Day 48: From The Beginning ....continuing trip to Holland

So, here I am in Holland, my home country, where I was born and raised till I moved to the USA when I was 26 years old.

For some reason I dislike Holland with a passion.

I can't really put my finger on it, meaning why I dislike it but I can certainly try to explain it.

So growing up in Holland, I remember it always being cold with grey skies.

Yes of course Holland has a summer but it never lasts long and there is no guaranty that the sun will shine daily.

So if its a sunny day you better take advantage of it and rush to the beach or pool because the next day might be no more sun.

Also the Dutchies like to complain a lot.

Or its too hot or its too cold.

Dutchies like to stare at each other and compare.

Dutchies like to keep their curtains open for all to see.

Dutchies like to cram stuff in their homes and saying that makes it cozy.

Dutchies like to talk smack about Americans & America but at the same time they copy all things Americans do.

I know, I know I am a Dutchie myself and I shouldn't talk bad about "my peeps" but I actually think I can judge because I've lived there.

I recommend you read the book "The Undutchables" and judge for yourself.

Back to my story.

I am staying with my mama in Holland because my parents are divorced after a 40 year marriage.

There is a lot of resentment between the two of them sadly.

After a few days, I drive my mama's Peugeot 106 to my papa's house like 40 min away.

Of course I got lost because I have no navigation on me (my iPhone 6+ doesn't work without wifi).

And I have no TomTom (The Dutch navigation).

There is a thick fog outside (it's December).

I shed some tears cause I feel helpless without navigation.

Finally I reach my fathers farm house.

.....To Be Continued....

Day 47: From The Beginning....

Gosh! Time flies, when you are having fun!
I can't believe I haven't blogged for over 1 month now.
They say it takes 66 days to form a habit, even though some say it takes 21 days, don't believe them!
As you can see I haven't reached the 66 days just yet and maybe that's why I slacked.
It is super hard to stick to a routine when you are traveling.
The minute you leave the USA, wifi is a big issue.
Yes at the airport is wifi and yes you can buy wifi onboard the plane or sometimes its free.
But the minute you set foot outside the airport you are pretty much "phone less" and we all know how that feels (kind of like you lost a part of yourself) (I know, I know a bit over exaggerated).
Once I arrived in Holland I was greeted by my mama, sis & her boyfriend.
Jan, my sis her boyfriend took some pix of our group hug.
It was fun to see the typical Dutch things like wooden shoes and tulips and some good looking tall Dutchies while making our way to the car.
I kind of wish I had more time taking some pix at Schiphol Airport.
We drove off to my mama's house which is like 2 hrs away from Schiphol, on the way we stopped at a fancy restaurant called "The Witte Bergen".
Had a nice dinner and face timed with the hubby back home in America.
Don't forget I had been traveling at that point for like 24 hrs.
First from San Diego to Philly, to Dublin (Ireland), to Amsterdam (The Netherlands).
But the best way to avoid jet lag is to acclimate to the clock of the country you arrive in.
After dinner we drove to my mama's home.
My sister had made a welcome gift for me which was a big bag full of Dutch goodies.
I was super grateful but did not want to eat any of it unfortunately.
If you know me a tiny bit, you know that I am kind of obsessed with fitness & nutrition, so eating candy kind of defeats that.
Don't get me wrong I love chocolate and I have been guilty of eating a box of chocolates in one sitting like the rest of us.
.....To Be Continued......