Shout Outs to Folks at Home

Amsterdam Adventures Continue

This post is going to feature pictures of things that remind me of home.  Maybe I saw your name somewhere or something else made me think of you, but I thought it might be entertaining...  I can't decide if I should tell you who each picture is a shout-out to, or should I make you guess?

Okay, that one was easy, Katrina.

This is a street sign.  I know someone named Bill.

Obvious.

This was the organ in the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) in Delft.  It is also the burial place of several important Dutch citizens of all occupations.  Here, I am shouting out to Joann and also Phyllis.  I thought of both of you and your beautiful talents...

This just resembles a French market stand.  It's Dutch, but hey, Mme. Q, Bon jour!

Zara is a great English clothing store.  But I had no idea there was a Zara Home!  They had beautiful linens, dinnerware and frames that I had such a hard time leaving in the store.  And a whole section of kids' silverware, including chopsticks?  Whaaaa?????  Cheers, Katelyn.

This must have been a random courthouse that we passed.  It was just tucked away on a skinny little street.  Thinking of Dad, which makes me think of my Mom, and then I think of the girls I work with... Hi!

I have to have a Coke almost daily.  Today, I shared a Coke with Willem.  Pronounced, "Villem."  Hey, Will!

We were on a train ride through the country side, and of course, when I saw a wheat field, I had to think of home....  Hey, Mister!

Shout Outs to Folks at Home

Canvas

Everyday is such a blank canvas.  There is so much to see and do here, that we usually just decide to embark upon the first endeavor that springs from one of the three of our mouths.  The culture is considerably laid-back.  Apparently, Mondays are a continuation of the weekend.  Many businesses or stores are not open at all, and those that are open, do not open until noon or later.  Things like that are helpful to know, and the kids are quite "with it" on much of the cultural aspects of the move.  Being that the locals and some of the European travelers are flying by the seat of their pants, we have found that with just a small bit of effort, we can beat the crowds.  This is high holiday season (I think it is so funny to talk like I know what I am talking about), and there are crowds.  Today's purpose was to visit the Rijksmuseum.  This is one of the big time museums in Amsterdam.  It just opened this spring after an over ten year renovation.  Ten years.  It remained partially open, but dang, I am so glad we got to see the brand new 2013 version.  Breathtaking.

This is right outside the entrance to the museum, which is in the background.  Notice there is no line of people waiting to get inside.

 Mandatory photo op for visitors to the city.  G & L are between the "m" and the "s".

The people around the sign were wild.  They were crawling all over those letters, sliding, hanging from them -- I did see a small "at your own risk" sign near them.

Here's my photo op.  Gant thought he was photobombing, but I totally wanted him in the picture.  Score.

Nice to have enough people to take pictures every which way...

I cannot say that I have ever seen art like this in my adult memory.  It truly looks like a photograph.  The depth was the most surprising aspect for me.

I could fill the page with these, really.  I took dozens of pictures in the museum and was surprised that it was even allowed.

This was an early Rembrandt.  Portrait of Maria Trip.  a.ma.zing.

This is what their view was from that window...

Notice the wide line of people on the left.  That is the queue that we did NOT have to stand in, because we went early -- shortly after they opened.  One amazing thing we noticed when we got inside was that the staff all looked like Secret Service agents.  They were super-professionally dressed, had those ear-pieces in one ear, and you could tell this wasn't their first day on the job.  We watched various museum guests approach different employees, and whatever language was spoken to them, they could completely and fluently communicate.  Really.  Did they go to college and learn 23 languages?  Could have.  Are they being paid handsomely?  I would bet they are.  It was very impressive.

The coolest interactive museum grounds I have ever seen.

The museum held many things.  This was an Yves Saint Laurent dress from 2002.  I would completely sign up to wear this today, and I would have said that before you told me it was designer.  Some items in this contemporary collection were things that when you first saw them, you might think, "I didn't realize that was considered art."  Of course it is!  Everything is a form of art.  You can quote me on that.  I quite made it up. *heavy English accent*

This jacket, or shirt, was from a German concentration camp.  That's a place that is hard for my mind to go.

These are part of the grounds out and around the museum.  People were enjoying their short summer by  relaxing in the grass.  Lots of dogs were there.

It was truly a gorgeous day, and there was more to it than just visiting the Rijksmuseum.  Too much for this post.

And here is the big sign in early afternoon, still not at its busiest, but there were tons of people.  We are loving it.  Stay tuned.

Canvas

Broadening Horizons

We ventured out of Amsterdam proper one day, and our destination was Haarlem.  It's a bit of a suburb of Amsterdam, but maybe I am just calling it that because it is probably as far as if I got in the car and drove to the ranch.  So -- it's most likely another city in the Nederlands.  Everything is so very close.

I've never been to the Harlem in the United States that first comes to mind, but I suspect it isn't much like this.

This city also has canals everywhere, and we crossed this bridge that was so cute and old, but updated. That's how everything is.  Very old, but brought up to today's needs.  Well, not everything.  It is all just so beautiful, old, and scenic, that you are tolerant and respectful of someone and how they choose to do things in their home country.

Sorry to go on and on about the beauty, but I would just like to politely say that where I live, it doesn't look like this.  Remember this spot....

The Nederlands is home base for IKEA.  Or their offices are here, or something.  Oh.  My.  Gosh.  I think we were fortunate enough to go to the mother of all IKEA's.  Definitely, the other IKEAs will have to be investigated for awesomeness, but this one was unbelievable.  None of us were interested in the Swedish meatballs in the restaurant.  It wasn't lunch or dinner time, but the word on the street of the ingredients for those is questionable for a girl married to a farmer/rancher.  Something about horse?

We did take the train back to Amsterdam Centraal, which is right near our hotel.  There we grabbed a quick bite, and it was one of those snack supper nights.  We are all still finding our local drinks of choice, but we had them with a hot plate of local appetizers and a cold plate of them, as well.

Gant loved the salami.  Les was out.  I tried it, then I was out.

This was the little plate of hots.  We quite liked most all of them, and for this night, it was just enough.  We are learning, and our guide is such a good navigator.  In a few days I might venture out by myself...

Broadening Horizons

Takin' Care of Business

It turns out that Rosetta Stone has helped the kids more than we would have known.  I am in "immersion" mode - but they have it "quite going on."

This was yesterday in Dam Square - thanks for the clarification, Uncle Wally.  It was so cold.  We were glad to see the sun, even if only for a little while.  Better get used to that, huh?

Not kidding, this is the view in nearly every direction.  It's chilly and rainy.  And their plants thrive and bloom, why???  Absolutely beautiful everywhere you go...

Beautiful scenery in every direction.  Once again, I did not pack properly because I watched and checked the weather.  I swear, I am going to stop doing that.  It's a waste of my time and effort.

Here is my shout-out to Mike.  Seriously?  A tractor pulling some kind of tank through the middle of the City Square.  Not many vehicles can drive through the square.  It isn't John Deere, but it's the right shade of green.

So back to the beauty of the area.  Unbelievable.  How did I not previously have this on my bucket list?  Shows what I know.

Once again, not my bike - you can just barely stand anywhere in Nederland without being photobombed by a bicycle.  OkYou might get run over by a bike, or bus, or a train.  We made real progress today.  Learning as we go, about the only way to do it.

Okay, so I showed you my spacious European hotel room pics yesterday.  Here's a look at the hall today.  Yep, it looks like lockers.  I'm not going to say anything.  It is what it is. It is relatively new and super clean, so I am covered.  I am exhausted, and my spelling is getting sloppy...   Cheers!

Takin' Care of Business

Oh, The Sights You Will See

Getting in late last night, this was just our first full day, and the kids are keeping me on the go.  Lots to see, and even more to learn.  Plenty of things we have to eat, too.

What a small world!  We were able to meet up with friends for lunch on our first day.  If you don't recognize the kids other than mine, you would know their dad.  He is the photographer.  The two on the right have grandparents in our hometown.  Two extra friends flew in from the States for a short visit.  Maybe the VIP father will show up in a later picture.

Here we are learning about all the transit systems that the city offers.  The kids had been working hard before we left on their Rosetta Stone Dutch lessons, so I feel we are a bit ahead of the curve.  It was a warm day, and my D.I.L. and I were both wearing long sleeves.  It was about 35 C here yesterday, add in the humidity that I don't even know how to handle, and it makes for some thirsty and weary travelers.

It is so beautiful here.  There are hundreds of streets and intersections that look exactly like this.  However, this picture doesn't show many cars, bikes or Vespas.  We saw a bike rider smash into a pedestrian.  Everyone was okay.  They are all going fast, and I'll bet we see another one or two.

We love eating out on the street, and it is not at all hard to find places to do that.  The kids are going to be so annoyed with me continuing to take pictures.  Hey, sorry.  

#itsmyjob  #you'llthankmesomeday

Oh, The Sights You Will See

Something New

This is my first attempt at a blog post from on-the-go.  Bear with me.  I may have challenging and funny things to share, but I may just end up cussing the process.  At this time, all I have is access to my iPad.

I'm not sure there is anything I love more than "going."  Anywhere.  Leaving town.  Now when I am at home, I love nothing more than being "at home."  Probably doesn't make sense, but that's how I roll.

As much as I love to travel, my frustration started out as I was super annoyed this morning when they made me gate check my carry-on, on the little puddle-jumper from Amarillo to Dallas.  Seriously?  It met every requirement.  I even put my purse in it so that I would not exceed the new "one carry-on" rule.  It would have easily fit under the seat in front of me.  I put the things I least want to lose track of in my carry-on bag.  I have a friend with a "check your carry-on" horror story.  They lost hers.  C'mon!  How do you lose a bag at the gate???  She had critical tickets, etc. in it.  It was a nightmare for her.  I was preparing my threatening melt-down speech if something happened to that bag with my jewelry and other valuables.  Lucky for them, it was there when I deplaned.  One leg down on an eight-leg journey.  Feeling confident about the next six, but that final tiny plane transfer insists on making me miserable.

Okay, so this isn't my ride, but it IS my view for the next couple of hours.  And it could possibly be my new favorite airline.  I still have a few on my bucket list, like Emirates and Virgin, and something that goes to the Far East.  Anyway, the whole flight and that part of the experience was quite near perfection.  I got off the plane speaking with a newly-acquired English accent.

Oh no, I am not afraid to travel alone.  I feel very much in my element.  See my element?  At home, if you will...

This was my first view of the tulip fields.  Uhm, no, they bloom in spring/early summer.  Guess we will have to make a return trip for that, among other things.

And here is my very much as-I-expected European hotel room.  I swear, it is the size of a closet.  Not even kidding.  Our moving and home search progress is slow.  So far, not much has gone according to plan, even though we didn't have much of a plan.  We have lots of lists...

I believe we all have working telephones now.  Check.  Citizenship card and registration - Strike.  Place to live - Strike.  But we are learning a lot.  That alone has to be progress of some kind.  Tomorrow is another day.  We are beat and haven't fully adjusted to the time and travel yet.  All is good!

Something New

Treading Water

Here is the reason I cannot blog.

This is not what your suitcases are supposed to look like when you are T minus 18 hours and rolling.  And I have three of them that all look just like this one.  

In my quest to be organized, hey, the laundry is done!  :)

The bills are paid -- to date!  :)

Work is as caught up as humanly possible.  :)

Very importantly, I have downloaded the latest top singles and put them in the appropriate playlists on my iPod.

You know how there is just so much to do that you don't know where to start?  That's where I am.

Treading Water