Straatfestival (Street Festival)

There was a musical festival in the City Center last weekend. There was several bands, and DJs...one on each corner. We spent most of the evening listening to a great cover bank that played R&B from the 70s to contemporary (nice change of pace from all of the techno I have heard the last few weeks). However there was something for everyone at the festival: rock, disco, techno, pop, and R&B.

I realized that language issue will be a big hindrance for me socially. When you speak a second language at work or school, when you are out socially you want to relax and speak your native language.
Although most people I have met through co-workers speak English, I can imagine it is work having to keep up conversation in English. It doesn't bother me when people speak Dutch around me. I am just not able to participate, so tend tune out a little (which I am sure doesn't help me make new friends). I wonder if I will have to make friends with other expats in order to have a completely comfortable social environment.
This really makes me feel like dating will be impossible. Dating here is a whole different subject I will have to dedicate a separate post to.....

Zwolle City Center

Zwolle like many towns in the Netherlands has a city center. The city center is like to a downtown area in the US but is actually physically separated from the rest of the city by water (see map).
The market is held in the city center. There a variety of vendors in the market: produce vendors, butchers, bakeries and retailers. It is held every Friday and Saturday.
I usually to go to the market on Saturday to buy my produce for the week and wander around and people watch.

The city center also has tons of retail shops (clothing, electronics, home goods, you name it they got it in the city center). Its like a large outdoor mall.

Momma Mia

So I went to see Momma Mia last night. I forgot I hate musicals, but I like ABBA so it wasn't all bad. The savior of the movie was the setting, it was gorgeous. A beautiful Greek Island surrounding in crystal clear blue water... and I remembered I live
in Europe now. It would not be far fetched for me to vacation in Greece. I have been trying to narrow down where I plan to visit during my time here.
It looks like the Greek Islands are now moving to the top of the list...

City Moves in Zwolle

The was an all day dance party in Zwolle August 3rd(www.citymoves.nl). I am amazed when I go to events here how diverse they are. There was all ages, single people, couples, families, preppies, hippies, wannabe thugs...all just jammin to techno.

Still off the Grid...2 months and counting

So I still do not have internet access at my home. This is been the most frustrating part about my move here. My first internet request was canceled and I wasn't notified. Then we (my company is making the arrangements- very complicated) made a new request with a different company (who turns out is owned by the first company). After waiting over a month, and being told every time we contacted the company it would be connected next week... Well next week never come, now the order has been canceled again. I was told that there is a land line phone connection in my home (the landlord says there is not) and I can't request internet access only if I have a land line... (I will attach a phone today to see if there is a connection). Even if there is a land line it isn't in my name.

I have no idea when I will have internet....Which is killing me not just because I can't regularly update my blog or surf the net. I set up an VoIP (internet based) phone number with a US number. Then all of my friends and family could call me at no extra charge, and I could call them at the low rate of the VoIP provider (magic jack- very cheap). No internet means no calls... I get voicemail messages because they are sent in email and I can now check email on my NEW I-PHONE!!! I can use use skype on the iPhone (so family and friends, download skype call me)...However, I am a little irritated my family doesn't just buy a international phone card (a couple of cents a minute) and call my mobile...

I just want my internet connection (till then hope my neighbors never put up a fire wall)

Ik spreek geen Nederlands

(Translation: I don't speak Dutch). How long will I get away with saying that? (Mind you I am not saying that, I say it in English). I currently trying to figure out my plans for learning the language here in the Netherlands. I am consistency asked " do you plan to learn Dutch?". I have been really considering that question in the past few days. I begin language lessons with a tutor on Wednesday. I need to understand what are my expectations. I don't really think I can become fluent in 2 years ( I could be wrong).
I have realized that me not speaking Dutch is a hindrance in making connections outside of work (a really big goal for me right now). I love my co-workers. They have been very welcoming, but I really want to make friends outside of work.
A big issue is that most people here speak in English, so it is really easy to get away with not learning the language. However I think at some point I need to move past being a visitor and tourist to resident (which by the way, I am officially a Dutch resident now, I have a card and everything).
I think I will focus on vocabulary and get some basic conversation skills (small talk). In addion, I think I will soon ask that my co-workers stop using English with me....

If they are reading this.....please let me get a couple of weeks of lessons under my belt, and be patient. I am practicing my "g" and "h" sounds and don't get me started on "v" versus "w"

Paleis het Loo (more to come)

This weekend's trip was to Paleis het Loo (www.paleishetloo.nl). First let me say, it rained all day and I fell in a hole (story to follow), but other than that it was an enjoyable day.

www.flickr.com rhoyalblu's Het Loo photoset