Today jet lag really hit us all. I went to sleep after 1 am and was awake by 4:30 am. Jeff and I got up and made coffee and enjoyed the quiet, thinking the kids would get up soon. Jeff ended going back to sleep and soon turned into after 11:30 am when I woke them all up!
We took a walk to explore the city center, even though we knew the stores would be closed. We allowed C to pick McDonald’s for lunch, against our own interests just to get it out of his system and it was one of 3 restaurants open. I tried a McKroket,which is a specialty unique to Holland since 1999. And you have to pay 50 cents for a packet of ketchup! They also serve fried shrimp which is different from the USA. I like to notice the differences between the two countries to compare and contrast,
On the walk back home, we discovered a great neighborhood park, and a walking bridge that crosses a canal with a beautiful view. These are the things you can’t find in a book. And then walking back to our house, another neighbor was out front and she shared with me tips about what stores were open on Sundays and what hours. For example, Dirks is a popular grocery store that was open today from 4-7 pm, but she said not to go at 4 because here would be a line out the door!
We took a nap and when we woke up, the entire family all went for a walk to Dirks around 5 pm. We decided to shop and cook our dinner together. We had fun picking out all the ingredients and filling our reusable bags. We had to walk to the store which is also new for us, but it was pretty enjoyable. We had fun making our first meal together – a cucumber and carrot salad prepared by C, and then pan fried chicken, green beans stir fried with butter, and roasted potatoes with garlic and onions! Yum!! All were satisfied,
As I was taking the vegetable compost out to the front refuse cans, another neighbor caught my eye and we introduced ourselves. She has a boy C’s age and offered some toys for him to play with until our shipment arrives. We walked over to her place to pick out a few things which I think will help C with his tedium.So sweet, right? Her son and daughter will also go to the same school as our children. Although, her children are in Israel with her parents so that she can work during summer break so we’ll have to wait for more friends to play with! So many sweet and generous people around me, it makes me so happy.
And two more connections happened today – I’m all about that! My cousin Anita is coming to help me on Friday to order our furniture for delivery! I am so thankful and can’t wait to see her again, as its been 14 years!! Her children were just babies then and are now grown up! And the second connection is with a PEO who lives in Amsterdam. We will try to meet at her home later in the week. See. This international thing ain’t that bad!! Slowly but surely…
I hope you’re enjoying a day of rest and slowing down a bit too! Life is good. xoxo
here i am 
Not sure if you know that refills definitely aren’t free in the Netherlands. (And sometimes soda is actually cheaper than water.) There’s some trick or phrase you have to say to order tap water, otherwise you will pay for bottled water.
Also, make sure you have coins on you at all times, since most bathrooms aren’t free. (Outside organizations will clean the bathrooms, freeing the actually building owners from doing it, but you have to pay like 40-60 euro cents.)
Not sure if your city has a random “open late” night for stores – in the Hague shops tend to be open later on Thursday nights until 9pm.
Okay, that’s all I have for today. ;P
Love and warm thoughts from Sunnyvale. Sharing the adventure vicariously through your words…, thank you. Hugs, Yvonne
Lovely to hear your news. Take time to enjoy the peace of Sundays and lack of commercial-ness. You’ll probably miss it when you get back! Glad to hear that you’re settling in well.
Another exciting day for you…maybe the fact that there are no soda refills there, that you have to pay for condiments, and that grocery stores are closed on Sundays are all the reasons that Europeans are thinner than Americans! Ha ha! I love it! Looking forward to losing weight when I come to visit!!! 😀 Love ya!
Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. You write beautifully! Could be a future author in you yet. All is quiet in our neighborhood as many of the neighbors are on vacation.
So happy that you are adjusting and that people are reaching out to you. Knowing you, you will have so many new friends and aquaintences very soon. It is so nice to to read that you guys are all enjoying the simple things of being in Holland ; walking through the city, shopping the old fashion way, and enjoying the beauty of the landscapes that surrounds you!!! I love it!!!! Miss you , and Tot ziens.