Impressed by all the things you already experienced in such a short time! You know Holland better than most 'Hollanders' do ;) And glad to see you nailed the poetry :)
Love this post. Very poetic when I'm not the poetic kind.
One gripe: 100 days in _Holland_. Unless you've restricted yourself to the provinces of North and South Holland, you've been in the _Netherlands_. We're not Hollanders, we're Nederlanders. But I don't hold it against you. So many people get this wrong that it's become a self-perpetuating misnomer 😎.
Btw: If you're still in the Netherlands for the foreseeable future, we could meet up? I live in Houten (near Utrecht), but I'm in Amsterdam every Sunday for Taiko classes. Except most of this October (teacher is going to Japan).
I'm glad you enjoyed reading Marjan! I appreciate the note. It was intentional for my word choice of the word "Holland" as it felt more playful and joyous for me to read it aloud than "Netherlands", as I read with more rhythm, concision, and alliteration. If I were more technical, I slept in four provinces across my days in North Holland, South Holland, Zeeland, and Flevoland.
Doing Taiko classes sounds like an enjoyable hobby. This is a version of drumming if that is correct? Right now I'm on the market for a keyboard or an ukulele to brush up on an old skill ☺️
So you visited Utrecht (the town) but didn't sleep in the province? Fun trivium!
Yes, Taiko is very enjoyable. Have been at it for >11 years. Which is extraordinary considering most hobbies last at most 3-5 with, I think, only 2 lasting >7 😳.
If you're in Amsterdam, check out Q-factory. IIRC there's a keyboard shop inside.
Of course Melissa! I tossed it in last minute after it’s been some years since I listened to his music. Glad you get to experience a rediscovery too ☺️
Thank you for reading Jolleen! And it’s interesting you say you miss traveling from reading this. I’ve been moving around out of necessity due to lack of housing options in holland which has made it quite an adventure. And yes I’m excited for snailmail too!
BTW, I cycled around Holland (and elsewhere on the Continent) waaaaaaay back in '94. One of my favorite stops: Schiermonnikoog, an island in the same neighborhood as Texel. Beautiful country!
Wow so leuk Larry! I was just gifted a city hike yesterday and it was a joy! Next on my list is a bike from longer trips that I don’t rent. And yes I went on a field trip to Schiermonnikoog for university 8 years ago. Would love to go back for a writing retreat with that silence and no cars. Was such a unique spot most people in the world have no clue about. Such a fun word to say too ;)
Impressed by all the things you already experienced in such a short time! You know Holland better than most 'Hollanders' do ;) And glad to see you nailed the poetry :)
Love this post. Very poetic when I'm not the poetic kind.
One gripe: 100 days in _Holland_. Unless you've restricted yourself to the provinces of North and South Holland, you've been in the _Netherlands_. We're not Hollanders, we're Nederlanders. But I don't hold it against you. So many people get this wrong that it's become a self-perpetuating misnomer 😎.
Btw: If you're still in the Netherlands for the foreseeable future, we could meet up? I live in Houten (near Utrecht), but I'm in Amsterdam every Sunday for Taiko classes. Except most of this October (teacher is going to Japan).
I'm glad you enjoyed reading Marjan! I appreciate the note. It was intentional for my word choice of the word "Holland" as it felt more playful and joyous for me to read it aloud than "Netherlands", as I read with more rhythm, concision, and alliteration. If I were more technical, I slept in four provinces across my days in North Holland, South Holland, Zeeland, and Flevoland.
Doing Taiko classes sounds like an enjoyable hobby. This is a version of drumming if that is correct? Right now I'm on the market for a keyboard or an ukulele to brush up on an old skill ☺️
Poetic freedom always trumps boring facts.
So you visited Utrecht (the town) but didn't sleep in the province? Fun trivium!
Yes, Taiko is very enjoyable. Have been at it for >11 years. Which is extraordinary considering most hobbies last at most 3-5 with, I think, only 2 lasting >7 😳.
If you're in Amsterdam, check out Q-factory. IIRC there's a keyboard shop inside.
As a Dutchie, I just have to like this :)
Thanks for sharing the Mat Kearney song! I used to listen to him all the time, and it was nice to rediscover him.
Of course Melissa! I tossed it in last minute after it’s been some years since I listened to his music. Glad you get to experience a rediscovery too ☺️
Loved reading this! Made me miss traveling. Excited to see how the snailmail project goes.
Thank you for reading Jolleen! And it’s interesting you say you miss traveling from reading this. I’ve been moving around out of necessity due to lack of housing options in holland which has made it quite an adventure. And yes I’m excited for snailmail too!
Such a delectable recipe for a full, rich life.
BTW, I cycled around Holland (and elsewhere on the Continent) waaaaaaay back in '94. One of my favorite stops: Schiermonnikoog, an island in the same neighborhood as Texel. Beautiful country!
Wow so leuk Larry! I was just gifted a city hike yesterday and it was a joy! Next on my list is a bike from longer trips that I don’t rent. And yes I went on a field trip to Schiermonnikoog for university 8 years ago. Would love to go back for a writing retreat with that silence and no cars. Was such a unique spot most people in the world have no clue about. Such a fun word to say too ;)
It's a great place; the entire country is, as you well know.
And, yes, Schiermonnikoog does indeed roll off the tongue ... Just don't try to say it with a mouthful of food (trust me...).