Merry Christmas ~ Netherlands style

I LOVE being back in Holland, reconnecting with my family, and experiencing Christmas through the eyes of the dutch. 

I didn't realize how much England has influenced me, as my first time on a bike here I promptly starting biking on the (wrong) left side of the road. The cycling here is just incomparable to anywhere else I've been. There is a new bike bridge to Zwolle, the next town from Hattem and you can pedal to the next city in an astonishing 10? minutes. 

I love the attention to detail and presentation my aunt - and it seems to be all the dutch - have talent for. Spoiled with special treats for Christmas!

Christmas dinner consisted of 5 courses from appetizer to dessert - all included on our personal menus in French. Delicious. The dutch do less gift giving and more eating. Perfect.  

Opa took me for a ride in his car in the country. Equipped with Netherlands - English dictionaries and Google translate, I say we had a successful conversation. 

We experienced some real winter temperatures at our visit to the ice sculpture displays in Zwolle.It's amazing what art can be created from ice. Here a rocket is taking off with puff of ice smoke. 

 Settlers is a universal game. I think I'm a better player in the Netherlands, or it could just be the beer? :P 

One day I ventured to Amsterdam on my own. I have never been so pleased in a photo. Here I am successfully standing outside Amsterdam central train station.  

This is a modern painting of Rembrandt's "Night Watch." I don't know if you have seen the original, but I thought this to be a clever parody. 

Here is where the original Night Watch is kept - the Rijk's Museum . The building itself is art. 

One of my favorite treats from the market - a warm stroopwafel!

So European.  

                                     

This one I call "The Couple and I." The joys of solo travel!

The first evening out with the family!  

This is where my father was born. Their place was the second level. Every time I am in Holland I take a photo with the house. I only have two photos with this particular place however, because the previous years I took a photo with the neighbors house instead. I've been informed since.  

Hattem's landmark.

I reunited with Rianne, my dutch host sister, when I was in Holland in high-school for the international exchange program. I also got to meet her precious baby.  

My host brother and father decided I was the outdoorsy type and took me mountain biking in the woods behind their house. It was quite the experience! We decided everyone needs some healthy fear once in awhile. 

Merry Christmas everyone, hope the season is happy and bright, and most importantly a reminder of the reason we celebrate Christmas at all! 

Seasons Greetings.

Elementary my dear Watson

Hello

Hope all is well,

With our first OT placement behind us, we students were looking forward to sleeping in, Christmas celebrations and exploring the countryside. 
Tiff and I fired off for London overnight to see all the Christmas sights. 

Always "Mind the Gap" Tiff's first experience on t

It overtook us so long to figure out how to get a photo with us and Big Ben - we call this the "low selfie" because you have to hold the camera at knee height to capture the scene.

We toured London with a Rick Steves audio tour, connected with one earbud in each ear. It was highly comical as we abruptly stop, point and nod to whatever historical revelation Rick had for us.

Having been to New York Earlier this year, I Began to feel a tad anxious approaching the square. I think I prefer London though with a unique blend of new and old captured above.

Walking through the streets, decked out in Christmas lights, I could not believethat the cherry on top was the factthat it "snowing?" I exclaimed my disbelief to Tiffany, apparently loudly enough for a stranger to approach us and say, "let me help you out right now, it's fake snow ... "and points to the giant snow blower on top of this building. So kind.

This is Hyde Park or "Winter Wonderland." When going to thesis sort of things you have to Decide Whether you are going to go on rides or eat food. We opted for a giant bratwurst. 

I recently Discovered BBC's Sherlock Holmes series. Now, I've always put a fan of Sherlock Holmes, but this modern version is brilliant! I was stoked to be bootable to visit Baker Street where clause it was filmed.

This is the Cafe in Sherlock Holmes. 

 This is for Sam! The entrance to the British Library. I almost applied for a library card for my souvenir collection. 

Reynard Way had Their Christmas nativity show. It's neat Because The actors are made up of children in the church and the community And They perform for the parents and friends.

Off to Holland! I somehow managed to navigate with the 2 trains and 1 bus to the airport. In hindsight I should have just paid more for my flight to arrive at a more convenient airport. The flight was 45 minutes, the additional travel time to and from airports was 6 hours. Live and learn. 

A treat for my first day in Zwolle with auntie Alice. I love trying out all my English words, and with the help of Google translate it is so easy! Except as I type this my dutch internet connection keeps changing my English words to dutch...

Doei!