Right now I am sitting in a shady hotel in Amsterdam, with a cappuccino, some fruit and an egg next to me while trying to convince myself to work. Not for my day job, of course! Being a medical translator has the advantage that I don't get to take work with me, too much confidential information in our files... instead I brought notes for the next chapter of my fourth novel. So while my boyfriend is sound asleep in our tiny, overheating room without chair or proper lighting, I might work. Unfortunately the internet connection is pretty stable. ^^
This is the first half of our annual vacation. At my job I don't get to travel in summer, so we always try to find ways to sneak a bit of adventure and sunshine into the other nine months of the year. This time I was lucky - vacations in May are the big prize among colleagues. ^^
Anyway, today I ant to tell you about where we spent the first two days of our trip. Ever heard of Erfgoed Bossem in Lattrop, NL? Neither had I. But they had a great deal on their so-called "Sterrenkubussen" (Star Cubes), and since Richard used to study astronomy, I got him a voucher for his last birthday. He is not all that in favor of farm holidays, but...
A Sterrenkubus is three by three by three meters and offers everything you need for yoru vacation. Yes, we too were skeptical in the beginning. The brochure boasts you could use it comfortably with up to four people (2 adults, 2 kids). And let me tell you, they are not exaggerating. A bunk bed for two people, a tiny kitchenette with two cooking plates, a sink, a fridge and the usual kitchen utensils, a tiny shower (less than a square meter) and a toilet the same size, and the remainder of the floor is used up by a sleep sofa and a tiny table. You'll have to wait for pictures, since my phone broke (again!). Also, a beginners' telescope with instructions and all. And the best thing? A round window in the roof right over the bed, so you can literally sleep under the stars.
The downside is - you don't have any secrets from each other.
(Wait, there is a unicorn in the room. No, I haven't smoked. A unicorn???)
What was I going to say? Ah, the secrets. None. Richard, who is kind of a romantic, always switched on heavy metal music when I used the toilet so we could "still have our secrets". Isn't he cute?
As usual, we arrived way later than planned, and did not do much on our first day. The second, I visited with my sister in the German town right behind the border while he slept in, and then we went exploring on foot. Call me boring, but I could spend weeks and months in the country side, walking a different road every day. You learn a lot about people and places by walking.
And now we are here, almost n the center of Amsterdam, with the Rijksmuseum only a few steps away. We have till Monday to explore the city, enjoy ourselves and buy as many chocolate penises for my colleagues as we can carry. Sounds good? Thought so. ^^
