Another Dutch spring and another trip tot he keukenhof with Sally and our moms! The tulips were not completely out yet, but there was such a mild winter that even the ones that came out were already blooming beautifully.

We got to see the most typical Dutch cheese shops, clogs, cows, waffles, and windmills... We even took pics with the waffle man! 

We also went on a boat tour around the flower fields! It started raining and hailing ! So typical Dutch!!

The most cute thing was the flowers though... This place will never get old! And the funny part is none of my Dutch friends have ever been there :/

Oh and yes I did have to buy a matching poof hat...  

The Ratcliffs arrive!!

I was super lucky to have my best friend of over 10 years, Sally, and her mom visited with my mom! We started off in Amsterdam.

Well, technically shopping in Haarlem is always necessary first. It's the first place I take my visitors... It was a downy day so not vey good for walking but a nice introduction to Dutch weather. Then, bagels and beans as usual! Finally  we spent an afternoon at the jopen kerk and then I made some more yummy homemade lasagna. 

The second day we went to the Van Gogh museum (my first time) then the Amsterdam sign, the palace, souvenirs... There was a Chinese prime minister in town so we didn't get to explore too much.,. A lady on the tram even told us we had to leave the city ASAP! 

But one cool thing we discovered was browerij t'ij... A brewery inside a windmill! So cute and completely an Amsterdam hotspot.

Twan and Willem

I went with my friends to see the opposites, a Dutch rap duo! It's much cooler than it sounds hahahaha actually this is some of my favorite music lately! Google, "je kan het Niet" :)

It was in this cool theatre which turned into a club afterwards. :)

Colon Family visits from Texas!!

I was so happy to be able to host my Aunt Diana, Uncle Frank, and goddaughter Carolina in Netherlands ... They came to visit me and also experience Europe and Munich. 

It was so nice to have them in my house, where I could feel the love and warmth of my family again .. We would wake up everyday together and have breakfast, I even made zuurkool stampot and homemade lasagna. 

The first day we went to see Anne frank house, we also saw Heineken experience, canal cruise of Amsterdam and rijks museum.

It was such beautiful weather that we were able to take a day in Zandvoort which was warm and beautiful (warm for Dutch standards) and we also had a few days to shop around in Haarlem. 

Finally, we went to vogelenzang and my favorite pancake house in holland! t'panneland!!

Freiburg visit!

So, a few months ago I was able to take a business trip to see a university lab in Freiburg. It was so great, as i love love Germany. The city was so cute and quaint....

As usual, I can't go to Germany without seeing a castle and this castle had an extraordinary 3D exhibit,.. I even got to act a bit. 

And again, can't fail to share the food I love in Germany. This bratwurst "shack was so authentic!"

And this "swan palace" house looked like something out of a story book! And Schweineschnitzel!!