Went hiking to a forest near the water reserves that give water to Amsterdam. The area is called, the water dunes, or something like that! The water is so clear, you can basically already drink it!

There are so many deer and foxes, and birds! Also, a very cute pancake restaurant in the middle of the park.

We ate there first and I got this amazing pancake, stuffed with bacon and topped with mushrooms, cheese, and onion. I thought it sounded delicious, but it tasted BETTER.

 

After we ate, we hiked for about an hour. It was absolutely gorgeous, like a scene from a movie. and we were thisclose to the deer!!! As long as you keep walking, they stay put!

 

 

After the hike, we HAD to go back to the coffee shop and have Kabouter Koffie (translation to gnome coffee, or dwarf coffee... some woodland creature). It was similar to an irish coffee and DELICIOUS.

 

 

 

I will be returning.

Job Sites in the Middle of Nature

Its so nice to go to a job site and actually see green all around, or lakes, or canals. I saw sheep last week, and this week I saw this cute little seal. We were in a plant that was partially owned by us and partially owned by a fishing company. The seal knew when fishing boats were near and came by to snag some grub.

It was totally manifest destiny meets lion king meets any movie where people fight over land. I was actually standing in a room overlooking the property and was told "all this will be ours someday"... aka we will take it by force from the fishermen.

Hahahahahahahaa!

 

"American" Food

Okay okay, so I'm from Texas... I know what Houston is known as... and whether or not we care to admit it... we like our fried food.

If you come to think of it, what really classifies as American food? We have fast food, but that is now all over the world and not distinctly American. I mean here in Holland, for instance, McDonald's offers a McCroquette. (the bitterballen pic I showed in the past in a bun...).

We also have places like Chili's and Applebee's... they offer a variety as vast as italian to cajun!!

So the other day I was craving some good old fashioned Chinese Takeout. It tastes just as "chinese" as it does in Houston... aka... not at all. 

 This egg roll however was the size of a burrito from chipotle! Amazing!

And to make things more amazing... My mom sent the best thing Texas has to offer 

Cooking and still eating out :)

My first home cooked meal in holland:

 

Last night I went to my first business dinner, with Greeks. I believe it was a success since I got invites to Athens and milos! With legitimate business reasons and a real chance ill go :)

Apparently Greeks and Spanish people eat dinner at 11pm, I, an American, eat right after work, and the Dutch eat around 7... We settled on 830, which was 930 pm Greek time so they were alright. Finally a dinner fully in english at the best Chinese restaurant in holland, on the ijmuiden waterfront. 

It's always easy to feel refreshed and energetic when the sunshine a until 11pm

The food was fantastic, tasted just like sweet and sour chicken in Texas. Mine was the only fired option, and I explained that I'm still American and I like that... They laughed and said I had to eat it all because they don't have doggie bags. I thought this was a joke but they really don't! They just leave the food there! 

Today, had lunch on the beach again,. 62 degrees (19 C) and people were in bikinis, wearing sunscreen, and tanning. 

Such is life in Holland. 

Church now a brewery?

I went out with some work friends and sadly did not get any real pictures but we went to this awesome brewery that used to be a church... With original stained glass windows.

We also went to another bar where they have screens telling you what's on tsp.. Pretty techno savvy... Lovely night going out in Haarlem :) btw if you're interested the bars either close at 2 or 4 am so USA is not that strict lol comparatively. 

Grocery shopping

Went grocery shopping today.... 

Can't really count on your homegrown brands to support you when you need regular things, like ketchup and mustard! Thanks a lot Heinz! 

Oh and barbecue sauce isn't the same as Texas BBQ....

Also saw this in the egg aisle!.....?....?

 

Baby eggs? Also, eggs are not refrigerated...

But you CAN always count on Dora the explorer. 

Finally,I did manage to find a beer I liked! 

And it beautiful weather to enjoy a cold one and open the windows :)

Walking around

Today I went to the market and saw this, so funny I heard a loud sound as if it was a train crossing. Those familiar bars came down but no train in sight! Then I realized they were literally raising the street to let a boat pass by the canal! 

I also found these gorgeous strawberries. 

Apartment

I finally got my apartment! 

Here are some pics:

Living room:

Kitchen:

And my room, complete with groovy wallpaper:

It's In a nice apartment building about 15 min from city centre and I got a bike!!

Zandvoort

So I live about 15 minutes from a gorgeous beach! This has been the coldest summer in 40 years in holland so people really take advantage of any warmth. It was warm last Tuesday so my mom and I ditched our sweaters and went to dinner off the coast!

 Haven't done the hook em in a while! Lol

A lot of people were actually out! 

And a shot of my car:

The drive to Zandvoort is quite pretty, looks like memorial drive!