Alex and I headed into Leiden on Saturday for a walk around, a few drinks and dinner. We took the bus and not much else - so no camera. Photos from my phone.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
My first poffertjies
(from left to right this is Becky, Pam and Deb)
There was lots to see that I hadn't on my previous visit - displays of flowers inside, including some very exotic orchids. There is a little petting zoo with goats, sheep and a donkey, and there are some cute pigs. Pam was brave enought to pet them and the one she chose to scratch his side fell on his side like a puppy when he wants his belly rubbed.
I'm including a separate video clip of one display of flowers in the shape of a large dragon - hard to capture but I gave it a shot.
While we were there, we had a couple of treats that were new to me. First, Pam and I decided to forego the tour of the big windmill to have a hot ham sandwich with sauce. This particular ham is, well, melt-in-your-mouth delicious! See the picture of Pam with said sandwich. As if that weren't enough of a treat, Pam told me that we had to try poffertjies, which are like little, tiny, puffed-up pancakes. One chooses toppings for these similar to pannekeuken - and I chose mine met chocolate and slagroom (whipped cream). Oh boy, are these things yummy!
Just as we were pulling out of the parking area, the rain began to come down. How lucky were we?
Enjoy the photos and the video I created.
Yesterday was another fun day! I joined some of my new friends in the Hague and we went back to Keukenhof. Pam is the woman who recruited me into the AWC - and she and I are becoming fast friends. Pam considers her home to be Texas. She and her husband had been living here for several years before being relocated to Venezuela, then returning to the Netherlands this past August.
Deb is the current editor of Going Dutch, and she is returning to the States (Tennesee) in May for a few months. Her husband, Harry, has been deployed to Afghanistan. Deb and I have become good friends already, and I am looking forward to her return to Holland and she hasn't even left yet! Becky is another member of AWC and, among other things, she runs the gift shop.
We were very lucky weather-wise. This glorious (and unusual) sunny, dry and warm weather has continued to bless us. The morning (and the forecast) seemed to be planning to deliver clouds and rain. Well, as we headed out the sun came out and it was a gorgeous day. We thoroughly enjoyed the gardens. We were enjoying the sounds of the giant organ grinder (I'm not sure this is the right term for this as the machine is much larger than the word conjures up in one's mind - I'll have to find out the proper name). Anyway, what a great way to capture the history and spirit of the culture...until we came back to it later in the day and the music it played was actually Bohemian Rhapsody!! It just seemed wrong on so many levels that Queen would be part of the repertoire :) Ah, well.
We were very lucky weather-wise. This glorious (and unusual) sunny, dry and warm weather has continued to bless us. The morning (and the forecast) seemed to be planning to deliver clouds and rain. Well, as we headed out the sun came out and it was a gorgeous day. We thoroughly enjoyed the gardens. We were enjoying the sounds of the giant organ grinder (I'm not sure this is the right term for this as the machine is much larger than the word conjures up in one's mind - I'll have to find out the proper name). Anyway, what a great way to capture the history and spirit of the culture...until we came back to it later in the day and the music it played was actually Bohemian Rhapsody!! It just seemed wrong on so many levels that Queen would be part of the repertoire :) Ah, well.
There was lots to see that I hadn't on my previous visit - displays of flowers inside, including some very exotic orchids. There is a little petting zoo with goats, sheep and a donkey, and there are some cute pigs. Pam was brave enought to pet them and the one she chose to scratch his side fell on his side like a puppy when he wants his belly rubbed.
I'm including a separate video clip of one display of flowers in the shape of a large dragon - hard to capture but I gave it a shot.
While we were there, we had a couple of treats that were new to me. First, Pam and I decided to forego the tour of the big windmill to have a hot ham sandwich with sauce. This particular ham is, well, melt-in-your-mouth delicious! See the picture of Pam with said sandwich. As if that weren't enough of a treat, Pam told me that we had to try poffertjies, which are like little, tiny, puffed-up pancakes. One chooses toppings for these similar to pannekeuken - and I chose mine met chocolate and slagroom (whipped cream). Oh boy, are these things yummy!
Just as we were pulling out of the parking area, the rain began to come down. How lucky were we?
Enjoy the photos and the video I created.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
My new(est) wheels
Well, I finally have a car (although I don't anticipate using it all the time - I'll need it from time to time). I made sure to get a 'green' graded car (C) with a little engine and excellent fuel economy.
This is my little Ford Fiesta (actually manufactured in Germany).
I also have a Tom Tom so I can easily navigate to places I've never been.
The car has all of 15 kilometers on it - I have only driven it from the dealership to home thus far :)
Vroom!!
Keukenhof
Some pictures of Keukenhof, the most gorgeous flower garden I have ever seen! (There is a video at the end of this post.)
Today Alex and I ventured over to Keukenhof - and we couldn't have had a more perfect day for our outing. The sun was shining, the air was warm and the sky was blue. It was warm enough to go sleeveless and wear flip flops - nice.
Keukenhof is in Lisse, and only about a 15 minute drive from our house (although admittedly the line of traffic approaching it resulted in it taking us well over an hour to get there and park). There are thousands of visitors to Keukenhof daily - particularly on a gorgeous spring Sunday.
I had posted a couple of pics of what we expected to see at Keukenhof a few posts ago - but these photos were taken by me (except, of course, those *of* me.)
Keukenhof is the most beautiful spring garden in the world. We were able to admire a breathtaking splendor of colors. It is hard to describe, even with pictures, how amazing and beautiful this place is.
Keukenhof means "Kitchen Garden." In the 15th century the area on which Keukenhof now stands was a stretch of nature owned by Jacoba van Beleren and was used for hunting, but also to gather herbs for the kitchen at the castle.
In 1857, the landscape architech Zocher designed the gards around the castle Keukenhof. This glorious park is based on the English landscape he designed.
A group of bulb growers and exporters first came up with the idea of presenting a flower exhibition at Keukenhof in 1949.
Today, 93 Royal Warrant Holders ensure that the most beautiful bulb flowers are on display every year. This year Keukenhof hosts its 59th exhibition.
A few interesting things about Keukenhof:
*Keukenhof is unique and famous throughout the world
*It is one of the most popular attractions in the Netherlands
*It is the largest bulb flower park in the world
*4.5 million tulips and 100 varieties
*It covers an area of 32 hectares (that's just over 79 acres!)
*It is one of the most photographed places in the world
*It is the largest sculpture park in the Netherlands
*7 million flower bulbs - planted by hand
*More than 2,500 trees in 87 varieties
Keukenhof is open from late March to late May each year. I plan to visit again before it closes this year. The flowers that are in bloom vary during this period, and although we were there for most of the day, I have not seen all of the displays.
I've tried to capture our day in this video I assembled, but one really has to be there to really appreciate the stunning beauty of the park. The first couple of shots are on 'the road to Keukenhof' which is quite spectacular as well, as one passes fields and fields of blooming flowers. I'll try to get some good shots of these another time. Also, typical of the Netherlands, flowering bulbs are plentiful on the roadsides, just seemingly growing wild (perhaps some of the bulbs from the nearby fields get blown to these areas when the winds are high???) Whatever the case, even the roadside is quite pretty.
Enjoy!
Welcome to Wassenaar
On Thursday morning I was invited to a welcome basket presentation at the old palace "De Paauw" where I joined a group of almost 30 newcomers to Wassenaar for coffee and tea (and cookies!) in a beautiful room at the palace, and a large gift basket of really nice items from local shops and vendors in Wassenaar (gift certificates, silver candle sticks, champagne, 'footie'ball, yummy treats, and more). This picture is of me with Courtney Smith van Rij, the woman who has put together this program, and who is a an active and well-known member of the community. I was the newest of the newcomers, but apparently more acclimated to the community than many - knowing a bit of Dutch, having a proper bicycle, having used public transport, etc. Courtney was particularly impressed that not only had I walked to the gathering, but that I am already equipped with my little 'granny cart' for toting things back from the market - so much so that this picture will appear on this week's newspaper Wassenaarse Krant.
This second picture is a stock photo of the palace - I am not sure how to get to this particular spot in town which shows the private side of the palace - will find it on foot/bike. On the side from which I took my photo is a large front 'lawn' which has been designated as a dog park.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Getting the hang of it
This is grease cleaner (not anything to do with cleaning pet messes - which is what I'd thought). It was already under the sink when we arrived. Incidentally, a variation of one of the word meaning 'to clean thoroughly' can also mean 'blow job'...
This is the pea soup which I'll have with dinner this evening. Lots of soups come in this envelope packaging rather than a tin can...
These are 'double-white' tulips - one of many vases of flowers throughout our home.
Corn starch
Ok, you know what these are :)
Tuna - not sure if this is light or dark - in water or in oil...Alex bought it. I'm sticking with Bumble Bee albacore in spring water!
To market, to market....
Toilet cleaner - and *not* toilet cleaner - can you see where it can be confusing?
Some things I have learned and/or that you might find interesting:
Ham and cheese (spek and kaas I think), cheese and ham, cheese and cheese, ham and ham... Ham and cheese and pea soup are very traditional Dutch foods. You know, I have trouble finding any chicken (kip) on the menus here - and I have to go the slager (butcher) to get bone-in/skin-on breasts (which is my favorite form of chix) -- there are also supposed to be poeliers (poultry shops) here - but I haven't found one yet. There are a number of broenteboer (greengrocer), bakkerij and kaasspecialist (cheese specialist) shops as well.
Some other tidbits I've discovered -- baking soda is purchased at the apotheek (which is much less busy than CVS as the Dutch doctors tend to prescribe things like hot lemon, aspirin, tea and rest for most ailments :) Your family doctor (huisart), by the way, lives right in your neighborhood - in part because they make housecalls - no kidding. When I phoned a doctor in Wassenaar to register (which 'they' recommend you do as soon as you arrive) - they referred me to the doctor who handles my postcode. His office is about a block away (and is not only in a residential area, but in an actual house).
Another interesting cultural thing is that if you take an evening stroll you can see what folks are doing inside their homes. People leave their curtains open until they go to bed (although not in the bedrooms where they're closed once the lights go on). The Dutch don't feel self-conscious about what goes on behind their front door. The rule is doe maar gewoon, dan doe je gek genoeg - act normal and you will be acting crazy enough. This boils down to modesty - act modestly, live modestly; don't buy expensive cars, don't have airs, decorate your home simply, and "don't do anything I wouldn't do." If you close your curtains, you probably have something to hide. Interesting, huh? I love it because it gives me license to be a peeping Thomasina -- I LOVE looking in people's windows at night.
Note - a product labelled "Vanish!" (pink and blue liquid) is not toilet cleaner - but laudry detergent...:O) Look for the ingredient 'blek' - which is bleach - and pictures on the back of toilets, and maybe a drawing of a duck on the front of the bottle and you'll have the right thing. If you bring a Dutch to English dictionary to the market, you might find what you need (or not) - but without it - you might have to guess at some things...
My last educational note for the day -- the Dutch tend to string together lots of words as one (strippenkart is the ticket strip I use for the bus and tram, kaasspecialist is another example)- although these are short words. For a few things I needed to get my uittreksel bevolkingsregister - the letter that shows I've applied for residency. Life insurance company is - get this - levensverzekeringsmaatschappijen!
This is the pea soup which I'll have with dinner this evening. Lots of soups come in this envelope packaging rather than a tin can...
These are 'double-white' tulips - one of many vases of flowers throughout our home.
Corn starch
Ok, you know what these are :)
Tuna - not sure if this is light or dark - in water or in oil...Alex bought it. I'm sticking with Bumble Bee albacore in spring water!
To market, to market....
Toilet cleaner - and *not* toilet cleaner - can you see where it can be confusing?
Well, I haven't yet mastered the art of taking my own picture - so you'll have to visualize me on my bicycle, complete with bell and basket, wearing a long skirt and boots, pashmina wrapped around my neck "European style" - basket full of bread, cheese and wine (this should be easy!). I've learned to ring my little bell when approaching pedestrians that don't know I'm behind them (a signal for them to GET OUT OF THE WAY). You might be tempted to hum the tune from The Wizard of Oz used whenever you see Mrs. Gulch riding her bike...
It can be a bit hairy with narrow roads and a busy time of day. It is easy to understand how one could get injured fairly easily between the cars, other bicycles, construction, delivery trucks and pedestrians.
After I brought the groceries home, I strapped the bag of paper recycling and empty glass bottles to the bike and wheeled it to the nearby church where one can recycle these items, as well as clothing (which typically gets sent to a neighboring eastern bloc country to be distributed to poor folks there).
And a final note for today - I successfully ordered my lunch in Dutch today. I also used the self-checkout at the market - without leaving the receipt at the bottom of my goods as one needs it to open the exit gate. I think I'm getting the hang of it!
It can be a bit hairy with narrow roads and a busy time of day. It is easy to understand how one could get injured fairly easily between the cars, other bicycles, construction, delivery trucks and pedestrians.
After I brought the groceries home, I strapped the bag of paper recycling and empty glass bottles to the bike and wheeled it to the nearby church where one can recycle these items, as well as clothing (which typically gets sent to a neighboring eastern bloc country to be distributed to poor folks there).
And a final note for today - I successfully ordered my lunch in Dutch today. I also used the self-checkout at the market - without leaving the receipt at the bottom of my goods as one needs it to open the exit gate. I think I'm getting the hang of it!
Some things I have learned and/or that you might find interesting:
Ham and cheese (spek and kaas I think), cheese and ham, cheese and cheese, ham and ham... Ham and cheese and pea soup are very traditional Dutch foods. You know, I have trouble finding any chicken (kip) on the menus here - and I have to go the slager (butcher) to get bone-in/skin-on breasts (which is my favorite form of chix) -- there are also supposed to be poeliers (poultry shops) here - but I haven't found one yet. There are a number of broenteboer (greengrocer), bakkerij and kaasspecialist (cheese specialist) shops as well.
Some other tidbits I've discovered -- baking soda is purchased at the apotheek (which is much less busy than CVS as the Dutch doctors tend to prescribe things like hot lemon, aspirin, tea and rest for most ailments :) Your family doctor (huisart), by the way, lives right in your neighborhood - in part because they make housecalls - no kidding. When I phoned a doctor in Wassenaar to register (which 'they' recommend you do as soon as you arrive) - they referred me to the doctor who handles my postcode. His office is about a block away (and is not only in a residential area, but in an actual house).
Another interesting cultural thing is that if you take an evening stroll you can see what folks are doing inside their homes. People leave their curtains open until they go to bed (although not in the bedrooms where they're closed once the lights go on). The Dutch don't feel self-conscious about what goes on behind their front door. The rule is doe maar gewoon, dan doe je gek genoeg - act normal and you will be acting crazy enough. This boils down to modesty - act modestly, live modestly; don't buy expensive cars, don't have airs, decorate your home simply, and "don't do anything I wouldn't do." If you close your curtains, you probably have something to hide. Interesting, huh? I love it because it gives me license to be a peeping Thomasina -- I LOVE looking in people's windows at night.
Note - a product labelled "Vanish!" (pink and blue liquid) is not toilet cleaner - but laudry detergent...:O) Look for the ingredient 'blek' - which is bleach - and pictures on the back of toilets, and maybe a drawing of a duck on the front of the bottle and you'll have the right thing. If you bring a Dutch to English dictionary to the market, you might find what you need (or not) - but without it - you might have to guess at some things...
My last educational note for the day -- the Dutch tend to string together lots of words as one (strippenkart is the ticket strip I use for the bus and tram, kaasspecialist is another example)- although these are short words. For a few things I needed to get my uittreksel bevolkingsregister - the letter that shows I've applied for residency. Life insurance company is - get this - levensverzekeringsmaatschappijen!
Windsor Castle
Another great day in the UK - Di took half a day off (she, unfortunately, almost *never* takes time off!) to take me to Windsor Castle. Although I've spent a fair amount of time just down the road from this amazing Royal Residence, and my family and friends have visited - I had never been.
(ok - maybe a bit too Burberry for London??)
We had a blustery but sunny and clear day to enjoy our visit - and do a bit of shopping :)
A cool tidbit - my mother-in-law and I now have a matching charm of the round tower at Windsor as a momento of a fun girls' day out!
And another aside - Altar Ego in Wycome
That's my father-in-law on the left
Before we got to Holland, we stopped in the UK to visit my in-laws. Alex headed here first to begin his job. Anyway, during the time we were there, my father in law's band (Altar
Ego - as they play at their local church quite frequently) had a gig - his last in Wycombe as they are retiring to Wales. My father-in-law (Ray) and I frequently sing together when we're all home having a few pints. He plays guitar and I sing along with him while Alex and my mother-in-law (Di) hang out with us - and roll their eyes at each other as Ray and I sing just about every song in his songbook :)
Ego - as they play at their local church quite frequently) had a gig - his last in Wycombe as they are retiring to Wales. My father-in-law (Ray) and I frequently sing together when we're all home having a few pints. He plays guitar and I sing along with him while Alex and my mother-in-law (Di) hang out with us - and roll their eyes at each other as Ray and I sing just about every song in his songbook :)
Well, I was invited to be part of this very special event, and Ray and I picked out a couple of songs that I could sing. As it turned out, I was invited to sing (mostly backup with a solo performance of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow") with the band for the entire performance. What a treat!
And it might interest you to know that just after this evening, I had laryngitis for a week (which I'm sure was appreciated by Alex and my in-laws - you all know I can be a bit of a Chatty Cathy)!! If it had been even one more evening, it would have been a bust for me.
Thanks Dad!
An aside
Just in case you're worried that I'm not the silly, bumbling Leslie that you know - I'll reveal to you one of the more embarrassing moments of my entry to the Netherlands...
On the first Saturday we were here, we had had a late night on the Friday and after spending our entire afternoon trying to get to the shops before 5pm, we were tired and desperate for a quick meal. So we went to good ol' McDonalds. Easy enough, right?
Well, when I went to the ladies toilet I locked the door, did my business - and then couldn't get out of the stall!! The door lock was most definitely jammed. The stall, by the way, is floor to ceiling and very cramped. Did I panic? Of course :)
I should have thought to use my mobile phone to call Alex and let him know I had a problem.
Instead I began shouting for help and banging on the door. There was no one else in the ladies' room at the time, but within minutes (probably seconds) I could hear that someone was out there - and I shouted for help again and explained that the door was locked and I wasn't able to get out.
Whoever this woman was, she said she would get help and returned quickly to tell me that they were aware of the problem and they would get me out. I continued to try to open the door (and feel panicked) and I was told "you need to calm down." Shortly thereafter, the a security officer unlocked the door and set me free.
Alex had wondered what had taken me so long...and was quite entertained by my dilemma.
I now have a fear of locking any toilet door in Holland...
So, you know that I'm still the Leslie you know and, hopefully, love :)
On the first Saturday we were here, we had had a late night on the Friday and after spending our entire afternoon trying to get to the shops before 5pm, we were tired and desperate for a quick meal. So we went to good ol' McDonalds. Easy enough, right?
Well, when I went to the ladies toilet I locked the door, did my business - and then couldn't get out of the stall!! The door lock was most definitely jammed. The stall, by the way, is floor to ceiling and very cramped. Did I panic? Of course :)
I should have thought to use my mobile phone to call Alex and let him know I had a problem.
Instead I began shouting for help and banging on the door. There was no one else in the ladies' room at the time, but within minutes (probably seconds) I could hear that someone was out there - and I shouted for help again and explained that the door was locked and I wasn't able to get out.
Whoever this woman was, she said she would get help and returned quickly to tell me that they were aware of the problem and they would get me out. I continued to try to open the door (and feel panicked) and I was told "you need to calm down." Shortly thereafter, the a security officer unlocked the door and set me free.
Alex had wondered what had taken me so long...and was quite entertained by my dilemma.
I now have a fear of locking any toilet door in Holland...
So, you know that I'm still the Leslie you know and, hopefully, love :)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Home sweet home
Our digs in Wassenaar
The eating nook in the kitchen - which is the front of the house/streetside.
Our frog fountain
Our frog fountain
The dining area (living and dining are one large room)
The back garden with and without snow!
From the back
Our treacherous staircase - main floor looking up
(Kitchen - in case it isn't obvious)
The back garden with and without snow!
From the back
Our treacherous staircase - main floor looking up
(Kitchen - in case it isn't obvious)
Another view of the staircase (left) and the hallway leading from the front/kitchen area to the living area (right)
Living area with fireplace so Alex can, in his words, "burn stuff"
Living area with fireplace so Alex can, in his words, "burn stuff"
Many of you have asked for some pictures of our new humble abode - here are the living areas and our pretty garden - complete with frog fountain :)
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