Going Out Your Door: I know what my last name is...but I don't speak Dutch!

And that was the theme of my trip to the Netherlands, folks. I can't tell you how many times someone looked at my last name and then spoke to me in Dutch. Five minutes and one confused face later, they would realize that I actually understood very little Dutch and spoke even less. By the end of the trip I learned to start the conversation with a very American "Hi!"

The language barrier aside, I had a phenomenal time visiting the "Old Country." I've grown up with subtle hints of Dutch culture and varied stories of life "way back when," but none of it compares to actually experiencing it for yourself!! The Dutch people are among some of the friendliest I have encountered in my travels; certainly more welcoming than the English(: And for once in my life, my height was average!! One lady commented that "Everything in the Netherlands is small...except for the people." So true.

Amsterdam was the primary focus of my trip. Had I more time, I would have enjoyed visiting far more of the Dutch countryside, but you take what you can get when you are a student!! Amsterdam is a beautiful city of canals, tall skinny houses, and bikes. Seriously, bikes.

This was just one of many "Bike parking lots" as I would call them. As in many European countries, its the easiest and cheapest way to get around- even in the snow. Though I did see quite a few people wipe out. The hazards of the job, I guess. Looking back, I'm very thankful for the invention of the bicycle bell; I would have gotten run over otherwise....

This was just one of many canals in the city. There were boats tied up everywhere- I can imagine how busy the water can be when its warmer out!! And there is something simply wonderful about living near water, no matter how small it might be.

I did a walking tour of the city on the first day (which is probably my favorite part of any trip. Museums and monuments are fun to see, but nothing tells you about the city like simply walking around it). According to the locals, I had picked the worst weather week in the entire year to come. The sudden snowstorm and subsequent -10 degree windchill was a bit daunting to even the most fearless walker. But it was an adventure all the same! My fingers were so cold I didn't take as many pictures of the city, but here are just a few:

The National Monument, built in 1956 as a WWII memorial but is now considered a monument for peace. It depicts a crucified Christ, men in chains, and howling dogs. An interesting sight to walk past every day.

The Royal Palace. The Queen usually lives in the nearby city of the Hague, but she can stay here if she wants. Though I wouldn't want to as of this moment. Seriously, I can never get away from scaffolding.