there's more to holland than amsterdam

ausimons — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 22:12:00 GMT

When you say, " I'm headed to Holland " most people think " Cool - Amsterdam huh! " but if you say that to a Dutchie, they may get offended (a bit like when you say you're from Oz and people are like: Cool - Sydney? ... ahhh, no - a bit further north than that).

There's just so much MORE to the LowLands than thier crazy/beautiful capital city ... In my 3 years of being here on and off, I've discovered more about life here. Yep, it's true - there really is more to Holland than Amsterdam ;0)

While Amsterdam has it's highlights (Westerkerk tower overlooking the city & my personal favourite, the Jordaan area) , it's lowlights (canals at night - so perdy, which serves as a bit of a contrast to their day time muck look) and it's redlights (yeah, that) ... Like is the case with many cities, you don't quite get a proper feel of a country or its people just by visiting it's capital. Amsterdam, however, is pretty darn fun. But it is a party town, so for a more quiet soul like me, I prefer to call he political capital of this nation, home. For two of my 3 years here I've lived in The Hague. It's got the beach (not that the north sea is all that appealing), it's got the typically dutch european old school architecture, it's far more clean than A'dam, it doesn't quite have as many tourists, but I'd say there's just as many foreigner's living here - many of us aupairs ;0) But to stay on track with the title, I feel I need to share more, because there's even more to holland than it's two capitals - believe it or not!

Yep, The Netherlands just has so much to offer it's visitors ...

the south has a genuinely Dutch feel ... warm and welcoming. The north is less 'cute' but still worth a look. Other cities - mainly somewhere in the middle, are all essentially the same - except for Rotterdam. It's the 'new' one, student city, another party town I guess. Enough about the geography though ...

there's nothing you can't move on a bike & there's no type of weather that will stop you using a bike

cutomer service doesn't exsist - as if people in stores are paid to WORK ... no no, they're just there to socialise

foreign services are ALL in Dutch - yes, beacuse all foreigners speak dutch - not

cheese, clogs, a lot of flat green open spaces (with resident sheep & cows), oh yeah and some with beautiful tulips

tall people, and their national airline offers less leg room than most other airlines out there - go figure

they're always right and better than anyone else - don't believe me ... just anyone of them - a possible reply might be: if it's not dutch, it's not much

hmmm, what else ... ahhh, stroopwaffels & suwesebolen (sticky cinnamon bun - best eaten fresh and in the south), that's about the only food I feel is worth a mention - personally I can live without the bitter taste of endives as a veggie and boerkool which literally sticks to your insides when you eat it.

So there you have it - my thoughts on why there's more to holland than the obvious. So when you gonna come check it out!?

people people everywhere

ausimons — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 19:20:00 GMT

people ... there are some that are small (like the ones I look after) sometimes they crack me up, while other times they manage to creep under my skin and press buttons to enduse my blood boiling - but hey, they ARE kids ;0) There are some people that are tall - like most of the natives here in Dutchland. There are some that annoy - no matter what they do, and others that make you smile, so easily.

Many people have their own generalised opinions about people from certain places ... like the rude French - but I've been there and enjoyed some sweet hospitality. Or backward Belgians - but I experienced the kindest of concern and care on my way back from from an Ireland trip, whereby I was going to be stranded in Brussels station overnight, but some kind strangers came up with a plan to get me back home safe that night. Don't get me wrong, I'm also guilty of taking the easy path of generalising - but I just wish we'd all be a little more open-minded. I like people watching - it's an interseting passtime. When I'm in a less of a happy-go-lucky mood, I figure most people are half good and the rest bad. But truthfully, I guess I am of the opinion that people, generally, are more good by nature than bad.

people have a choice ... everyday, in everything. To help or harm. To live and let live or put others down. To mind their own business or stick their nose in where it's not needed nor wanted. To support or attack. To speak or listen. To care or be selfish.

Shouldn't we all just be trying to do our little bit to make this world, that is already sad enough, a little better ... rays of sunshine even on a rainy day - that's what I hope I bring to at least one other person I encounter on a day to day basis.

luv 'n all that good stuff!

home is where ... ?

there's more to holland than amsterdam

people people everywhere