Unexpected Quirks and Experiences Involving Mail in the Netherlands If you’ve never lived in a different country, or had to deal with international shipping, learning the ins-and-outs of a new system can present a unique set of problems (or “learning experiences” if you are in a more positive frame of mind today). All addresses are…
Read more“Helpful, Not Charitable”
When one moves abroad, it is inevitable that there will always be a good dose of culture shock. One of the first things I learned was that the American outgoing method of dealing with strangers is not the status quo in the Netherlands. Being from the southern half of the United States, etiquette is something…
Read moreKeep Off the Grass!
One thing that you quickly learn when living in the Netherlands is the danger of leaving the shimmering concrete or warm brick sidewalks to tread across the refreshingly green grass that springs more delightfully beneath your feet than a sidewalk ever could. However, don’t do it. Just. Don’t. (And no, this is not referring to…
Read moreEnglish Will Not Save You
A lovely stroll through a picturesque Dutch city centre or a quiet village is one of the most pleasurable ways of getting acquainted with your new home, or a pleasant reminder of why you made the rather insane, brash, and drastic decision to become an expat. For me, it is one of the most stress…
Read moreGetting a Pony
When I was a little girl, and still busy writing my Christmas wishlists for Santa, my normal annual request was for a pony. Not a shock, I am sure, and would venture to guess a wish made by many children. Unfortunately, Santa never brought me my pony. For those of you he did, well, I…
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