Not my entire family but close... we were missing my amazing brother, Nathan, on this trip. So sad he has to be an adult and work :(
My family arrived in Amsterdam Monday around 11 - their flight was on-time :) and it was great to reunite. I was nervous waiting for them. It was so surreal to see them. I couldn't believe it for a couple of days. I wanted things to go so well because I was supposed to be the one who "knew what I was doing."
We rented a car. No idea what I am doing when it comes to driving in the Netherlands so I couldn't impress them there. All I know is that they have to yield to bikers and go around a lot of round-a-bouts. So we got a GPS. Named her Tina. Let her dominate our car conversations and made it safely to Zwolle. It was beautiful to see Holland from a car! I am not used to that. My Dad really liked the scenic views and although he was tired he couldn't help but be SO excited to be there.
Mom and Lindsey slept most of the ride and we all soon realized there would be no where to "stop and eat" on the way to Zwolle so Dad just made some egg/ham/cheese sandwiches when we got to "my" house in Zwolle. Lekker!
Then we met my host-dad in Kampen, a town about 20 min. away by car. There is an old Reformed church and theological university that my Dad was curious in. Its also a cute town to see with a beautiful park. So we decided to meet him at the bridge. Little did I know there are two bridges in Kampen - one HUGE bridge and one nice sized -walkable one. We were supposed to meet at the "walkable" one but I led us to the HUGE one and thought... wow, are we really supposed to walk over that bridge and meet him?! Ok... but the other question is... where do we park the car. I have no idea. We found a place - and started to head towards the bridge. I called my host-dad because I didn't see him. He said - wrong bridge, I'll come pick you all up. Great. I failed my family :( Then we found out we parked in a place that we would have been towed at. Whoops! Good thing we got the car and headed into Kampen following a guy who drives through it every day :) I left that tour with my host-dad. Thankfully. It was nice to see the town and it started to rain so we headed to my house for dinner with my host-family. It was too much food but so delicious. I think my family liked it ... I don't REALLY know their true feelings ;) Then my host-sister and I performed a piano concert for them. Ending the concert with my parents "love song" which they didn't recognize until half-way through. My dad, "What song is this...sounds familiar..." Hm...your <3 song!
Then we met my host-dad in Kampen, a town about 20 min. away by car. There is an old Reformed church and theological university that my Dad was curious in. Its also a cute town to see with a beautiful park. So we decided to meet him at the bridge. Little did I know there are two bridges in Kampen - one HUGE bridge and one nice sized -walkable one. We were supposed to meet at the "walkable" one but I led us to the HUGE one and thought... wow, are we really supposed to walk over that bridge and meet him?! Ok... but the other question is... where do we park the car. I have no idea. We found a place - and started to head towards the bridge. I called my host-dad because I didn't see him. He said - wrong bridge, I'll come pick you all up. Great. I failed my family :( Then we found out we parked in a place that we would have been towed at. Whoops! Good thing we got the car and headed into Kampen following a guy who drives through it every day :) I left that tour with my host-dad. Thankfully. It was nice to see the town and it started to rain so we headed to my house for dinner with my host-family. It was too much food but so delicious. I think my family liked it ... I don't REALLY know their true feelings ;) Then my host-sister and I performed a piano concert for them. Ending the concert with my parents "love song" which they didn't recognize until half-way through. My dad, "What song is this...sounds familiar..." Hm...your <3 song!
That night we visited and my family went early to the bed and breakfast.
We had a big day awaiting us on Tuesday. The plan was to bike in Zwolle - hilarious.
We had a big day awaiting us on Tuesday. The plan was to bike in Zwolle - hilarious.
Visit Isala (the hospital where I work) and the GH (my school here) and then drive to Geithoorn. Its a little village of all canals - my dad drove a boat through them and we ate some good Dutch food in the afternoon (frikandel) heading back to Zwolle to eat again with my host family at the Pancake ship. So fun! Then headed out for the night to a birthday party of one of the SPICE girls and to the Jofer- with my sister - woop woop!
Fun day.
The next day I had to pack up my bag for a little excursion to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Paris!
Read in the next blog about that little adventure!
No comments:
Post a Comment