learn that some of the people who work at the museum today are relatives of his! How neat is that, keeping the family business after all this time. After the museum, Jenny and I picked up a few things for a picnic at Vondelpark (I spent 5 Euro- we even got some Heineken beer for .53 euro each...it was a dark one, very delicious and good to enjoy in the park, especially with how amazing the weather was- very sunny, everyone was out and about- bikes and clusters of people every 10 feet or so. The picnic started out with just the two of us, gradually aiming more and more people- we told a few people, and then they called some people, and so the chain continued. By the end we had about 20 people for our picnic (good turnout for such an impromptu event!). That night Holland played Portugal for football (or if you prefer, American Soccer). Unfortunately, Holland did not win but still it was great to see so many supporters out to watch the game. The people in Europe I think are crazier for soccer than American football fans!! The streets were decorated with tons of orange banners all across lamp post to lamp post, huge inflatable socce balls were hung everywhere, in some places people even paint their houses orange! Everyone wears anything orange that they can get their hands on, lots of face paint as well- the Netherlands colors are red, white, and blue as well... they usually do the flag on their face, each color is a horizontal stripe. Also, the fans are of all ages- there was a family in the bar with a child as young as about 3 to grandma and grandpas even!
Monday morning it was raining when I awoke. Luckily by about 10:30 when I was about to head out of the apartment for my day it stopped. I went to the Amsterdam Bibliothekka... Totally amazing. The biggest library I have ever been to! They have hanging glowing art from the ceiling, kind of like amoeba shaped, or like modern art 'snowflake' type sculptures. One of the floors that lends out music has relaxing music playing on that floor. As the morning went on, I'm pretty sure they had an actual person inside playing the piano (I believe they rotate different local artists that play a few days a month there).
Saturday morning I went to the Anne Frank house, I only ended up waiting maybe 20 minutes to get in (I arrived by 10:00) by the time I figured out which tram to take and then walk from there, which it wasn't very far. After that, I then walked the "nine streets." I saw a lot of unique little shops and by the time I ended up getting home, it was around 6. I had to nap with all the walking around I did, and then Saturday night I ended up finding a couch surfing bar event at Cafe de Vergulde Gaper (near Central Station and the Heineken Experience). It was a cozy little pub, and I ended up meeting other travelers from around the world- Tiago and Alexandre (Portugal), Jenny (England), Sylvie (Lithuania), Diana (DC), Andrey (Russia), and some people from Finland.
Sunday morning I went to the Van Gogh Museum with Diana and Jenny- a lot bigger than I had imagined. The exhibit included photos by people that gave Van Gogh's inspiration, along with ones painted by himself. Also, it was interesting to learn that some of the people who work at the museum today are relatives of his! How neat is that, keeping the family business after all this time. After the museum, Jenny and I picked up a few things for a picnic at Vondelpark (I spent 5 Euro- we even got some Heineken beer for .53 euro each...it was a dark one, very delicious and good to enjoy in the park, especially with how amazing the weather was- very sunny, everyone was out and about- bikes and clusters of people every 10 feet or so. The picnic started out with just the two of us, gradually aiming more and more people- we told a few people, and then they called some people, and so the chain continued. By the end we had about 20 people for our picnic (good turnout for such an impromptu event!). That night Holland played Portugal for football (or if you prefer, American Soccer). Unfortunately, Holland did not win but still it was great to see so many supporters out to watch the game. The people in Europe I think are crazier for soccer than American football fans!! The streets were decorated with tons of orange banners all across lamp post to lamp post, huge inflatable socce balls were hung everywhere, in some places people even paint their houses orange! Everyone wears anything orange that they can get their hands on, lots of face paint as well- the Netherlands colors are red, white, and blue as well... they usually do the flag on their face, each color is a horizontal stripe. Also, the fans are of all ages- there was a family in the bar with a child as young as about 3 to grandma and grandpas even!
Monday morning it was raining when I awoke. Luckily by about 10:30 when I was about to head out of the apartment for my day it stopped. I went to the Amsterdam Bibliothekka... Totally amazing. The biggest library I have ever been to! They have hanging glowing art from the ceiling, kind of like amoeba shaped, or like modern art 'snowflake' type sculptures. One of the floors that lends out music has relaxing music playing on that floor. As the morning went on, I'm pretty sure they had an actual person inside playing the piano (I believe they rotate different local artists that play a few days a month there).
Saturday, June 9, 2012
First Peek at Amsterdam
Today I visited Amsterdam for the first time :)
We arrived in the early afternoon and I took a small tour of the area, had lunch, visited a few beautiful churches (I will fill in the names later). Also, I had my first drink in a pub in Europe! Yeyy, I made it! :) There are so many places to see and explore n the city, along with museums, historical landmarks, fun little shops and restaurants and pubs, etc... <3
When we were in the square Else and I played two others at fooseball and got orange lion head hats to wear to "give us luck." They also had a bachelor party with men from Germany where you pay 1 euro and get to shoot two soccer balls at the groom- you can either be nice and choose to put them through the holes on each side when he hold up his arms (he was wearing a special suit) or just get him with it if you choose, as a joke. It was pretty funny! Also, as soon as I took my lion head hair off, some random guy came up and put another one on me then ran away haha. I guess there's no use fighting the spirit here! I kept it on until we go to the tram stop...
The football game was on and fans here are definitely loyal supporters- everyone had SOMETHING orange on, if not to the extreme (tiger/ lion suits. crazy orange hair, and weird funky hat you can think of, etc). It was awesome! They played Poland- unfortunately they didn't win the match but they play again on Wednesday against Germany so I really hope they do win (also my birthday)!
We arrived in the early afternoon and I took a small tour of the area, had lunch, visited a few beautiful churches (I will fill in the names later). Also, I had my first drink in a pub in Europe! Yeyy, I made it! :) There are so many places to see and explore n the city, along with museums, historical landmarks, fun little shops and restaurants and pubs, etc... <3
When we were in the square Else and I played two others at fooseball and got orange lion head hats to wear to "give us luck." They also had a bachelor party with men from Germany where you pay 1 euro and get to shoot two soccer balls at the groom- you can either be nice and choose to put them through the holes on each side when he hold up his arms (he was wearing a special suit) or just get him with it if you choose, as a joke. It was pretty funny! Also, as soon as I took my lion head hair off, some random guy came up and put another one on me then ran away haha. I guess there's no use fighting the spirit here! I kept it on until we go to the tram stop...
The football game was on and fans here are definitely loyal supporters- everyone had SOMETHING orange on, if not to the extreme (tiger/ lion suits. crazy orange hair, and weird funky hat you can think of, etc). It was awesome! They played Poland- unfortunately they didn't win the match but they play again on Wednesday against Germany so I really hope they do win (also my birthday)!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Rainy Beginnings
So yesterday we all went and visited Futureland. They are making more land in Holland to increase their port. It is by Rotterdam, which we also saw where it was and then went to a little town outside Rotterdam and had lunch at a traditional Dutch cafe. I tried croquets and they were so good! (it is a traditional dutch food- a fried tube with meat and filling that resembles a mashed potato consistency- Also a Heineken).
We walked around the area and saw all the shops and the houses- they are so cute- smaller than US ones but all uniform and lovely. Most all of them have some type of flowers in the front window. Very picturesque town. Also, we visited a chocolate shoppe with very lovely specialty chocolates. At night I made my first Dutch pancake- a to thinner than the ones in the US I am used to, but I like these better. When I am back I will be sure to make some for my friends!
Today has been pretty rainy although as soon as we picked up Char from school the sun came out. It was a very computer productive day... updated my blogs, wrote some emails, started putting my travel ideas onto paper which needed to be done. Also, found out about ParkPop (Europe's biggest free music festival) which is hosted here on June 24th. I want to go! Also, I looked on a map at the places we will be going in France! So exciting!
Tonight we will have an international dinner (E's friend from Australia just got in today). Tomorrow is expecting better weather so then I will go to the tourist office and probably walk around that area, take some photos, possibly grab a cup of tea somewhere as well.
Until then....
Friday, June 1, 2012
Welkom to Das Haag
Goodbye USA, hello Europe!!! And Charlotte, Else, and Lucas! So, I made it :) I flew Thursday out of Syracuse and had a connecting flight in Philadelphia. I had a one hour layover and then had an overnight flight to Amsterdam. It was a nice and smooth transition and no flight problems thank goodness.
The time difference in European countries is 6 hours ahead of the US so I ended up arriving at 8:20am in Netherlands time. I didn't sleep more than 2 hours on the trip here, and am making myself stay awake until tonight to get rid of jet lag the fastest. I was also told that if you take melatonin before you go to sleep once you are in a different time zone than you are used to, it helps you sleep through so you can get your body back on schedule faster. We will see! I know when I hit the pillow tonight I will definitely sleep through the night.
Else and Charlotte picked me up from the airport this morning and even brought a thoughtful balloon with "Welkom Thius" written on it (Welcome Home). It was so sweet! On the drive back from the airport, I saw where the Royal Family lived (we passed it driving) as well as her school, a nice little area with shops, an American School, "Mini world" (Charlotte is telling me what it's called but I can't spell it), and a few other attractions.
I moved my stuff into the house and got settled in. I met a friend from town of Else and Char's and she speaks english which is lovely as well. I tried a koffee candy as well as a bite of licorice that the Dutch are famous for I was told. Also, brown bread with hahosa (sp- like chocolate sprinkles but taste a lot better) on toast. We went to a tennis club and watched Lotje's tennis lesson and now we are relaxing here. So far it has been a great day! The weather is a bit chilly, about 54F ish but in the sun it warms up.
It is beautiful here!! The houses are very cute too!
The time difference in European countries is 6 hours ahead of the US so I ended up arriving at 8:20am in Netherlands time. I didn't sleep more than 2 hours on the trip here, and am making myself stay awake until tonight to get rid of jet lag the fastest. I was also told that if you take melatonin before you go to sleep once you are in a different time zone than you are used to, it helps you sleep through so you can get your body back on schedule faster. We will see! I know when I hit the pillow tonight I will definitely sleep through the night.
Else and Charlotte picked me up from the airport this morning and even brought a thoughtful balloon with "Welkom Thius" written on it (Welcome Home). It was so sweet! On the drive back from the airport, I saw where the Royal Family lived (we passed it driving) as well as her school, a nice little area with shops, an American School, "Mini world" (Charlotte is telling me what it's called but I can't spell it), and a few other attractions.
I moved my stuff into the house and got settled in. I met a friend from town of Else and Char's and she speaks english which is lovely as well. I tried a koffee candy as well as a bite of licorice that the Dutch are famous for I was told. Also, brown bread with hahosa (sp- like chocolate sprinkles but taste a lot better) on toast. We went to a tennis club and watched Lotje's tennis lesson and now we are relaxing here. So far it has been a great day! The weather is a bit chilly, about 54F ish but in the sun it warms up.
It is beautiful here!! The houses are very cute too!
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