Get your own Free Home
Page
My Trip To The Netherlands
I have had many Dutch friends since IRC. As a result of this, I have tried to get to The Netherlands more than once. Three times, in fact. Just happened to be third time lucky! I got there before they tried to flee the country for once :)
The date : Tuesday 28th November 2000. Destination : Elst.
OK, so Elst isn't the centre of the Universe or anything, but Pat is one of my bestest buddies, and it was a catalyst to us meeting! Besides, I don't think anyone else would have been brave enough to put me up for a week :)
The plane journey was fine, and I landed on time. The train journey to Arnhem, however, was a different matter. Well how was I to know they don't announce each station like they do in England?! I guess missing the station I was to change at could have been worse. Still no reason to like Utrecht Central though!!! Anyhow, I eventually made it to Arnhem, and amazingly enough, Pat hadn't run off whilst he had the chance :)
We arrived back at Pat's place to be greeted by his sister Ellen and niece Annouk. Was good to meet them both :)
Pat had the day off Wednesday so we went into Amsterdam. We saw Black Peter and Saint Nicholas in a store. Was an educational experience for sure! I insisted on us eating KFC after all the shopping I did, and like a male, Pat gave in. (Did I give him a choice? Don't be silly! This IS KFC we're talking about!!!)
That evening Pat had a work meal. I wasn't allowed to go, so experienced eating out alone :~( Wasn't too bad actually. The meal was really nice, though I still wondered if the waitresses thought of me what we used to think of those eating alone whilst I was a waitress!! :o/
Thursday I explored Elst. I didn't really want to do much, so walked around. Was market day, so I felt at home. Been too long since I walked around the market back home! After my day of mostly window shopping (plus watching the cute bunnie rabbits with the reindeer in the park nearby!), I wrote and posted all my postcards. We ate out in Elst that evening.
Friday I went to Burgers Zoo in Arnhem. No matter how many, or which zoos you've been to, you haven't lived until you've been to Burgers Zoo!
Saturday morning I rested before finishing off souvenir shopping in Elst. That evening I had dinner with my three favourite Dutchies : Pat, Elard, and Lennart :) After dinner we visited Jeroen and Gina, and watched "Meet The Parents". (Tried to listen too, but can't have everything how you want it!) Was good to see Elard, Lennart and even Jeroen again, and to finally meet Gina :)
Sunday morning I went to the local Protestant church in Elst, with 200 other people!!! (Who says no-one goes to church in The Netherlands and that they're all Catholic?!) Was a really enjoyable service and I was touched. The Communion will always be an experience I treasure. We all went into the Nave and took communion together, the other side of the altar. I look forward to going there again some time! :)
In the evening, Ellen, Annock, Pat's brother-in-law, and one of his cousins came to visit, as it was a day for visiting!
Monday was a sad day, as I was to return to England. All week we'd been working on the web-site for MAN-magazine, and this was no exception! (OK, so Pat worked, and I watched and gave advice if I didn't like what I saw!) We still arrived at the airport exceptionally early, but I was allowed to check my bags in, so it wasn't too bad. We passed the time looking round the shops. Oh yes, and we changed trains on the way at Utrecht, as Pat felt I needed a second look!
So what are my impressions of The Netherlands? Very nice and
accommodating! Shame about the queuing system!
This page hosted by