Well the first week in the Netherlands has flown by!! Been a
bit hectic trying to get all the right paperwork and what not filled out, but I
think I can almost legally work and not just volunteer here now!
I spent the first 3 night of my stay in the beautiful city
of Utrecht, which was much welcomed since it was a lot smaller than the 1
million people who live in Amsterdam. It has a bit more room to breathe and
move around in, but it still boasts about 200, 000 people.
I think the biggest thing I had to learn the first few days
is that even though I knew coming to the Netherlands, that it was a bike
country, I hadn’t realized just how serious that was! The first day as I
stumbled around the city with little sleep and food and a 7-hour time
difference, I got a few glares from a few bikers. Then I realized that I was in
fact in their bike paths and not actually on the proper walking area for the
rest of the two-legged creatures. Once
realizing this, intersections and roundabout’s were a little less confusing, I
said a little. Still trying to focus on all the lines for vehicles, bikes and
walking added to the confusion. Like my new friend Paula says, “The Netherlands
doesn’t lack any signage.” I don’t think I have ever seen a country that used
signs at any chance they can get, but compared to some of our Canadian cities –
it’s not a bad thing at all. Now if I could just understand the Dutch words on
them (I think I got most of the symbols down – for the moment anyways).
Paula also warmed me that if you do get pulled over, that
the Police car goes infront of you and no behind – so let’s hope if that
happens, I clue in to get over!
Did I mention that I bought a Campervan in the Netherlands?!
Yep – indeed I did!! The old 1990 Ford Transit with the high top for cruising
around Europe. It’s actually quite nice and sleeps comfortably. Although I have
gotten some honks on the highway, as the old beast doesn’t quite speed up like it
maybe use to and it takes a bit to get to 120kms. Yep – the first highway I
drove on was 120km/hour. I think they like to go fast here. But I have been
warned by my mechanic that as he calls them “California Stops” (slow gradual
roll more than a stop) and speeding isn’t as relaxed as back in Alberta and can
be a big fine around here. But I don’t think I’ll have a problem speeding with
the beast!
The city as you know if full of canals and old historic
buildings. The architecture is still much in tack from days before and very
well maintained. I think it’s one of the things I most enjoy. Many sections of
the roads and walkways are still covered with brick, with only the busier and
newer parts having concrete.
Walking along the canals, you can take in nature with the
green grass, flowers and trees already in bloom (not missing Canadian winter at
all!). They even provide a small trail in the bigger areas for walking dogs –
perfect for Mocha! And they have done such a good job incorporating nature in
their busy city. Even though not too many people have backyard or areas for
growing gardens – there appears to be plenty of community gardens around.
I picked the right hotel, Beurs Hotel. It was the perfect
location to walk to everything I needed to do and the staff were super helpful.
I think there was even one night where it was just I in the whole hotel, even
though there are only 10 rooms in the section I was in.
Looks like I will have to get use to these steep and winding
stairs, best to get some training in now before I have too much wine to drink
and end up going backwards down them.
Paula; a lovely women from the Netherlands entertained me
for diner the first night I was in the Netherlands. She is such a kind and
welcoming women with a lot of knowledge of her country and more than generous
to show me around. She welcomed me into
her beautiful home, where the true Canadian in me came out by asking, “How do
you get rid of your snow?” in regards to her brick-walled garden area in the
back. With her simply replying “We don’t get that much snow!” Aaaah yes, stupid
brain was definitely on at that moment, ha ha!
But never the less, she has been very helpful and I hope to
continue to get to know her further and be my temporary tour guide.
I have to admit, I think my first experience in the grocery
store – was indeed the longest time I have ever spent in a grocery store –
ever! Reading Dutch labels and comparing with products home, was very time
consuming for this English only speaking girl. But everything I brought back in
my shopping bag seemed to taste good, even the second time I purchased
groceries – so far, so good!
Oh, and the cheese – so Gouda! A huge selection and perfect
opportunity for a girl like me. Heck all the food here is pretty damn good and
super cheap, including the wine in which you can buy in the grocery store and I
think even gas stations from what I was told – but that might just be hard
alcohol. But at 4-6E ($6-8)a bottle – I
will not have a problem indulging here!
Mocha and I picked up our campervan Saturday morning and
headed out of the city to Leusden for my volunteer project on a Bamboo and
Christmas tree farm. Maneuvering through traffic was made easier by James, my
British speaking GPS dude. Thank god I bought him, I mean it! I think this may
be one of the most helpful tools for me in Europe.
I spent my first night on Saturday night in the camper at
Larik’s Hoeve a little campground, which I found out later, was only down the
road from the farm. There Mocha met her first donkeys, I think they were more
interested in her than I and she was a bit hesitant. I froze my ass of the
first night, as the super thin blanket I bought at the store just didn’t cover
the 5 degrees with humidity, but thankfully at the farm they have lent me some
blankets until I find an electric blanket or water bottle. I knew I should have
brought my heating pad, oh well.
I arrived at the farm in the late afternoon on Sunday and
was welcomed by Irvin (owner) and his daughter Lova. As well as two Swiss
volunteer girls, Jeanine and Marline. I
was quickly shown around before hopping on a bike to go to Irvin’s house just
down the street; there I met his wife Kyra. A quick ride back to set up the
camper and steel some extra blankets. Thankfully Irvin let me have Monday off
to relax and settle. Apparently that cold sleep the night before left me sleep
deprived and both Mocha and I crashed hard waking in the morning to a foggy
brain at 11am.
But the fog slowly lifted as I watched the neighbor ride her
beautiful horse in the pasture and listen to the sounds of birds singing.
(and now some photo's of Utrecht)
