The Big 3-0

Turning 30 is one thing, but turning 30 and living in Amsterdam is another.  I didn't know what to expect, or how my night would end, I just knew that it would be special.  However, it was hard being away from family and friends.  For such a milestone in life it definitely would of been nice to share with my folks, brother and friends, but our friends here really made it wonderful!

Amy, a friend and soccer teammate from college happened to be traveling to Amsterdam during my bday weekend.  We caught over drinks and my first taste of Rijsttafel (which literally means Rice Table in Dutch).  Rijsttafel consists of many small dishes.  Very tasty and something you should try out when visiting Amsterdam.  My Aunt Sigrid told me all about Rijsttafel before I moved here and I am glad she did!

Our friend Jenn, who as of February moved to Berlin, flew out to spend the bday weekend with us!  She was our official first guest from home!  It was wonderful to have a familiar face and also a ginea pig to figure out our future visitors routine.   Friday night we went out for Sushi (I highly recommend that you don't eat sushi here).  We supposedly went to a "good" sushi joint, but am disappointed to say that the Dutch don't know a thing about sushi.  For Saturday we started with breakfast at Pancakes for the ultimate Dutch pancakes.  They have everything from savory to sweet, another must for all of our guests to experience.  After a nice breakfast, we rented a bike for Jenn at Mike's Bike Rental, and biked thru Vondel Park and to other various parts of the city, including the Red Light, The Dam, Spui, De Pijp and our neighborhood.

Friends joined us later that evening for drinks, food and more drinks. We ended the night walking in the light rain to Cafe Nol (super-uber Dutch karoake bar).  Overall a fun evening and splendid way to celebrate my 30th.

Adding on to the "More To Adore":
Bicyclists ringing their bells
The sounds of the tram
Various boats floating by on the canals
Dutch pancakes with basil, garlic and goat cheese
Peanut butter chicken sandwiches

Indiana update:
Indy is hanging in there and still making some friends.  We had the opportunity to watch a yellow lab named Molly.  We still like to run a few times a week at Vondel Park, also known as Fondle Park.  Word has it you CAN NOT take your dog off its leash to roam around the park, but if you would like to have sex in this park, go for it.  There are some limitations though, you can not have sex in front of children, phew.

The Dutch love saying "It's Not Possible" so here's a little list of things that are not possible:
Getting an extra chair for our table at a cafe
Asking for veggies to be placed on the side
Setting up a sports package for our tv
Setting up the electricity bill
Setting up the water bill  

The following weekend we headed off to Bloemendaal beach.  This beach destination is very popular and only 15 miles away from Amsterdam.

Our friend Ali rented a car and took us to our first beach experience, one I never thought I would happen since I didn't believe realize we even had a beach!

This white sandy beach is surrounded by dunes, nudity, dj's, and many sun bathers.  Many Dutch and expats make their way out to the North Sea for some fun times.  The sea is extremely, gray and cloudy, but refreshing in the hot weather!

The food was super expensive, the Turks love to wear jeans with their shirts off, and the cafe serves horrible smoothies.  We were introduced to the "war" sauce. The Dutch like to take mayonnaise and peanut sate sauce, mix it together and call it a day!  It's really surprisingly good!!!

Overall we had a nice time, I would definitely like to go there again, and check the other neighboring, more low key beaches!

2 Hours to Italy - How about that!

For the last holiday, Pinksteren, which stands for Pentecost (commemorating the decent of the holy spirit upon the disciples of Christ) we took a quick trip to the Almafi Coast, Italy.  We originally planned on driving around the Netherlands, but when someone pointed out that we do not have another national holiday until Christmas it was obvious that we better take advantage of the long weekend.  

Lucky for us tickets were fairly cheap and the flight was a little over 2 hours.  Our friends Amir and Ali joined us!  We flew into Naples on Friday, May 21st, and we're picked up by the hotel driver.  The drive to Positano is about an hour.  Naples is about what you expect - random trash dispersed, not much to see, a bit of a concrete jungle.  The drive to our hotel was extremely windy, but beautiful how high we were on the cliffs and seeing all the lovely homes scattered across the hillside.

We stayed at the lovely hotel Villa Rosa which was conveniently located by the city center, amongst restaurants, boutiques and the beach!  The view was breathtaking, the kind that you feel like you are dreaming and gives you butterflies.  Right away we walked down to the city center to scope out the town and found ourselves a small deli with various meats, cheeses, breads and wines!  After stocking up on food and drink, we headed back to our hotel, sat outside for our first meal and toasted to the weekend ahead!

That evening we had drinks at Sirenuse - one of the pricey hotels of Positano - known for its terrace views and champagne bar.  I will always remember the snacks at Sirenuse - almonds, olives and potato chips!  We headed down to the water, popped into a nice intimate restaurant with a garden terrace,  had yummy wine and pasta with shaved truffles.  We finished the night off at Music On The Rocks - a bar located off the beach inside an actual cave.

On Saturday we shopped around a bit and discovered the best Italian sub.  We asked the deli gal to make us their signature sandwich - 15 minutes later a masterpiece appeared - toasted bread, olive oil, salt, pepper, roasted peppers, mushrooms, prosciutto, mozzarella, the list goes on and on.  With our newly discovered sandwich we headed off to the beach to rent a boat for 3 hours.  We took the boat back and forth along the coast, searching for private beaches and breaks thru the clouds.  Rose', white wine, the sea breeze and smells, made this boat excursion very memorable.

For dinner we ate at Cafe Positano.  Guests are sat at either the inside of the cafe or on the side of the road.  Cars are inches away from you while you eat, you would think this would be nerve-racking, but I guess the meal and good conversation takes your eyes of the traffic!

The next morning we took the Positano Jet over to Capri.  Once on Capri we headed up towards the top for a nice lunch (octopus and bruschetta), more rose', shopping and wandering!  We hopped on the funicolare to get back to the bottom where we met up with Captain Lorenzo Catuogno, who we hired to boat us around the island - making stops at the Blue Grotto - Grotta Azzurra and also the Green Grotto.

The Blue Grotto is definitely an experience and a absolute must when in Capri.  It's hard to explain the feeling you have before going in - a lot factors stress you out - small row boat, crashing waves, other row boats bumping into yours, not really being instructed on anything but to keep your arms in and your head down, watching the timing as they pull the small boat in by a rope.  Inside you are instantly blown away by the bright blue water.  It was ill-advised to take a swim by our boats captain - our buddy called bull shit, but the water was in fact surrounded by hundreds of jellyfish.

The More To Adore in Positano:
Smells of Jasmine
The huge lemons and grapefruit (lemon everything - perfume, soaps, lotions, sprays)
Shopping
Limoncello
Salty air
Napping on the beach and boat
My first Italian gelatto - cafe and vanilla
Various sandals shops - bought my first pair!
Yummy-melt-in-your-mouth prosciutto

I adore Positano and Capri and would love to make my way back there again - like I said before, 2 hour flight to this beautiful place, can't beat that!!!

The Ritz

For Ascension Day, known as Hemelvaartsdag, Kirk and I took a quick trip to Biarritz, France for an early birthday gift from Kirk.  This national holiday was observed on Thursday, May 13th.  The holiday represents when Jesus ascended to heaven following 40 days after his resurrection.

Most airlines make you connect in order to reach Biarritz, but now you can find non-stop flights via Transavia.  They are cheap and to the point, however their seating space is very small and they do make you pay for water - 2,50 Euro.

2.5 hours later and you end up in this fabulous beach city.  Biarritz is located off the Bay of Biscay, on the Atlantic coast, in south-western France.  Biarritz's population is about 27,000.  People from all of the world make their way to this seaside town to enjoy the sun, food, wine, shopping, people and surfing.  Biarritz hosts many major surfing competitions and surfs schools and you can definitely see why - the sand is soft and manicured, the surf is gnarly and surreal, and the view is something you can stare at forever.  Very romantic to say the least - a must for couples!

I loved how the sea seemed to change color - from aquamarine to bright blue to green throughout the day!

This sleepy town provided us with the Mercury Plaza Hotel.  Our hotel was conveniently located across the street from the Municipal Casino, beach and tourist center.

Things to do in Biarritz:
Walk around on the coast
Play on the beach
Drink wine outside
Shop among the many boutiques
Explore the museums
Bus/Train rides to neighboring cities
Explore the harbours
Eat/Drink at Bar Jean

The first night after walking around for hours and exploring the city, we found ourselves in a tiny french restaurant. There we ordered probably the best meal I have ever had - we each had a 3 course meal - everything from smoked salmon on baked bread with sauce, scallops, steak, and chocolate tart - absolutely to die for.  We both woke up with a food hangover - it is possible!

The next day we took at bus down to San Sebastian, Spain.    Our trip was about 1.5 hours (but you could easily get there in 45 minutes).  We walked throughout the city, to the beach and made our way to Fort San Sebastian.   From this fort you can see the whole city and harbour.  The views were captivating.  One side the city, the other side a small forrest hillside dipping down into the Atlantic.  Definitely reminded me of Washington - all the greens, tall trees and the deep blue sea.  Cafe con leche never tasted better!!!  I love SPAIN and everything it has to offer - I hope to go back!!!

Things to do in San Sebastian:
East AMAZING food
Shopping
Visit the fort and various churches
Beach
Walk along the board walk
People watching

Getting to San Sebastian was pretty easy - but leaving not so much.  What we were told and what actually happened for our route home - totally different.  Basically we ended up stranded momentarily at a Train Station - halfway back to Biarritz - with no one to help us or explain how to get on a connecting train back. Oh there is a train, but it didn't leave until 11am, the next day.  No buses were available, so we ended up with a 60 euro cab ride back - oh well, that's life!

Saturday, we took a small trip to Buyonne, France, about a 25 minute bus ride.  Buyonne has similar feel to Biarritz, but more locals, shopping and museums.  It has a larger population than Biarritz - about 46,000.

Buyonne is know for it's bull-fighting, chocolate (sculptor pictured below is actually chocolate), and for being the birthplace of mayonnaise!

After walking around, eating my first European gelato, enjoying a nice lunch and sitting out in the sun, we headed back to Biarritz.

That evening we found ourselves at Bar Jean - again.  This is a wonderful tapas restaurant - where you can enjoy tasty paella and sangria.  Bar Jean is very lively and filled with Basque charm! A nice way to end our short weekend getaway!!!

Other things we have been up to:
I joined a soccer meet-up - we play every Sunday at 2pm.  Yes, I am the only girl, but it's a nice group of guys from all over.  We play at the Museumplein, huge park connected to the Rijks and Van Gogh Museums.  About a 5 minute bike ride away from home!

To celebrate the recent Giro d'Italia (long distance bike race that started off in Amsterdam this year) Kirk's work had their own version of the race.  Everyone was assigned to a team, dressed up and did laps around the block.  Afterwards all of 180 enjoyed potluck style food, a hired dj and a bar full of Italian liquors - mainly Sambuca!  Good times!!!  Picture below - Kirk's bike piled on with 5 folks tipping over with the help of some competitors - no one was injured during this stunt!

Happy Birthday Beatrix

Koninginnedag otherwise known as Queen’s Day is the Netherlands national holiday.  Queen’s Day celebrates the birthday of the Queen of the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix (the actual birthday is her mother's).  This day also represents the national day of unity and togetherness – something the Dutch are trying to work on – even producing commercials asking the Dutch to be “kinder” to each other.  This tradition dates back to 1885.

Besides celebrating Beatrix's birthday, Queen’s Day is also known for its vrijmarkt (freemarket).  All over the Netherlands, everyone is allowed to sell whatever they want in the streets and do not need to pay any taxes on their sales.  People will sell items from their actual businesses to what they have in their closets (very similar to a flea market).  A lot of times people will even go out and buy water, beer and pastries and sell them to the numerous tourists that inhibit this city – making a profit!  All forms of transit shut down (no cars, trams, or buses until later in the evening).  I often wondered what would happen if someone had a medical emergency - how would they get to them - the streets were covered in people, markets and eventually trash.  Over 700,000 tourists from all over come into the city – making an already busy village a bit chaotic.

The day starts off pretty early after a crazy Queen’s Eve (Koninginnenacht) – lots of partying, drinking, and dancing.  DJ’s set up on all corners – we luckily had one right outside our front door.  You definitely know when Queen’s Day begins, once you see the first boat packed with a lot of folks dressed in orange head to toe - dancing and singing!!!

On this day it is very typical to dress in Orange, this is known as Oranjegekte (orange craze).  The color orange refers to the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange.  Everything is orange, from clothes, hair, pets, food and drinks.

A glimpse into our Queen’s Day:

Ate lumpia, shorma, more lumpia, pizza, and some tasty crepe-pastry with powdered sugar
Watched multiple party boats floating along the canals (must get on a boat next year!!!)

Walked  EVERYWHERE- from one side of Amsterdam to the other

Listened to multiple side concerts and DJs throughout the city

Bought some art

Met friends at the Johnny-Jordaan Plein and also Lofel and Burke

Overall a wonderful day and evening with new and old friends!!!

More unique observations:

The Dutch take Identity Theft very seriously.  In fact they are so serious about it, Kirk and I have to put in a Pin Code to get into our gym followed up with our hand being scanned.  Yes, you heard it right folks, I am pretty confident that no one will be able claim that they are me on their way to get the eliptical.

The Dutch garbage crew also decided it would be a good idea to go on strike the day after Queen's Day.  They are still on strike.  The trash is still piling up, so much trash I would actually be embarrassed if we had visitors from out of town.  I heard thru the grapevine that the city and the garbage crew are reconciling.

The following week we celebrated another national holiday called Bevrijdingsdag - Liberation Day.  This day is celebrated every year on May 5th, but is only considered a Bank Holiday (day off) every 5 years.  Liberation Day marks the end of the occupation by Nazi Germany.  The night before, the Dutch have a remembrance gathering for those who fought and died in World War II - Remembrance of the Dead.  The city gathers at the Dam Square and have two minutes of silence starting at 8pm.

We decided for this holiday to take a little road trip with our friends Ali and Charlotte over to Lisse, Netherlands and explore the "Garden of Europe".  Amsterdam is known for it's tulips and for housing the world's largest flower garden - Keukenhof which means kitchen garden.  Established in 1949, around 7 million flower bulbs are planted annually in this garden.  The colors were breathtaking and so vibrant and electric.  The garden is so lovely and is a definite must see if you make a trip out here.  Best months to see the garden in full bloom are March-May.

Good news - found a Doggy DayCare that will look after Indy if we can't find friends to help us out!  This is awesome since we are really starting to plan out multiple weekend trips.  Nice owner and a wonderful facility.  She's doing great - I am starting to look after a Pug named Sushi so that Indy gets a bit more exercise during the day!  She also made a friend with a Frenchie named Betty!  All around blending in!  The following weeks really have given us a better feel for the Dutch culture.  Hopefully thru our pictures/posts, we can give you the same!