Very exciting for us in February was that we had friends from home come to visit. Our friends had a wedding in Paris and decided to extend their trip and spend a few days in Amsterdam and in The Hague. They came with their 6 month old daughter, who is absolutely adorable. It was interesting to have to track down a car seat and pack and play, but we found the essentials so were all set for them. We met them one night in Amsterdam and took them to one of our favorite kosher restaurants in the city, Hacarmel. They said they also quite enjoyed it. Then on Thursday night we picked them up in Amsterdam. That was the first time we ever drove through the side streets in the Amsterdam city center. It was actually quite scary because the roads are so narrow and often on your left and right are canals. We were able to navigate our way thru and then took them to the kosher pizza place. Then Friday we explored The Hague. Scott would have taken off, but he was taking a 3 day First Aid course which he couldn’t miss. He volunteered to be a first aid responder at work and despite his extensive EMT training in the USA, he was required to take the course. We went to the Escher Museum and Mauritius museum, which houses the famous, painting Girl with the Pearl Earring. Then walked around the City Center and afterwards went over to the Peace Palace, which house the International Court of Justice. It is under construction, but you can still see the magnificent exterior which was financed by American Andrew Carnegie. Shabbos was so nice with them here. We had over about 9 people for lunch including us and our friends. They were able to meet some of our friends here and learn about life in The Hague. I know our friends were really impressed by the shul and Jewish community. Sunday we took them to Madurodam, which a replication of Holland in miniature. It is a site to see when you come to Holland. It was such a nice weekend for us to again show friends from home our life here. Before they came they asked us if they could bring anything from home. I said just them coming is a gift onto itself. It warms our hearts to every so often get to spend time with friends from home. It keeps us connected. Thanks Rivka, Marc and Neta!!!
Also in the past few weeks, we experienced dentistry in Holland. We had our checkups and I had a cavity filled. It was a bit of an overwhelming feeling as during the procedure they were speaking in Dutch and hard not to understand a word they were saying. But filling looks good and I survived, so can’t complain.
Last weekend we finally spent Sunday exploring in Amsterdam. We went to the Rijksmuseum to see the Rembrandt paintings and the famous Night Watch and then headed off to The Van Gogh Museum. At night we had the opportunity to go hear a speaker at the Amsterdam Jewish Community Center. It was a great opportunity to meet some new people and we had our first taste of kosher sushi in Holland. We were so excited and asked the rebbetzin where it came from and she said they hired someone to make it. Oh well. I guess another thing we can learn to make.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Some thoughts in February
Things have been very status quo here. We are basically settled in to the way of life and with the days getting longer and the sun starting to shine more, we feel ready for the spring and some more exploring of Europe. The weather has really been so great that I can’t complain. In the high 40’s, yes I still go by Fahrenheit, even though I can do the conversion from Celsius.
Today I happened to shop in a department store in the town center which I have never been to before. As I explored the kitchen goods, I found all the items you would find in Macy’s or Bed Bath and Beyond. They even had some of the brands. Again been so interesting to see that yes you can really buy most things you can buy in the states, you just have to know where to look.
I wanted to share the following story from last Sabbath. Scott and I went to the Rabbi’s house for lunch along with two of the elderly women in the community. We had heard that one of the women has lost all her family in the war, but that was the extent. I started talking to the other lady and she told me that she was hidden during the war and even though she went thru hard times, she can’t at all fathom the experience the other women had of making it thru Auschwitz and losing her entire family. Was so interesting because here was a woman who had experienced the war firsthand saying that her experience was nothing compared to others and how strong the other lady was in life. I hope to be able to hear more of their stories in our time here. Most people here don’t mind talking about it, but often it is the language barrier that is difficult.
Today I happened to shop in a department store in the town center which I have never been to before. As I explored the kitchen goods, I found all the items you would find in Macy’s or Bed Bath and Beyond. They even had some of the brands. Again been so interesting to see that yes you can really buy most things you can buy in the states, you just have to know where to look.
I wanted to share the following story from last Sabbath. Scott and I went to the Rabbi’s house for lunch along with two of the elderly women in the community. We had heard that one of the women has lost all her family in the war, but that was the extent. I started talking to the other lady and she told me that she was hidden during the war and even though she went thru hard times, she can’t at all fathom the experience the other women had of making it thru Auschwitz and losing her entire family. Was so interesting because here was a woman who had experienced the war firsthand saying that her experience was nothing compared to others and how strong the other lady was in life. I hope to be able to hear more of their stories in our time here. Most people here don’t mind talking about it, but often it is the language barrier that is difficult.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
January 2011
Welcome back to our Eurotrip adventure. The New Year has started off very well. Just back from a 2 week trip to the US. Sorry if I didn’t get to see you when I was back, but this trip was really to meet and spend time with my new nephew. It was so nice to be with my family and friends who I did get to see. It was great that I happened to be home during Noah’s third birthday and got to go to his school for a birthday party and give him his presents in person. I got to experience some of the crazy East Coast weather in the time I was home as it snowed about 3 times. I was debating whether to bring to the states my snow boots and it was a great thing I did. I made sure to eat in as many kosher restaurants as I could to get my kosher food fix. I even decided to bring back a few bagels with me, so when I think of home I can eat a genuine NY bagel. We also brought back about 8 lbs. of American cheese and a few more Wacky Mac boxes so am all set. It was hard to not go crazy and buy everything in sight to bring back with us, but I think we stocked up well this trip so will be set for a while. I am not sure the next time we will head back to the states, and I am sure in the next few months we will need a US fix, so feel free to come visit.
After being away for a short time, now back settling in to The Hague. It was nice to head back to our Synagogue last weekend and catch up with some of our friends. I even taught one of them about Pam cooking spray. He had never heard of it before, imagine that. It came up in conversation, because I was telling him how I had brought one bottle back from the states because here is very expensive. It is funny because I carried a bunch of food items back from the states that since I have been back I have seen in the shops. I swear they weren’t around before. Just yesterday I discovered a new kosher shop in Amsterdam that sells salsa, Pam, crock pots, warming trays, hot water makers, and many other items I recognize from home. This was a very exciting discovery.
This week was exciting because I drove for the first time in The Netherlands. I took a baby step and drove to a friend’s home a couple miles away. My concern never is the actual driving, but rather the parallel parking. Thankfully as was during the day there were many large spots available and I was able to park. Go me!!! Now the possibilities for exploration are endless.
This week I also had the opportunity to go to Amsterdam and tour the Resistance Museum with the American Women’s Club. This group organized this event and about 19 women showed up. We first walked around the museum, which was very powerful. It showed the history of what happened during WWII with those who tried to resist the German occupation and also portrayed the story of the Jews. After we walked thru the museum we had a walking tour around the old Jewish section seeing buildings that used to be part of Jewish life like a hospital or home of a community rabbi and then also the old Jewish Theater where the Jews were rounded up to prior to deportation. Now living here and knowing people who were alive during that time, you really have a different perspective on this history. It is not like being in Washington DC and going to the Holocaust Museum. To know the history and then see the places around you is very overwhelming and powerful.
After being away for a short time, now back settling in to The Hague. It was nice to head back to our Synagogue last weekend and catch up with some of our friends. I even taught one of them about Pam cooking spray. He had never heard of it before, imagine that. It came up in conversation, because I was telling him how I had brought one bottle back from the states because here is very expensive. It is funny because I carried a bunch of food items back from the states that since I have been back I have seen in the shops. I swear they weren’t around before. Just yesterday I discovered a new kosher shop in Amsterdam that sells salsa, Pam, crock pots, warming trays, hot water makers, and many other items I recognize from home. This was a very exciting discovery.
This week was exciting because I drove for the first time in The Netherlands. I took a baby step and drove to a friend’s home a couple miles away. My concern never is the actual driving, but rather the parallel parking. Thankfully as was during the day there were many large spots available and I was able to park. Go me!!! Now the possibilities for exploration are endless.
This week I also had the opportunity to go to Amsterdam and tour the Resistance Museum with the American Women’s Club. This group organized this event and about 19 women showed up. We first walked around the museum, which was very powerful. It showed the history of what happened during WWII with those who tried to resist the German occupation and also portrayed the story of the Jews. After we walked thru the museum we had a walking tour around the old Jewish section seeing buildings that used to be part of Jewish life like a hospital or home of a community rabbi and then also the old Jewish Theater where the Jews were rounded up to prior to deportation. Now living here and knowing people who were alive during that time, you really have a different perspective on this history. It is not like being in Washington DC and going to the Holocaust Museum. To know the history and then see the places around you is very overwhelming and powerful.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Years Eve
So as we approached New Years Eve in The Hague, we were told that in the days preceding we would start to hear random moments of fireworks/firecrackers. This would culminate on New Years eve where all over the city people would set off their own fireworks. Unlike NY/NJ, this is not illegal in Holland. There are certain kinds of firworks/fircrackers which are illegal, but many can be purchased in stores all over the country. So true to form leading up to New Years, we heard some ramblings of fireworks. Then on Friday all over kids were setting off firecrackers. It was actually very scary to be outside. And when I say kids, I mean kids as young as 7 and 8. Such an odd cultural difference as this is such a dangerous act that is commonplace here. Friday night we walked to our friend’s house to celebrate New Years Eve. We heard some rambling of fireworks, but knew to expect a show at 12:00. At precisely 12:00, we went outside and it is hard to describe in words the scene. People all over were setting off fireworks and firecrackers. The sky was like the Fourth of July in the US. Some stupid people were even setting their Christmas trees and other assorted items on fire. It was a crazy scene. The fireworks lasted for almost an hour in constant succession, but then you heard them throughout the rest of the early morning hours. It was neat to experience, but it was a bit too crazy for my liking. I prefer to see fireworks set off by professionals. But at least I can say 2011 started off with a bang . . .
Happy New Years to all our dear friends and family!!!
Happy New Years to all our dear friends and family!!!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Yay-I have a new nephew
Also wanted to share that two weeks ago my sister had a baby boy so now I am an aunt again. He is a little bundle of joy-Benyamin Zev. And my favorite little man Noah is now a big brother.
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