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!