A Day in Amsterdam

Amsterdam, NL

Amsterdam. There are songs about it, plenty of pictures of it, but nothing really beats being there. The full experience of walking around and seeing all the bridges, the smell of weed, and the sight of prostitutes standing around in the Red Light District. Yep, nothing beats that.

Now, I think what I really enjoyed about the city was seeing all the buildings, all the boats, and walking around to see what there is. And what there was enough of, was tourists. I mean, I can't say that my cousin and I were not tourists, but there were so many of them!

I will say this, despite all the tourists, and the large amount of people walking around lost and confused, the city is beautiful. The buildings are like no other, and it's so crazy to think you are there sometimes! Of course, when me and my cousin went, it was cold, windy, and raining. Just our luck, right? But sometimes you forget the cold wind and the annoying rain, and can't help but enjoy the beauty of the city.

Lotta and I in front of the Sex Museum, Amsterdam

My cousin came out from Alaska to visit, and I wanted to make sure that she was able to see as much as possible as it was her first time in Europe. So, we went to Amsterdam. We first met up with my friend and roommate Lotta, who then was our tour guide of the city pretty much. We started out our Amsterdam journey at the Sex Museum. All I can say about that place is you have to have an open mind, and not be with your parents.

But besides seeing that, we walked around the city and went and saw the Red Light District. It is crazy to think that a place like that actually exists! Think of Las Vegas with all the strippers and such all around, but worse. There were ladies sitting in windows and there were signs for live shows. I really don't have any words to describe it! But it is interesting to see that a street like that is legal.

Flower Market - Amsterdam

Other than the Red Light District, the city is gorgeous. We walked to this flower market and it was crazy how many flowers and flower seeds there were. I knew already that the Netherlands has a giant collection of tulips in the spring time, but seeing it first hand is amazing. The funny part, is that the flowers are so cheap! Usually you can go to Safeway or Albertsons and get a bouquet of flowers for like what, $20? Here, you can get a bigger and better bouquet of flowers for like €6! It is things like this that bring a smile to your face.

I Amsterdam letters - Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

But after the flower market, we walked around to find the Rijksmuseum. If there is one thing I can say about it, is that it was gorgeous. I didn't go inside because the line was probably close to 3 hours long just to buy your ticket, but I walked around it to see the I Amsterdam letters. If there weren't so many dang people walking around then I probably would have been able to get a better picture with the letters.

Now if there is anything I have mentioned multiple times in this post, it would be the tourists. Amsterdam is a huge destination for international travelers. Unfortunately, all these travelers seem to make the city seem not so wonderful. Living in Breda, there are never any tourists, so it is quiet, peaceful, and the city holds its true beauty and history. Walking around Amsterdam, there are so many groups of people with cameras and shopping bags filled with souvenirs, that it makes you feel like people don't actually live there. Well, they do.

After the Rijksmuseum, we walked to what is known as "the pipe". The pipe is where all of the locals live, and you know what, it feels a bit better over there too. Near the area, there was a giant farmers market on one of the streets. People were selling everything from fresh fish, to flowers, to clothes. It was cool to walk around because there were locals buying their groceries there, and of course, the cheese. There was cheese everywhere.

By the time we walked all around the city, we were hungry. Lotta was telling us about different places that she ate at while in Amsterdam, but we wanted to try something different. We had plenty of typical Dutch food, and raw haring wasn't sounding too yummy, so we found this small Italian Restaurant called Ciao Bella.

Walking inside, it was cute and cozy, but very small. We ordered our tea's and pastas, and when it came to the table, it seems like we devoured the plate before the waitress could set it down! For only €8 I got this tasty tortellini porcini with mushrooms. I definitely recommend this dish if you happen to stumble upon this small place on Prinsengracht.

You know, sometimes a good time can be ruined with bad weather and a large amount of tourists, but I think that if you really set out to find the areas where the locals are, then your time will be spent better off. Go off the beaten path. Try something new. And take a visit to Amsterdam if you are ever in the neighborhood, it really is a beautiful city.

If Euros Grew on Trees...

Right now I seem to start all of my sentences with "back in the states", and by the time I have to leave the Netherlands, I will be starting all my sentences with "back in Breda". The struggle is real. But what is even more real is the struggle for money around here!

Back in the states, I was an actual citizen who was able to get a job and work full time on top of being a student; thats when I was working for the news station. It was pretty darn nice to get that paycheck every other Friday. I saved up very penny I possibly could for this trip. And now that I am about 2 months in, I sometimes wish I had a job here! Saving money can be a bit rough sometimes. 

Before you go to study abroad, make sure that you have a new credit/debit card with you. And when I say new, I mean, one that actually works in Europe. That is one thing that I definitely didn't think about before I came overseas, and I regret my decision a bit. Everywhere in Europe takes cards with chips in them, so when you pay for something, you don't slide your card, you put it in the pin pad. I know it sounds confusing.

So, whatever bank you have, make sure you get a new one ahead a time. If not, then you will be in the situation I am in - paying extra for everything. If you don't have a credit/debit card that works, then you will be paying fee's for each ATM use to take out money. And since your card won't work here, you have to constantly take out money. It can be a real drag. Luckily for me, my dad is bringing my new card out in April when we meet up in Copenhagen.

I am the type of person who stresses all the time about money. I am constantly thinking "how will I ever pay off college", and "what happens when I run out of money here in Breda?" Better yet, I worry about the possibility of not getting a job when I graduate. When it all comes down to it, I keep telling myself not to stress. I am in this beautiful country, and may never come back! But if you are in a crunch and need to save a penny or two while abroad, here are some tips that can help you.

• Don't go out so much! I know it is tempting to go out with your friends and have a good time at the bars or whatever, but try not to go out so much. Restaurants can get a bit pricy. Try and limit yourself to going out once or twice a week.
• Split the tab. If you do go out, which is totally okay, then split the bill with your friends. I know that every time me and my girlfriends go out, we always split the tab and share meals. It makes things cheaper, but we still have a good time out. 
• Cook at home. Go to the grocery store at the beginning of the week, and get all the things you need. And make a list! I have a tendency to make a list, but get things that are not even on the list. So, make a list and stick to the list. Get things you only really need for that week. 
• Know where to get the cheap tickets. If you are like me, and here to travel, then you probably are traveling on a budget. Well, if you are studying abroad in Europe, go to ryanair.com. This website will save you so much money when traveling. You can find plane tickets for as low as €10! No joke. So plan your travels ahead of time, and get the right deal.
• Walk or ride a bike. Back at home I was so used to driving my car everywhere, so when I came here, walking or riding a bike was something I really didn't want to do. Taking a bus around here in Breda costs €3,50 one way, and €5,50 for a day pass. It can be pretty expensive when you think about it! Especially since it is even more expensive when converted to American dollars. Nothing here is actually "far". I walk 25 minutes each way to school. If you chose to get a bike, that works too! It saves you money, and lets you enjoy the beauty of the city you live in.
• Taking the train? Get an OV-Chip Card. You can actually use the chip-card for trains and busses around the Netherlands here, and they save you money as well. I know that because I am an exchange student and here for only 6 months, I can't get it free (usually the school will pay for it), but I can buy one for €7,50 and then add money on the card; but it still saves me money!

Living on a budget isn't easy, especially when you are in another country and want to do and see everything. Sometimes I forget that I have American dollars in my bank account. I start getting in this zone where I know everything as euros, even though I call them bucks. 

Oh, and one more thing that I didn't put on the list, but goes out to all the girls...stay away from Primark. It is the devil. It sucks you into it's doors and lures you in with all their low prices and amazing fashion pieces. Luckily there isn't one here in Breda (if there were then I would be broke by now), but there is one in Eindhoven which is just about a 30 minute train ride away. If you are trying to save your money, then ladies, I suggest you stay away from Pirmark. 

Food, Windmills, and Picturesque Sunsets

Oceanside, Volendam, NL

Oh the Netherlands. Sometimes this country never ceases to amaze me! Especially when it comes to certain things, like little Dutch Villages! So, how did this become today's wonderful topic? Well, one of my classmates, Mimi, told me about this "traditional Dutch village right outside of Amsterdam". The second I heard her say that, I said, "let's go!" And so we did.

Amy, Mimi and I took the train to Amsterdam, and when we finally got there, I was so amazed at
how cool it was! And we were just at the train station. After searching for the bus platform, we took the bus to Volendam. It was about a 30 minute bus ride, and after we go there, we walked to where everything was, which was by the ocean. It was gorgeous. The way the air felt, and the smell of fresh fish being sold by the pier, oh, and the smell of the waffles. I swear if I closed my eyes, it would seem like I was in Seattle again.

Kroket, zalmsalade & zalm met gebakken ei

The only downside to this little adventure, was that it was freezing cold. And when I say that, I mean it. It was so cold and so windy, all we did was complain. After picture time by the water and the complaining was over, we walked around. I feel like we did everything while we were there. We went and had our pictures taken in traditional Dutch costumes, bought a little wooden clog keychain as a souvenir, went to the cheese factory and ate as much free cheese as possible, got our hands on some delicious poffertjes, and sat down for a nice lunch.

We ate at Restaurant de Dijk and Amy and I immediately ordered Chocomel (Dutch hot chocolate). I was feeling in the Dutchy kind of mood, so I decided I was going to order a traditional Volendam lunch. This is something I actually would recommend to someone, but you have to like salmon! This dish consists of a kroket, salmon paste type stuff, with raw salmon and an egg, all served on your choice of white of wheat bread. I thought it was the perfect dish when sitting and looking out the window to see the ocean.

Windmill, Zaanse Schans, NL

Next on our to-do list was to head back to Amsterdam to catch a train to Zaanse Schans, which is just 15 minutes north of Amsterdam. Now, if you want to see some windmills and giant clogs, this is the place to be. It was beautiful! Now remember, it was also freezing cold, so on top of trying to forget about how cold we were and trying to ignore the smell of something from the nearby factories, we were here to enjoy the views.

After we crossed the bridge, there was this area that looked like its own town inside this town. There were small houses with really pretty yards, tiny little stores, and bridges crossing over the water at every turn you made. It was like a fairytale! We also saw the very first Albert Heijn grocery store there. Turns out it was a house, and it started back in the 1800s. So it's not that old, but it was old enough to grab my attention!

Sunset, Zaanse Schans, NL

Anyways, so we walked around and looked at all the cool shops that were closed and what-not, and then Mimi led us to this watchtower. Now, it just so happened to be that we got there right when the sun was setting, so the view was perfect. We looked out into the near distance to see the windmills, the orange sun with the colored sky, and...well look at the picture and see for yourself! It was such a peaceful view, and it makes you wish you could look out your window and see that everyday!

It was a sight to see that is for sure. So, if you are ever just cruising around the Netherlands and have time to spare while you are in Amsterdam, I suggest you take a trip to Volendam and Zaanse Schans. You will not be disappointed when you see the breathtaking view of the windmills, or feel the cool ocean breeze with a hint of fishy sweetness on the coast.

Cramming for Exams - Get Rid of Stress!

A lot of my friends here in Breda are getting ready for exams this block. Me on the other hand, has no exams at all. My biggest worries in life right now is if I will get a coffee in the morning, or if I have to spend a day watching Netflix. I guess you can say that I am lucky…but a part of me feels bad for my friends that are constantly stressing!

I have been in that situation, don’t get me wrong. Cramming for exams in one week while trying to balance your social life, it can be rough. But sometimes I feel for my friends who are trying to get all these assignments turned in last minute, while trying to prepare for their exams. I have been there for them, and have helped them along the way.

It is actually kind of funny because I am the only American here, and so all my friends in the building come to me to look over their english and make sure that their grammar is correct. I guess it was actually worth something to pay attention in English class all those years.

So as my friends are coming to me to look over their assignments, I understand the stress! I try doing things with them to try and relieve the stress. So, if you are in one of these situations, I have come up with a list of options that you can do to try and relieve some of that stress of preparing for exams.

Take a break. Sometimes you can be so caught up in trying to get things done, that you forget to give yourself a break! Some good ways of taking breaks can include:

Tulips in Breda, NL

• Go for a walk. It’s starting to turn into Spring, so get out and enjoy the glorious weather!

• Go to lunch with friends. I have a favorite place here in Breda, Bagels and Beans. I come here all the time that the baristas know me! But I like to take my friends here because they also enjoy it. Sipping a hot cappuccino with a pastry can make you feel just a bit better.

• Window shop. Now you don’t have to buy anything, but I know that taking my friends on a walk around the block and walking in a few stores can take your mind away from all that paperwork. 

• Take time to make dinner with your friends. I actually do this a lot with my friend Heidi. There will be times where she is so busy with work, and I will say, “hey lets make dinner”. After two hours of hanging out and laughing, she feels better about getting the work done!

• Don’t wait until last minute. Procrastination is everyone’s best friend around exam time, but it’s one thing you must avoid! There have been countless times I have waited until the last minute to finish an assignment or study for an exam. It sucks! So avoid procrastination by starting on things early.

Now I know some of these may be cliche for stress relievers, but I honestly think that dealing with stress while your abroad is different than when you are back at home. When you are abroad, your mind constantly wonders and you start feeling different emotions. For instance, when I first got here, I was so stressed because I wanted to leave. Now that the stress is gone and I have found how to keep myself busy and be happy, I no longer worry.

I know for my friend Lotta, she is always stressed about the fieldwork she has to do, and all the assignments that follow. The fact that she is in another country stresses her out as well. She doesn’t want to be here and isn’t enjoying her time because she is so stressed! If you are suffering from more than just stress from exams, try these tips.

My friends and I taking a road trip to Eindhoven, NL

• Take a trip. Sometimes when you leave your comfort zone and go explore somewhere new, you get so excited to go that it gives you that drive to finish your work, or get as much done as possible, and finish it later. They don’t have to be big, expensive trips either. A day trip to Amsterdam or Antwerpen can sometimes do the trick. 

• Go see a movie. Where I live, the theatre is right down the street, like a 15 minute walk. If you don’t want to be all cooped up in your room watching Netflix on your computer as your school work is viciously staring at you, grab a friend or two and see a movie! 

• Plan a night out. I know that the Dutch love to go out and party and have fun, so there are always busy bars and clubs in City Centre. Plan a night out with your girlfriends! Just going out for a drink or two, get all dressed up, and ready to have fun can make everyone happy!

  

  My first time on a bike here in the Netherlands

• Do something different. When I came to the Netherlands, I was pretty skeptical on some things that they did. It was different, and I didn’t like different. Now, when my friends are stressing out or having a bad day, I will say something like, “want to go try the food from the wall?” or “let’s go to that museum down the street”. Doing something different gives you that adrenaline rush that you need to get your mind off that dreaded schoolwork. 

• Sometimes it’s the little things that matter. Being the person in the middle of everyone else who is stressed from school, I try and cheer them up any way I can. And sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference. My friends Heidi and Lotta are from Finland, so sometimes I go and talk with them, and then start speaking Finnish with them! They find it hilarious, and laughter is the best medicine. 

I don’t want to sound like some commercial, but if you or a friend is suffering from stress of school, being abroad, or both, help them! Ever since I came to the Netherlands, I have looked at life a completely different way. Instead of being grouchy and negative a majority of the time, I have been positive and cheerful, ready to make each day great. 

Say good-bye to stress, and say hello to happiness! 

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Spring!

Oh spring, my favorite season. Why? Well back in Flagstaff I loved seeing all the colors come back to life on the trees, and the flowers begin to bloom. I'm not in Flagstaff anymore. Being in Europe and experiencing spring is so fantastic! I got here at the end of January, so it was always cold, and it would snow, rain, hail, you name it! But now that it is March, it's warming up, and there isn't as much rain; which makes me happy!

There are a few things that make me so excited about spring:

• No more jackets!! Just being able to wear a pair of capris with some cute heels and a short sleeve shirt makes things all the better.
• The sun is out! The Netherlands is a beautiful country, but being able to see it with the sun shining is nice! You don't feel so depressed, and you get your vitamin D! 
• The idea of sitting outside at a cafe table sipping a delicious cappuccino with some Dutch snacks. Pure perfection.
• Tulips. There isn't much to say there! But the Netherlands apparently gets covered with them in the spring! So a trip somewhere to see the tulips and windmills will be happening very soon.

Enjoying a Rosebrier outside in Breda City Centre

Don't get me wrong, I love Flagstaff and I love the snow, but you can't go wrong with warm air and sunshine! There is just something about the sun being out and people walking around that makes me happy! I just love life when it's like this! Now I know it is only March, but the fact that it is warming up makes me happy.

Sunday's are usually lazy days for everyone here in Breda; but today has definitely been an exception! I woke up around 8am and looked out the window to see that there were no cars in the parking lot. Come 11am, the lot was filled! So it isn't just me that wants to get some sunshine.

And if you think that you can go to Grote Markt or somewhere in City Centre and grab a table no problem, you are wrong! Heidi and I walked around for a solid 25 minutes trying to find somewhere to sit when we found a small bench outside in the cafe area to sit. People are serious about being outside!

So if there is anything that I learned about the sun, it's that the dutch will sit out in the sun all day and not give up their seat at a cafe for anyone. I mean, you really can't blame them! The fact that there has been sunshine all day and no rain is like a miracle! Yeah it is a bit breezy, but it sure isn't scaring any of us away.

And if there is one thing that I learned about today, it would be that when the temperature is supposed to be 63°F and no clouds, you take full advantage of it. Start your day early! If you don't have any plans, make plans to go and enjoy the day!

Spring may be just getting started, but I can say all of us here in Breda are ready for it! Bring on the warm weather!!

Dutch Food

As the days go by, and the fun times roll on here in Breda, I start to feel more accepting of the fact that I am here, and not going anywhere. Kind of funny to think that I wanted to leave. Gosh, I can't even imagine leaving this place now! But living here can be a challenge at times. Back home in the states, I was so used to just hopping in my car and going through the drive-thru at Wendy's to pick up some nuggets, or having my friend pick me and Alex up to go and get dinner on campus somewhere, or whatever. Here, you have to hop on a bike, or walk everywhere.

I realized that a lot of the people here in the Netherlands don't actually know how to cook, so they all eat out or just eat little snack type things. This is when I am glad I paid attention to my parents in the kitchen! I cook every single night and day. I go to the grocery store, Albert Heijn, every few days for fresh food, and I cook myself a lunch and dinner every day.

When the girls and I went to Brussels for a few days, we went out every night because we didn't have a kitchen to cook in while we were in the hotel; and eating out really showed us how good Belgian food is! I mean, the food wasn't that pricy, but man was it good! Scottish steak, grilled salmon, just everything I had was really good. And that is when it got me thinking...if this is what Belgian food tastes like, why haven't I tasted any Dutch food?

The answer to that is simple. Before I came to the Netherlands for my study abroad program, I researched a lot of things. I wanted to know what the buildings were like, how many windmills there were, where all the castles were, and what the food looked like. I searched on Pinterest, Google, you name it; and all I could come across was deep fried food. I was pretty skeptical not going to lie.

Dutch food samples - Cafe Sam Sam; Breda, NL

So the other day, Heidi and I were at this place in city centre called Cafe Sam Sam. They had amazing chocolate cappuccino's. But when I met this girl Alexandra to talk about a "going to Flagstaff guide book", she asked if we tried Dutch food. Heidi and I looked at each other, laughed, and said no. It's not that we were scared to try it, but I mean, come on, there is a wall where you can get food for crying out loud!

Anyways, Alexandra ordered the plate of samples of different Dutch food. There was bitterballen, frikandel, kaassouffle, and some nuggets.  To say the least, I was more confused than anything! Bitterballen tasted like deep fried gravy, frikandel was a deep fried saussage, kaassouffle was deep fried cheese, and the nuggets were not made of chicken. It was different, I will admit that. But as sketched out as I was about trying it, it turns out that none of it was actually bad. It was different.

After Heidi and I tasted the food, I told Lotta about it, and she was so intrigued and wanted to try some! So a few days later Lotta and I met up for lunch and drinks, and we ordered a sample plate with all of those traditional dutch food pieces. It was better than the first time I had it, and I realized that it's okay to order this.

So bottom line, you might not be so into trying new things, but once you do, I guarantee you that you made a good choice. I can't imagine living in the Netherlands and not eating dutch food! It's like being in Italy and not eating pasta.

First Time on European Roads

Picture of a windmill I took on the freeway

The best way to see the world is either by plane, or car. That is a fact indeed. When it comes to seeing Europe, a train is also a great way; but it costs a lot of money. On Saturday, a few of us wanted to go to Eindhoven to go shopping, get lunch, and have just a fun girls day. We were planning on traveling there by train since it is about an hour away. When my friend Sofie's friend came to visit from Belgium, he had a car and offered to drive! It was so much better that way too. Not only did we save €20, but I finally had my first car ride on the freeways here in the Netherlands!

It was so different than in America. The cars are so zippy and small, and dutch drivers are so much more aggressive than city drivers! Who would think that is a thing? It was so much better than taking the train; we put on some fun tunes, laughed, and enjoyed our drive to Eindhoven.

The best way that I can describe the scenery of the Netherlands, was a mix between Pennsylvania and North Dakota. It was flat, farm land, and there were lots of trees and it was all green. Best part? I saw like my fifth windmill since I've been here! Yeah I know major step for me...

Anyways, I think it is funny how different Europe is from the states because there are no automatic cars! All of the cars here are stick shift, and on the freeways, there are two lanes on each side. It was an experience, and for the first time in a while, I had fun being in the back seat of a car driving somewhere.