One of my international buddies, Juuso, a Finnish guy, is leaving the Netherlands in a couple of weeks; thus he planned several excursions around Holland and of course I thought I would join (thus have been a bit MIA—travelling and class takes it out of you).
I visited Gouda, Utrecht, Delft and Den Haag. This upcoming weekend, I'm hitting up Luxembourg—the “richest” country in the world!
Below are my comments on travelling around the Netherlands and a few pictures as well! But first, let me explain that my dear Rotterdam is nothing like the stereotypical Dutch image that pops into one's head when they think Holland. Instead the second largest city in the Netherlands is quite modern-looking: bubbling with awkward 60's architecture, Warhol quotes plastered on buildings, surreal sculptures plopped in hidden corners around town and a peppering of quaint buildings sparred from the bombings. I have also had the privilege of meeting a lot of amazing international students—and have asked them what they think is the best attribute of Rotterdam. The answer in unison is that it's easy to flee. And you know—it is. Hop on a flight or train and you're in another country in an hour or so. It's fantastic!
Gouda:
Yes, yes. The home that delicious smoked cheese is actually not much to write home about. A few nice churches, famous red shutters and cheese shops.
Utrecht:
Population: 282,000
Imagine cobblestone streets, dotted with traditional outdoor cafés looking out to the many canals. This is also the Netherlands' Christianity centr. Most notable is the huge church steeple.
Delft:
Home of blue and white pottery. This was a very cute town.
Den Haag:
Parliment, UN's International Court of Peace and one fantastic beach. The city itself has some very lovely historic structures—but their spread is too much too appreciate.
Hanzja's Adventures
About Me
- Hanzja
- United States
- A few snapshots of life of an exchange student as I try and survive living abroad... Life introduces quite a many colorful folk onto my path and with them--plenty of stories--here I would like to share with you just a few of them. Enjoy.
2 comments:
So pictures are soon to come...I just need a converter for my computer since my current one blew out..sad. I know.
lol... hello love... so I thought I wrote you to send me your address, but I haven't gotten a response, either due to that fact that you can't get your computer on because it can't be charged, or the fact that you don't know your address yet ( I kind of lean towards the first one though (wink)). Anyways. sounds like you are still having a blast... don't want to spoil your fun and all, but when are you coming back... you know, I’m kind of starting to miss you a lot... and even though you are not here most of the time but in Seattle at least I know I can reach you there, where as in this situation you are pretty far off... still waiting for those pictures and your address. This weekend Youth is going up to Seattle, there is a youth conference there, so that should be fun... and end of May there is a conference in Southern Cali. Besides that not too much new. It started to be really beautiful outside, but because we live in the most unpredictable place probable on the whole planet that weather just got really gloomy again. Oh well, that shall pass too. I have 13 more days of school left… very exciting, yet also stressful trying to fit everything needed into my brain, I feel like it is starting to expand, that might be problematic, (no one likes big headed girls…lol..) ok ok, I’ll stop joking, I’m just so tight up at school, that I want to talk about something funny to someone, and you just happen to be the person I like to talk to. Well alright, I’ll finish up. Hope to hear from you soon!!! Good luck, and let me know how your progress with the charger is… but I still seriously need that address, I want to at least send you one post card!!! Sending you my love! And keeping you in my prayers!
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