Hello My Friends!

This past weekend Dave and I took a day trip to Germany.  While there we visited the Koln (Cologne) Cathedral.  Tremendously tall and of course the inside was beautiful with beautiful sculptures everywhere you turned.  Construction began in the 1200s and it wasn’t completed until the 1800s!  It is also one of the largest cathedrals in the world and the largest gothic church in Northern Europe.  It was very inspiring.  The day was finished with a very rainy drive back to Amsterdam.

On Sunday, we decided to join one of the women I met at the American Women’s Club and her husband for brunch.  It was “Brunch Weekend” in Amsterdam since it is not a meal that they normally have.  We went to a seafood restaurant out on the water and had a delightful time.  The meal was incredible as was the wine and the company.  On our way back home we enjoyed walking along the waterfront to the Central Station to catch the tram.  It rained the whole time we were eating but when we left it was sunny and beautiful which made for a great walk.  We also enjoyed their company last night at their home for dinner.  Maria is from Guadalajara and wanted to fix us traditional Albondigas Soup.  All I can say is YUM and we had another delightful evening with Maria and her husband, Joseph.

Since the Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays are not really celebrated here in Amsterdam – other than the Americans living here – they have begun putting up holiday lights on our street.  It looks like it will be beautiful when they complete it.  The reason they begin so early putting decorations up is that they celebrate Saint Nicholas or Sinterklaas coming into town on November 14th.  Below is a small description of the holiday.

Saint Nicholas arrives to Amsterdam by ship and upon landing, rides on a white horse through the city center in a festive parade.  Large crowds of children greet him and his entourage – as he is usually surrounded by no less than 500 Black Peter servants, 10 marching bands and hundreds of festive marchers.  The parade culminates with the mayor of Amsterdam welcoming Saint Nicholas.  According to the tradition, during the weeks after, Saint Nicholas stays in town and is more important than any civic authority.  Saint Nicolas arrival begins also a festive shopping time in the Netherlands, which lasts until 5th of December, the eve of Saint Nicholas Day, as on this the day Sinterklaas leaves treats for the children and adults give the seasons gifts.  In the modern consumer society, this period extends in Amsterdam until Christmas day, or even longer – up to first days of January in the New Year.  It sounds as if December is a very joyous month here in Amsterdam.

Well today is cleaning day so I am off to do a little dusting and sweeping, and maybe read a little of the book I am reading right now.  The day is pretty cloudy but no rain.  I will also take a little walk to get some stamps to send a few postcards and notes.

Hugs!

Yes, it is IKEA!

It seems that it is the place to go here for everything.  It was furnished for us so now trying to add a few personal touches but I didn't bring much over with me so I will have to gather a few things at a time.  Even the picture behind the bed!  We are lucky though - we were told we could hang anything we want on the walls.  So we will put some of Dave's artwork up soon.

Our Apartment

The Kitchen, Living and Dining Room are all one big room.

The Master Bedroom has a great view and so does the Spare Room.

Another weekend

I know everyone wants to hear about my life in Amsterdam but – I just finished the most incredible book.  It’s called The Art of Racing in the Rain – written in a dog’s perspective of life.  There were tears, joy, laughter, sadness, more tears and hope.  I would recommend it especially to anyone who loves dogs, if you enjoy race cars or if you just enjoy a creative story.

Friday afternoon we went to the Rijks Museum where there is an extensive Rembrandt collection.  We saw many famous paintings of his and also Vermeer’s Milk Maiden, which had been out on loan, was also back in the museum.  All of this famous artwork you see in other mediums, i.e. books, TV, internet, etc. – it is incredible to see it live.  Then, at the end of the museum right outside of the gift shop was one more small gallery room – each year Amsterdam has a contest for artists to submit their art for a new children’s book and they had the winner and five finalists’ artwork on display along with the book that was created from the artwork.  There are so many talented artists of all mediums and all styles in the world.  We purchased the winner’s book named De Boomhaus – The Treehouse.  It is a delightful story with only artwork and no words depicting a story from some animals’ perspective of how they would play in a Treehouse.

Before we left the apartment to go to the gallery Dave said it’s not too cold out today so I put on my lighter coat and then since I had carried my umbrella all week whenever I went out, I asked him, should I bring the umbrella?  Of course, he said, no I don’t think we’ll need it!  You guessed it, as soon as we came out of the museum – raining and cold!  We quickly walked over to the tram and headed home.  On the way from the tram stop to the apartment, we picked up some soup and salami from the deli below us and came up and had soup and sandwiches for a late lunch.  The evening was quiet at home.

So the weekend was mostly work for Dave as there are two guys from Taylor here to help him with some of the set-up of the European Offices.  But in between meetings we had some fun!  Saturday morning Dave headed to the train station to pick up one of the guys from Taylor who had just flown in.  We couldn’t find a hotel room for him for Saturday night so he was our first guest in the spare room.  After Dave brought him to the apartment and got him settled, Dave and I took another trip to IKEA.  We needed sheets and a blanket for the spare room!  The afternoon was a meeting for Dave and the Taylor guys and then I met up with them for an Italian dinner at a restaurant just down the street.  Very yummy, so Dave may get that some night when I don’t feel like cooking!

Sunday we woke up and while drinking our coffee I noticed a lot of people in running clothes walking down our street.  Then barricades were put up so I got on the internet and found that Amsterdam’s largest marathon was Sunday and the course ran down the cross street right to the left of our apartment so we could watch from our baywindow.  It was quite fascinating to watch almost 20,000 runners run by your house.  Dave had an appointment to go to that afternoon so Ted, our houseguest, and myself rode the tram to the Central Station with Dave and while he was busy, Ted and I headed out to find an “Underground Market” I had heard about.  It wasn’t underground – the premise is that they don’t let large corporate companies in and the location is not disclosed until the day of.  They apparently have two each year and this was the autumn one.  It was quite interesting.  We found it in a small warehouse type of building behind Central Station right near Amstel River.  There were homemade jams and jellies, food items, wine tasting, baked goods and all kinds of other tasty treats.  It was very small but a lot of fun.  Ted is a “foodie” like me so he was much more interested than Dave would have been!  Dave met us there and we ended up walking back up to the Station and headed back towards the hotel where the other Taylor guy was staying and we had an early dinner – Greek food this time.  Then headed back to the apartment, and on the way we got Ted settled into his hotel for the rest of his stay.  When we arrived at the apartment we started Skyping friends and family – I love Skype!  First we talked to Gabriel at our house and we got to see Tank!  Then, we talked to my friend, Corinne, then my sister and brother-in-law and then my mom.  However, poor mom couldn’t figure out why she couldn’t hear us – she emailed this morning and said she thought she had her speakers on but realized they weren’t.  Next time she will be able to see and hear us! Dave had one more meeting to go to and while he was gone I got to Skype with Rachel and Joaquin.  It was good to see everyone’s faces and get to talk to them.  If you have friends or loved ones that are far distant-wise from you and you have never used Skype – you are missing out!  Try it, you’ll like it!

Dave is very busy this week and I will keep myself busy cleaning, reading, doing bookwork for him, taking walks and shopping.  I may meet up with some of the women I met at the newcomer’s coffee last week also.  We will see what the week will bring.

Hugs to all!

Here I am...

OK, so last night Dave says, “When are you going to write in your blog again – everyone is waiting.”  Well, Tuesday I didn’t do much exciting and thought, hmmm, does everyone want me to tell them how I scrubbed the toilets, swept and mopped up floors?  Oh yes, and it took me all day to do two very small loads of wash, just because the machines here take much longer than in the states.  So how’s that for excitement?  I was kind of sticking around the apartment because I thought the plumber was coming to fix our second shower which only has cold or hot water and nothing in between.  Later after Dave got back from work meetings, I did walk down to the grocery and figured out the ingredients for homemade spaghetti.  So that is what we had for dinner and it came out very nicely.  And the Parmesan Reggiano here, I know it’s the same as we have in the states, but it tastes so much better here!  Oh and by the way, the plumber never came today!

Wednesday Dave had a meeting in the center of Amsterdam and asked if I wanted to go with him and shop while he was busy in his meetings.  I said sure and got ready to go.  Right before Dave needed to leave he received a phone call from his friend’s girlfriend asking if I would like to go to the street market with her and so my plans changed.  Susana came by the apartment and we walked to the Albert Cuyp Market that I told you about previously.  So very nice and comes from Spain.  She does not speak Dutch either and her English is good but we had to repeat ourselves or explain things a few times.  Boy, do I wish I spoke Spanish now!  We had a great time getting to know each other while we purchased fresh fish, nuts and veggies.  She explained to me that her boyfriend said they were having company for dinner but she was not a “skilled cook.”  She had a recipe for fish that she was going to try so she was getting ingredients for the dinner party.  However, she said that she could make a very good Spanish Omelet!  We got home late in the afternoon and soon Dave was home too.  He had a very small lunch and so was ready for dinner whenever I got it made.  We had baked red bass with olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, onion and some of that delicious parmesan sprinkled on top.  Along with the fish we had some yummy creamed potatoes I purchased at the deli below us and steamed broccoli.  For dessert, Belgian chocolate cookies that one of Dave’s new employees gave to him!  Yes, we are eating well but I am walking everywhere I go so I am hoping the pounds don’t show up on me!  Oh, the plumber came today and I didn’t check it before he left but when Dave got home he checked it and lo and behold it still isn’t working correctly!

Today, we both had somewhere to go and so we were up and around earlier than we have been.  It is so dark here in the morning and this week has not been sunny and is a little chilly so that makes it a little difficult to get moving.  About 9:20 headed out walking to the American Women’s Club Newcomers Coffee.  Well, I was the newest!  There was one other woman that had only been here for 3 weeks but she had been to Amsterdam several times before moving here so knew more about the city.  The rest of the women have been here anywhere from 3 months to 2 years so I felt very “green!”  The other thing I realized is that I have never lived in a big city and have always had a car at my disposal so I have never had to use public transportation, i.e. trams, buses, subways.  But they gave me lots of shopping information that I am going to have read and look at maps to figure out how to get to the stores or markets.  They also said to email anytime with questions.  One of the women there was from Guadalajara and only speaks Spanish and English so again I was wishing I spoke some Spanish.  But she loves to shop and does not live far from me so said anytime I want to email her she will help me find whatever I’m looking for.  She moved here about a year ago and said after she arrived she just got on each of the trams and rode them as far as they went out from the Central Station so then she knew where each tram went.  Very creative way to figure out the tram system!  We’ll see if I decide to do something like that.  I have to say our street is so comfortable with everything we need for daily life that I could just stay put.  But that is not what I am here for so I will continue to do some exploring.  The club has several outings planned to help newcomers so I will be taking advantage of those outings.  After I walked home I was a little hungry since I only had a cappuccino at the Coffee so I decided to eat a little delicacy I purchased yesterday.  When Susana and I were walking home from the market we decided to go into a small Brazilian café.  In the counter there was a quiche that I just had to try.  Today, I warmed it in the oven – it was made with eggs, zucchini, chopped nuts, raisins and goat cheese in a puff pastry crust.  Absolutely scrumptious.

Tonight, Dave has to pick someone up from the Central Station so we will be heading down there shortly.

Hugs to all!

End of the First Week

The weekend is over and it's the end of our first week here – it was a pretty low-key weekend which was OK by both Dave and me.  Dave will be extremely busy in these coming weeks and we are still trying to adjust to the time change and the cold!  Luckily, Amsterdam has had a mild autumn but to us “thin-blooded” San Diegans, it’s a bit chilly!  However, no rain yet, which I hear, is very unusual.  Actually when you are in the sun it is very warm and pleasant but walk on one of the shady streets and brrrr!  I have been told to get ready because it will get much colder than this.  Dave has found the thermostat so I am a happy woman.

Saturday night was quiet and we ate dinner at the apartment.  After dinner we were able to Skype with Rachel and Joaquin; and Joel and his family.  We gave each family a tour of the apartment which they all thoroughly enjoyed.  A little later we went out for a coffee and it was a very nice evening.  One of Dave’s Holland friends stopped by and had a cup with us also.

Sunday morning we got up and moved very slowly.  We had some breakfast, washed some clothes (still not sure if I’m using the right cycle!!!), organized a few more things and headed out the door for the Expat Fair.  Very small in comparison to “Fairs” and “Expos” in the states but I was glad we went.  I found a booth for the American Women’s Club of Amsterdam!  Yeah!  Americans that have lived here for years and will be a great resource for me in helping with the ins and outs of Amsterdam.  They have multiple activities going on throughout each month from coffee get-togethers to evening wine get-togethers – book groups to cooking classes.  I am planning on going to a Newcomers Coffee on Thursday morning.  The other day on my walk I found a do-it-yourself ceramic shop not too far from the house, so that might be a fun thing to do, too.  After the Expat Fair we walked over to a little café and had a bite to eat, then got on a tram and headed for home.  Dave has a couple DVDs of a New Zealand TV show that he enjoyed watching (not my kind of humor) and I am enjoying a wonderful book – Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls.  She is the author of her autobiography, The Glass Castle, one of my all-time favorite books.

This morning we ventured out to find the Staples Office Center only to find out that you must be a registered business with the Chamber of Commerce before you are allowed to purchase anything.  Fortunately, Dave explained to them that the business is set up with the Chamber and he just doesn’t have the paperwork done for a Staples “chipcard,” as they call it.  We were able to purchase a few items that he needs right away and will go back when all the other paperwork is taken care of.  When we got back, I made us some lunch, Dave headed out to take care of a few other business items and I worked on receipts and paperwork for him to hand into his work.  So, I get to continue to pretend I have a “job” other than being a full-time housewife!

Hugs to all!

Our First Saturday

OK, I think I spelled “friends” wrong – I think it’s supposed to be “vrienden.”  So sorry, for any Dutch speaking friends I may have out in blogland!

 

Well today was a day of walking and some exploring – mostly areas Dave already knew.  We will venture out farther at a later date.  Not sure how far we walked but did experience more of Amsterdam.  I have to admit though; I am not in love with Amsterdam yet.  I think I had the idea of living in Europe just a little more “glamorous” than it is.  I’m not meaning luxurious and glamorous as say, living the Hollywood life in a mansion (that definitely isn’t me!), maybe I mean a little more intriguing and exciting so I have to say I’m just not quite all “there” yet.  I am sure it will take time and I know I will definitely have to venture out and find some type of hobby or activity to get involved in.  I cannot see myself sitting in this apartment for days on end just reading and writing but then again who knows what the Lord has in mind for me!

 

Today we left our apartment and found a computer/office equipment store that Dave had seen when riding the tram.  He needs to purchase a couple of items so that the communication lines keep moving between him and Taylor in the states.  Then we headed towards the museum district – that area is buzzing with tourist activity and all the museums had lines.  Dave and I will go back on a weekday when it will be a little less crowded.  We then turned the corner at one of the main canals that separates the canal district from the southern district.  Walking along there was beautiful – the water shining in the sun with weeping willow trees along the way.  Of course, bicycles going past in every direction all the time.  On this street we checked out an art supply store that Dave had also seen along one of his tram rides.  Very well stocked and I believe Dave will be just as happy as he was with Blick Art Store in San Diego.  After checking out the art supplies, we headed down a quiet street and came across a cat sitting on a scooter taking a nap and then a café that had a cage out front with a blue headed parrot.  There were people busy talking to the owner and playing with the parrot so I will make that walk again sometime to check it out and take a picture.

 

At the end of this street we came to a little triangle plaza that headed into the Albert Cuyp Market.  Before venturing into the crowd we decided to have a bite to eat.  We sat in a small outside café and we each had a sandwich along with Dave having a beer and myself a “fruitshake.”  The sandwiches were served open-faced on thickly sliced, dark, whole grain bread.  I had ordered the vegetable sandwich and when it came I didn’t think it was correct but thought, oh well, I will try it – it was the Italian tuna and absolutely delicious.  The waitress came by later and said “You like?  You are eating the tuna?  I brought you the wrong sandwich.”  I told her it was perfectly OK and I loved it and will come back and try the veggie sandwich the next time.  She gave Dave a Duval beer glass when he paid the check since she made the mistake.  So we have a new glass!  Ha!

 

After the yummy lunch, we ventured into the market.  Well, I have to say – a blend of farmer’s market and a swap meet!  I liked all the produce stands but the cheap clothes, trinkets, etc. someone else can enjoy!  However, for all of our California friends that thought we were going to miss our Mexican delicacies – we found a large bunch of fresh cilantro for 50 cents and 2 avocados for 1 euro!  So salsa and guacamole, here we come – and yesterday we found a bag of plain tortilla chips!  Dave has it made now – I made him a batch of fresh salsa this afternoon!  I did forget to look for jalapenos but there is such a large ethnic demography here I’m sure I will find some sort of hot pepper to replace them.  Dave brought two bottles of Cholula hot sauce so he will be good until then.

 

On the way back to the apartment, we stopped again at the techno store and Dave is happy he purchased some speakers to hook his iPod up to so we have some music in the apartment.  You don’t realize how much we rely on technology, i.e. internet and cable service, until you don’t have it.

 

Last night Dave enjoyed watching me go through my little translation book trying to pronounce words and making lists of words and stickies to put on doors, windows, etc.  Maybe I’ll give him more of that type of entertainment tonight!  Let’s see, am I Julia Child’s living and learning in France or Elizabeth Gilbert trying to Eat, Pray, Love?

What tonight will bring?  We’ll see!  It’s Saturday night!