After traveling for about nine days in Iceland my bones were cold and my mind was overwhelmed. It hadn’t quite sunk in yet that our lives were more than a quick two-week vacation but now a full-time adventure. The pace in Iceland, moving from place to place every night was exhausting but I will affirm made me an expert packer! We saw so many lovely things in Iceland but it was time to relax and sit still, even if only for a week in Amsterdam. We rented a perfect little apartment just outside of the heart of the city. It was a quiet yet still bustling street and we had access to a lovely balcony overlooking the neighborhood. I loved the freedom of waking up sluggishly in the mornings and enjoying a cup of coffee in our first semi-permanent little home. Amsterdam It was so funny to me that we had heard from everyone how crazy and party-filled Amsterdam is yet this is where I found a great sense of rest and reprieve. Just as Vegas many times served as a strangely relaxing place for Brent and I, where we could draw the heavy curtains and fall into a heavy undisturbed sleep each night, we did the same here. With no pressure to wake early because everything stays open most all day and all night it allows for a very open schedule; it was this same rhythm that had offered me peace in Vegas that Amsterdam fulfilled my great need. Not to say we didn’t have a few fun nights here as well though. Of course we strolled through the red light district, which also similar to Vegas felt very touristy and like a sort of street-side burlesque show. We walked through the areas with “coffeeshops” which are the pot bars, not to be confused with “koffee shops," which serve actual coffee. We meandered through all the touristy and lovely sights that the city had to offer as well, including the Van Gogh museum. After a week and feeling so settled it was difficult to pack our bags and hit the road again.. but our main goal was to make our friend’s wedding in Ghent, Belgium so had had to continue on our way. Rotterdam The next stop was Rotterdam, which was high on my list of places to visit for a very personal reason! My step-dad was in the Navy and I always love to hear his stories of these times. When he talks about his adventures as a young man aboard a nuclear submarine his blue-grey eyes always light up and his most animated stories emerge. Right before we left the US we stayed with my parents for several days and I got the chance to hear again some of his tales. He spoke of Rotterdam in such an enthusiastic way, adventures with food and the kind people, that I had to go there! I hoped to walk in some of the same places he had been and connect with his younger and most adventurous self. I was proud to wear the same shirt he did, so long ago during his time in the navy, while taking pictures along the port. I did feel a connection to him.... and for that there is a special place in my heart for this city. Once we arrived and began exploring I could see why he loved it so much. It holds a slower pace than Amsterdam and the people were really great! Our hosts at the room we rented were quite lovely and though I’m certain they were different than what my step-dad had encountered, their uniquely artistic home and warm demeanor made me feel welcomed. The food we ate here was some of the best we had eaten yet with a remarkable breakfast where Brent captured my love affair with the homemade caramel and chocolate sauces served with our meal. The city itself offered some truly fantastic architecture. I’m not sure I will ever see another city like this! It was a distinctive mixture of modern and medieval. Much of the town had been destroyed during WWII and so many parts of the city were rebuilt in a completely new style. We were in the city on May 14th, which was the anniversary of the bombing of the city back in 1940. It was a strange feeling of celebration and sadness; at least that’s how I felt as we walked amongst the town seeing the planned activities commemorating this day. We spent a day doing a walking tour viewing much of the architecture of the city. I felt I could get lost amongst all of the magically designed buildings. Some were built with such whimsy and I couldn’t help but smile as I imagined that is what the architect had intended. The cube houses particularly come to mind. We spent a few euros to tour one of the model homes and it was just crazy! I would argue not the most efficient use of space but very interesting none the less. I looked in awe at the wavy, the sharp-edged, the smooth, and the lego-like shapes throughout the city and was in awe. Rotterdam felt both small and large and I wonder how similar in size it is to Boston, one of my favorite US cities. The room we stayed in was one of the most fun places ever! The husband is an artist (you can see his art at Marindejong.com). The house mirrored the eccentricity I felt was part of this great city and with permission, I took photos of one of the most charming places I think we may stay in. As the life of a nomad goes it was once again time for us to move on.
Holland was very good to us, even if it was still a bit chilly for our taste. My only regret his missing seeing the great tulip fields and gardens and Kukenhoff. But if this is my only loss then I’m certain it has been a great start!
3 Comments
Aunt Sherry
6/12/2015 08:21:12 am
What a wonderful adventure you 2 are having! Love you sweet girl and be safe!
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Jenny Lim
9/30/2015 04:55:00 pm
Glad to see you two are enjoying life. Sarge and I just had a baby girl and our life has changed. So we're living vicariously through your adventures. Be safe, and continue to smile! Glad you two are doing this. Symantec is still the same. Not missing much.
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Laura Lane
10/2/2015 08:42:15 am
Jenny- Hi! Thank you for the kind words. I'll try to keep the blog more up-to-date so you can "feel it" more real time. Ha!
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