Some things in the Netherlands are exactly the same as in the US

I was sitting in my living room on Sunday afternoon, when the doorbell rang. I thought it could be my landlord was going to stop by to meet me (all of the arrangements have been through a realtor). I answered the door there were two older women speaking in Dutch holding a bible. I politely replied "I do not speak Dutch". One of the women responded that they were speaking to my neighbors about the teaching of Jesus Christ. I thought to myself, " I think they are Jehovah's Witnesses". I politely said " no thank you" and closed the door. Who knew there were Jehovah's Witnesses outside of the US? Then I asked my co-worker from Argentina and they have them as well...who knew?

I am no Tiger Woods

Pitch and Putt
Originally uploaded by rhoyalblu

Wednesday my office had an after work social event. We went to play "Pitch and Putt". It is like golf, only a smaller course. I think there are other differences in the rules, but those who know me know about me and rules ;) 

I don't really like golf so I was planning to be miserable. However the smaller course made golf bearable. I actually had fun.

Off the Grid

I have not had internet access at home since Wednesday night( I am using a co-worker's wifi now). How dare my neighbors turn off their router!!! Luckily My internet should be hooked up in about a week.

 
You do not realize how dependent you are on the Internet until you do not have it.  I have no email, phone calls (I have a Internet phone), news and gossip updates, random searches...no connection to the outside world...(TV is crap here, but I do watch CNN and BBC) 

I never thought about how much time I spend on the computer until I did not have consistent Internet access. On average I sync my Quicken at least once daily (sometime multiple times...I know I have a problem), check all 4 of my email account daily (multiple times), and do at least an hour of random searching (juicing, beginner sewing, gardening, WII fit...other random thoughts). That does not include facebook, myspace, and blog time......Maybe this time off the net will be good for me..

My new favorite Tasty Treat

cup of soup
Originally uploaded by rhoyalblu

So Cup a Soup is huge here in the Netherlands. At first I turned my nose up, but it is quite a tasty treat! I have tried Curry, Mushroom, Mushroom and Ham, Spicy Tomato, Chinese Tomato, and Mustard (traditional Dutch Soup). I have not had one that I didn't like.

I am huge here, but so is my wallet!!!

If you ever find you self down in the dumps in Europe. Clothes shopping is not the activity to lift you up...First the higher size numbers are scary...There are some labels that have "UK" sizes in addition to the European sizes. UK sizes are not the same as US sizes! I could have left the store in tears!

Here are some tables I found online today and I think these still don't tie to current US sizes (Ladies we all know todays 12 is not the same as 10 years ago)..and lets just say here, I am no 12!

Women's Clothing
US UK Euro
6 8 34
8 10 36
10 12 38
12 14 40
14 16 42
16 18 44
18 20 46
20 22 48

Women's Shoes
US UK Euro Japan
4 2 1/2 35 21.5
5 3 1/2 37 22.5
6 4 1/2 38 23.5
7 5 1/2 39 24.5
8 6 1/2 40 25.5
9 7 1/2 42 26.5

I evenually decided the rest of my clothes will be here soon, and I will just wait! My self esteem could not take sizes > 40... I guess this is another reason I will save money here.

There were some of my friends that would concerned I would be broke here but so far I spend far less.
Here is why:
1. No gas - Transportation by Brown Bomber and Nike is free. Even with the 2 cab rides I have taken, by far cheaper....
2. Everything closes at 6PM (except on Thursday night) - No after work shopping
3. The frig. is the size of a dorm frig. - No over shopping and throwing away food.
4. Can only buy what I can fit on my bike or I carry home - impulse buying is at an all time low, when I realize if I buy it I have to carry it home, I realize I probably don't need it
5. Cooking at home - restaurants just have not had the same appeal here as at home. I have had some Chinese take out and snack shop food but I was eating out 3 or 4 night a week at home.

So I guess these are just a few examples of improved habits I will gain during this experience....

Home Sick

Home Sick
Originally uploaded by rhoyalblu

Yesterday I was feeling a little home sick. So I decided on on a tasty American treat. Funny thing is the whole box only had 16 cookies (4 packages of 4). Which again makes me wonder why people here aren't all small?

0.70 Euros to Pee!

0.70 Euros to Pee!
Originally uploaded by rhoyalblu

So I was in the train station in Frankfort...why do you have to pay to potty? Let's say my expectations of a pay toilet were not met!