Blogs from Netherlands, Europe - page 336

After taking the chunnel back to Brussels and staying for a quick night and then leaving in the morning, I had arrived in Amsterdam. This is definitely another place I would live -- this city has a very cool vibe to it. I stayed with a friend of my father's (thanks Phil!) and then in a hostel for my last night. During my second day there Phil took me to two towns outside of Amsterdam along the cost called Marken and Hoorn. These towns are so precious! Here are a few pictures... ... read more

Onze reis vordert gestaag, we hebben na terugkomst Zutphen alweer tientallen kilometers afgelegd en zitten nu bij Roel & Marjolein (vrienden) in Vlaardingen-West, een mooie locatie naast de Aldi, en ook nog een speeltuin voor de deur. De afgelopen dagen zijn we opgevangen door Esther (medewerkster van de Thuiszorg in Rotterdam) en Silvijn (de broer van Lucas), die een kamer vol auto-onderdelen hadden uitgeruimd en heel goed voor ons hebben gezorgd. Vanuit dit opvangadres in Rotterdam-Zuid hebben we o.a. een excursie naar het Hoge Noorden (Zwolle) gemaakt waar Angelique een beroemde popster heeft gefotografeerd waarvan ik de naam even kwijt ben. Het was een nogal lange fotosessie omdat de ster niet helemaal tevreden was; zo was er teveel wit in zijn ogen te zien (vond hij) en zat daarna zijn petje scheef; toen hij zijn petje ... read more

Wow so much time has passed since Rome. Classes started and in between that and having the time of my life I have not had much time. Luckily I only had to take 2 classes that met 4 days a week. Other friends that I have take 4 classes that meet all 5 days and are up to their ears in homework. I took an Introduction to Celtic Studies course which took aspects of linguistics and archeology and classical literature rolled up into one stupendously hard final exam. My second class was called Present Day Dutch Society, which was basically entirely made up of foreign exchange students. It dealt with different aspects of the Dutch culture ranging from the typical stereotypes of the Netherlands to the actual drug laws, to political history, to government make up ... read more

As promised, this blog direct from Amsterdam comes courtesy of our guest author, Madeline Brady... For those who know me you will understand that my excitement wasn’t for the fact that I was about to take my first overseas trip from London but for the fact that I was at an airport and about to board a plane! Nothing’s changed. Alison, Jules, Lib and I took the short, but delayed, flight from London to Amsterdam - it was Jess Monk’s birthday and what better idea than to spend it with her, and experience a little of Amsterdam at the same time. We pretty much landed and headed straight to a bar to meet up with Jess’ friends and celebrate. It was so great to see Jess & to meet her friends, who thankfully spoke English, and ... read more

The temperature is getting closer and closer to zero degrees and the process of trees getting naked will soon be over with. As I think back of this summer of 2006 I remember some highlights that I´d like to share: June * I handed in my Master's Thesis and got top grade for it * June 7th a birth took place and for the first time Giv set his eyes on the world we are managing for him! * My dearest George (AUS), Trish (CAN) and Olivia Gorajewski (POL/SWE) honored me with their presence and attended an unforgettable pool party (see ) * The day after P-Day (the reputable pool party) ... read more