Amsterdarn!

My first trip into Amsterdam... and I love it!

First impressions? It's cool.  It feels like New York because there's so much going on, and so many cultures present, but the people are friendly, open and lively.  I might even go so far and say "jovial".  One of my American friends later observed - everyone seems really happy here. I went with some friends to a pub to watch Holland play Japan (and you call it football here!)... and there was a child's birthday party going on (yes, kids in the bar!) and when they sang happy birthday everyone chimed in and sang along and cheered.

My first taste of culture shock came when I went to the bathroom and was greeted by a Toilet Token Taker.  Picture this: a man behind a table taking 50 cents for use of the bathroom! OMG!!! I laughed.  But the good news is he also has a plate of breath mints that you're welcome to, as well as a few bottles of aerosol deodorant that you can use!  

This street just near the Red Light has plenty of bars and weed.

Later I went into the city and did some shopping and touring around.  Of course I had to see the red light district (sorry - no photos - it's illegal to do that!).  It was early enough in the day that it wasn't really busy.  It felt awkward.  Women in lingerie sitting on a stool winking and beckoning men as they pass by.  These women aren't models by any means... and most of them look bored out of their minds.  Many are on their cell phones.  In my mind we have prostitution too - in Vegas it's everywhere.  I'd rather see them strutting in their heels on the strip than in a little glass cage on their cellphone.  Not that I'm advocating for either.

There was plenty of Orange Mania for the game!

I didn't spend long on my first trip - but enough to have some good laughs while people watching.  We went to the "Dam" which is a big square and an easy meeting place.  There was one man on a microphone who kept saying "Hello?" "Hello?" "Hello?"  "I'm over here.  I like attention".  And another guy had 4 dogs on a leash - and two more in a baby stroller!  

Au Pairs hangin out at the Dam

Well between the people, the canals, the shops, the architecture and sights unseen I knew I wanted to come back for more!

Day 1 in The Netherlands

Day 1: I think I've seen it all.

European kiss.

After 11 hours of flight, 2 layovers and lousy airplane food I landed in Amsterdam, exchanged my dolla bills and rounded the corner to the sight of 4 little beaming faces eagerly smiling up at tme.  Es, the mother of my new host family greeted me with a big smile and ready kiss - I felt completely welcome. 

European cars.

The kids helped carry my luggage through the airport as we snaked through throngs of people, up the lift (which is like moving sidewalk that takes you up a ramp) and into the parking garage.  I had to stop myself and take a second look at the car - the steering wheel is on the other side! The family brought it with them from the UK when they moved 3 years ago. I've never felt so awkward sitting on the passenger side in my life!

Tiny houses. 
I think at this point it's safe to say everything (or at least most things) are smaller here. Smaller roads, smaller houses, smaller stairways, smaller bedrooms (think half the size of a college dorm room!).


Dutch fare.

When I arrived at my new home I shared my first meal in Holland (just because my body thinks it's 5am doesn't mean I can't dive in to lunch!)... which consists of bread with peanut butter and chocolate sprinkes (yes, I said sprinkles), bread with butter and gouda cheese, bread with nutella, bread with minced meat... bread with butter and a slice of spice bread  (bread sandwhich anyone?).  Lots of bread.


We started talking food and I learned that in addition to Dutch fare there's also a decent amount of variety in the city: Indonesian I had heard about but they also have Thai and even Mexican (which put a big smile on my face!). 


The Dutch and their bikes.


Wow. Once I had a chance to settle into my new room (which is enormous by their standards) we went out to run a few errands and see Haarlem.  Here's what the bikes are like - 

All the bikes look like this, and everyone rides everywhere.  And when I say everyone - I mean everyone! I was one of them now - scooting along amonst the pedestrians, mopeds and many other bicycles along the cobblestone streets. They have bikes lanes that look almost exactly like those in Portland except that they're everywhere (not just along Hawthorne and near PSU) and they're marked by reddish pavement instead of green paint. 


Cannabis.
Coffee shops advertising for cannabis.  I've seen it!


Fashion.
Europe has Portland hands-down (sorry hipsters!), and is more fashionable in the little town of Haarlem than in NY! We just can't compete.  American girls can strut their stuff, but let's face it - there aren't a lot of American men who really bother with fashion. Funny thing is I'm so NOT used to well-dressed men that it makes me feel like I'm in a sea of metros (sorry Euro boys!).  And here fashion is for all ages - little girls with neckscarves to the very elderly with caps and nice shoes. It's amazing. 


Tastes of home. 


The kids asked me if I like Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, or Myley Cyrus (1 out of 3 is not too bad?). There's also a McDonalds in beautiful, historic downtown. Damn McDonalds.


Fish.


Herring is a "thing" here.  Apparently you eat it raw with pickles and onions. I'm going to have to try that! Lekker! 

Architecture


There's so much amazing architecture. From your home, to the office spaces to the grand old church that houses the Muller organ once played by Mozart himself. St. Bavo Kerk~

... And that's just my first day here!

Iceland

When I flew in to Holland I had a layover in Iceland.  The flight over was far enough North, that we had daylight the entire trip, so when I landed at 7am, it felt really strange.

The seats on the airplane had Iceland quotes like this one... "Ast" is the noun for love in Icelandic.  But the verb is different.  Be careful not to say: "Pu ast mig." That means: You ate me. Use the verb "elska" instead.

Iceland is a strange place.

It's about the size of Kentucky, and inhabits only 300,000 people.  60% of the people live in Reykjavik (which is where I landed).

In my mind, I think Icelandic sounds a bit like Russian spoken with a Spanish accent. Their language is so close to what the vikings spoke, that most Icelanders can read viking!

The country is kind of like Alaska - known for its raw beauty.  Iceland boasts incredible waterfalls, whale watching, geothermal pools, and active volcanoes (I'll bet that last one came as a surprise!). 

When I landed I saw black earth extending for miles and miles, dotted with vegetation here and there, which upon a closer look turned out to be tiny purple flowers.  I caught myself wondering "what is this place?!" But maybe that was the jet lag?

The Launching Pad

I’m fully whelmed with the happy life I have had in Portland. In the past couple of weeks I’ve had such a great time catching up and spending quality time with friends and family, I feel incredibly loved.

Last night I got “roasted” by a group of dear souls and as they shared a few stories about my life, and I realized how fully Portland has become home to me because of the wonderful people who shared their lives with me. From anecdotes about the impromptu escapades (shoving chips and pasta into our purses and sneaking it into the theater), to riding horses and deciding to munch on the horse treats, to the stories of nights shared “killin it on the dance floor”… there are so many stories that I can think about of why I love my friends and will miss being in Portland!

It was also pointed out that I have moved a lot so more travel doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. The countdown to the launch…..

THREE! (Moscow,ID)
TWO! (Spokane, WA)
ONE! (Portland, OR)

BLAST OFF!!!
To THE NETHERLANDS (and BEYOND?!!)

FAQ

Hello!

I've been getting loads of questions from people, so here's the scoop on my au pair gig in Europe....

Why do you want to go?

It's been a personal dream of mine to spend a year in Europe - to expand myself personally and professionally - and to explore European culture first-hand. 

I know that leaving my home, loved ones, and career is a big sacrifice - but it's too big of an opportunity to pass up!

When do you go? Where will you live once you get there?

 I get there on June 18th, and I'll live with my Dutch host family.  The kids are ages 5 (girl), 8 (girl), 9 (boy), and 12 (girl).  And a golden retriever!  I'll be in the city of Haarlem, near Amsterdam.

Will you be working in nutrition at all?

While I won't be practicing as a dietitian while there, I'm going to build my practical skills by cooking healthy meals for four kids (yes, I said 4!!) every day, and I'm going to network to get myself as involved as possible in the nutrition community there.

Why now?

Timing is huge! I've been working several jobs for a while now, fighting the economy.  The up-side of that is that I'm not fully immersed in my career - and since I don't have any personal obligations holding me here, it's an  excellent chance to take a year to travel!

What exactly will you do?

I'll be an au pair for the kids - taking them to school in the mornings, picking them up in the afternoons, and making dinner.  I'll have evenings and weekends to myself to enjoy living in Europe!

I found out about the au pair idea through a friend of mine and once I looked into it I realized that it sounds like a great fit.  So I contacted an agency that does au pair placements and from there everything came together rapidly!

________________

Keep in touch!  I'll be fully "wired" in Europe - email, Skype, Facebook, and my blog.

All my best,

Lynae

How in the world I ended up in Haarlem

Good question (I'm still wondering myself).

It was summer in Philadelphia, and somewhere between the humidity, coaching teenagers in the many cooking classes I was a part of, I was struck with the realization that Europeans are.....so "European".  I saw two 14-year old's side-by-side, one of them eating candy necklaces, referencing favorite TV shows, whining and missing home... the other composed, articulate, and with an air of *something* that - after two and a half months living with about 700 Euopean and American youths - I still had no word for how European kids are so different... so European?.

I knew I had to move to Europe.   I wasn't interested in spending a few weeks snapping photos of myself with the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, a German castle.... I wanted to live there and see what makes Europeans so different. That was summer 2007.  I still had to a year of college and wanted to spend a couple of years establishing some connections in the nutrition world before chasing this dream. 


So, in January 2010 I knew it was time. I started doing my homework and accepted a 1-year position as an Au Pair in Haarlem, The Netherlands.

Let me introduce you to Holland with a few fun-filled facts....

The Netherlands:

• Is also known as "Holland".  The capital is Amsterdam.
• Borders Belgium (which borders France) to the West; and Germany on the East.  England is to the Northwest.
• Is less than 1/3 of the size of Washington, my home state (in square miles).
• Is known for wind mills, vast fields of tulips, and wooden clogs (winning the Dutch the nickname "Cloggies").

I'm going to Haarlem (the original "Harlem") mid-June, and I will be there about 1 year working as an Au Pair!!!