Hey! I'm here too!

Living in the Netherlands is fun and different, but it reminds me of reading something that is based on an alternate history. For instance, anywhere you go on the planet there will be a McDonalds (there may be one orbiting the planet at this point, but I can’t confirm that.) The McDonalds here have many of the same items, but also something called a Mc Kipsaté which is some sort of chicken kabob.

There is a Santa Clause that comes and brings presents in December named Sinterklaas, but it’s on the 5th and not the 25th and he doesn’t ride in a sleigh from the North Pole – he arrives on a steamboat from Spain. He is accompanied by Zwarte Piet (literally translated Black Pete) which men and woman dress up as by putting on black-face and huge afro wigs.

Most homes and offices have a microwave, but they call it a ‘magnetron’ which is much cooler.

Phones ring differently, electricity plugs are different, signs are different with some words I recognize and some completely gibberish.

All in all, I like it here. The weather is cold but the people have been generally very warm hearted. The city of Amsterdam is gorgeous; it feels like you are walking through a story-book with all the bridges and canals – especially at night with all the bridges lit up.

I started a project yesterday to try and preserve some memories of the time we are spending out in this part of the world. I’ll write more about it when I am farther along and can tell whether or not it is going to stink.

If there are any random questions about anything, please email me or leave a comment. I am so overwhelmed with trying to work and live here I am unsure about what people would like to hear me chatter about. It seems that the most information I have spread around so far is about food, drink and the bus – not exactly the most exciting.