The youngest Sinterklaas ever

10 days in the Netherlands

After 10 days in the Netherlands two things have been reconfirmed. Firstly, the only thing that really sucks about living abroad is to be so far away from most of your better friends. Seeing so many of them in such a short time span, with the recurring feeling that almost each reunion is too short, makes painfully clear that (semi-)annual get-togethers often don’t really suffice. Secondly, I’m growing fonder and fonder of Amsterdam.

 10 days on the move, with 5 nights in situ at the training venue, with the remaining nights spent in as many different places, made me feel a bit like a nomad. In chronological order there was the initial get-together with Koen and Stefan and Inge on Thursday night, followed by a night of sturdy drinking on Friday with David. The image of a crowded, sweaty bar full of people drinking and dancing and chatting, with two guys at the bar debating in depth the possible scenarios China faces in an economic-political spectrum, drawing on historical stats to support their own views and scepticisms, has become a cherished memory already. Saturday morning there was the hangover whereas Saturday afternoon featured tea with Noortje and more tea with Brenda. Now we zoom out of Utrecht and via train and car we move to Oosterhout where a bountiful dinner was enjoyed with the family and add-ons. One night in my own bed and on Sunday back to Utrecht to meet Alex for dinner with 45 minutes at Utrecht central station cherished with the gf who was on her way back to Dublin. The Greek restaurant Alex had singled out was a new kid on the block and definitely a winner when it comes to value. Smelling of garlic and red wine I subsequently took a train to Bergen for a 1-week work-related course. Apart from all the new skills and insights I have gathered, the week was a winner in terms of catching up with old pals as well as Gijs (refer to my first blog posts in Dublin) happened to be on the same course which guaranteed plenty of diversion from the course materials. After 5 days in situ I packed by bags again only to travel to Amsterdam where a surprise dinner awaited me, attended and organised by Julia, Manon, Alex, Danielle, Quin, Roelant and Bob. A lovely evening again ended in one drink too many which resulted in a morning spent in bed with a dry mouth and a throbbing head. No more time for lingering however as I was to call by Pieter’s new apartment for a quick cup of coffee before I headed to Johan’s place to drop my bags on the way to the newly opened food halls. The location was an old tram terminal, completely done up and transformed into a large food market with freshly made quiches, smoothies, and a mouth-watering selection of food. Needless to say Johan and I had an enjoyable afternoon which allowed for plenty of catch-up since our Portugal trip early summer. Staying away from the variety of cakes, noodles and burgers watching me from the stands I managed to save my appetite for the evening as Inge, Koen and Stefan had prepared a great dinner which was also attended by Paal and Jamie, with plenty of tales to tell after their 15 months of globe-trotting. A few more drinks in town thereafter and I must by then have exceeded the weekly average in Ireland which is quite a dubious achievement. 10 days as a nomad were finished in style as Koen D picked me up at Koen M’s house and after some random driving around we had lunch at a posh place somewhere halfway Breukelen and Maarsen of all places. I consider myself lucky and Koen very courteous as he didn’t mind driving me all the way to Schiphol where I now use my laptop for the first time in 10 days by writing down this week’s impressions. Luckily I didn’t carry it around criss-cross the Netherlands only to switch it on for the first time back in Dublin. Mixed feelings but definitely glad to go back home as well, to one of my favourite cities in the world, with its snug lanes, green parks, warm pubs and nature galore. And all that just a bike-ride or a stroll away from home.

The Wicklow Way with Dana

In a sequence that is slowly turning into a tradition, Dana and I set off on what promised to be a spectacular hike this Saturday morning. Our first such joint walk was November two years ago in the Peak district near Sheffield, whereas last November we walked in a wide loop around Winsor Castle and Eton. Naively we thought to keep on pushing our luck by scheduling a third consecutive daylong stroll this time of the year, in Ireland of all places. Well, let’s say our next outdoor activity will be in summer.

  

Gale-force winds nearly pushed me off the wooden beams that kept us a foot above the swampy bog below. The landscape was truly unforgiving as it did not provide any shelter from the howling wind and sharp rain that made your face feel sunburnt after half an hour. Later the bristly rain turned heavy, first drenching my shorts and not long thereafter seeping into my shoes which made them soggy, heavy, and very cold. Whereas we had been our usual chatty selves for the first two hours of the walk, during which we enjoyed acceptable weather and stunning vistas, Dana noticed out loud at some point that we had kept silent for a good while, ploughing through the rain, cold and wet and miserable. It was as if your mind was set on the next step, and the next one, and the next one, and this sole focus and determination didn’t leave any room for conversation.

Well. That was quite tough. But the final destination, a cosy cottage at the end of a dead-end street a few kilometres off the Wicklow way, was all the more appreciated for its open fire, warm showers, warm tea, warm dinner and welcoming hosts. Speaking for myself I have to say that I enjoyed the evening tremendously. Chatting in the common room with Gijs from the Netherlands, thereafter over dinner and wine with Simon from Australia, and lastly some quality time with Dana and the table topics cards I got from Koen a while ago, in front of the smouldering ashes of what was left of the fire. The deprivations of the day made a splendid combination with the warm soft beds and made me sleep even better that normal. I couldn’t believe my eyes the next morning with blue skies and radiant sunlight pouring through the window. Well, at least we got to enjoy some of the views from the car on the way back to Dublin! All in all a tremendous weekend despite the challenging weather conditions... Dana thanks so much for coming over, and, quoting my Erasmus-era friend Carlos, soon more and better!!