There are two questions I get asked every single time I’m talking to someone here in the Netherlands and tell them I’m from Canada… Do you find it very different here compared to where you come from? Which do you like better?
As promised back when I shared the story about the Cheeky Pelican, I have finally finished working on the rest of my zoo photos from my recent visit to Blijdorp Zoo. As usual, where me and my camera are involved, there are a ton of photos. I’ll try to keep it just to my favorites, [...]
I have it, and I’m pretty sure it’s contagious because my husband appears to have caught it too. Don’t worry, we’re not sick. Well, not really… Do you remember four years ago when I watched my first World Cup match? True to my word I made a point of following the the World Cup from [...]
One more thing I love about living in the Netherlands? How bright it stays at night during the spring and summer. The other night we were driving along the highway at 10:30pm and this is how bright it still was. This wasn’t a long exposure or anything done to make it seem brighter than it [...]
Saturday was beautiful and sunny, about 26 degrees and absolutely delightful when we went out for a bike ride. I was talking to my friend Laila and heard that she had spent the day at Scheveningen where everyone was already swimming! I couldn’t believe it, normally I wait until July before I head to the [...]
A few weekends ago my husband came in from walking the dogs and said “You might want to grab your camera, there’s some kind of motorcycle thing going on across the street!”. The sound of motorcycles is nothing new here in Rotterdam, especially in this area. So I didn’t even notice the sounds of them [...]
Today I can mark another item off my 101 List! It was a beautifully sunny day in Rotterdam today and even though my husband is quite sick with a throat infection, that still couldn’t keep him down. Both of us were really keen to get out and do something to enjoy the nice weather so [...]
Something I’ve noticed, and loved, about biking is that I come across things I probably would never have seen otherwise. There are places just steps away from areas I’ve driven a thousand times, where I see something new that I didn’t even know was there. As we were biking along the Oude Maas the other [...]
My husband took this photo of me at about 8am in the morning. We left the house sometime around 7:30am to go for a short ride while the wind was low and the sun was out a bit. It was so peaceful and lovely, I was in heaven! I’m so glad that we are both [...]
The above video was taken this evening just after 8pm. It’s our Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) in the Netherlands today and during a 2 minute silence at Dam Square in Amsterdam panic broke out. There are a number of stories in regards to what started it all, someone screaming, becoming unwell and knocking a barrier over, [...]
This year the Tour de France will begin in Rotterdam. As I was walking over the Erasmusbrug last weekend I saw this on the pavement, all the preparations have begun. The excitement is growing! This is a big thing for Rotterdam and while I’m sure the city center will be a nightmare I’m happy that [...]
After finishing my baby bobble blanket I felt a little lost. I had gotten so used to plunking down in my chair and picking up the blanket to work on that when it was finished and I had nothing to do, I got grumpy. I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to work on next [...]
Now that I have finally broken the 50 lbs lost point and Project Fatass has made it through winter, it’s time to move on to another goal. I won’t say what it is because I’m still too embarrassed by the numbers, but it’s 8 lbs away. Sound easy, right? Yeah, not really. Having already done [...]
Last night I went to my first Rotterdam Challengers game here in Rotterdam. A friend of mine (who will remain nameless to save her from being hounded for favors) told me she had a friend who could get her free tickets so I was like, oh HELL yeah! I love basketball! I’ve been to many [...]
Remember years ago when I posted about Fox News trashing the Netherlands? Then later about the Dutchie’s response to the ridiculous babblings of Bill O’Reilly? I don’t think it’s any secret that I think Bill O’Reilly is a complete douche, nor do I think it’s an unpopular opinion. He’s a blow hard who hears nothing [...]
On February 14, 2010 (Valentine’s Day) the Lock of Love art piece was placed in Rotterdam’s popular district of Delfshaven. The Lock of Love ritual has been taking place all over the world, and is now here in Rotterdam as well. Not just a rail on a bridge or a chain around a lamppost, this [...]
One of the things from my 101 List that I’ve been most keen to do is start riding my bike again. I’ve not ridden my bike in the last number of years because I never found it comfortable. To put it bluntly, I’ve been too fat and self-conscious. We bought it about 5 years ago [...]
Fearless Fourteen
by Janet Evanovich
