fiets fiets fiets

Marlies has some maps with bike ride routes around here, and since I have time in these few weeks I am on a project to go on quite a few. Yesterday I decided to ride to Marken - about 52 km or so - supposed to be 4 hours. Well I guess I'm not the best bike rider ever because I got confused early on and started to get frustrated. But then I reminded myself that it isn't just the destination I wanted, but the journey (haven't heard that one before have you?) so I decided to let go of Marken and just find places. So instead I found other places that I had seen on the map and it was beautiful. I ended up being gone for about 4ish hours anyway, so it was kind of the same. I'll try Marken another day. On the way back it was much much shorter because I knew where I was going - and then I saw roads that would have saved me alot of time. I'm ridiculous. But it was a great trip. I love that I dont need to pay attention to time when I'm on vacation. If i'm gone 1 hour or 7, it doesn't matter. It's so great. No rush for...anything.

I went on a run the other day on a route I'd never tried out before (I get bored of routes so I need to change it up a bit or my motivation goes way down) - crossed over the bridge and went into Diemen. Not super far away but I ran for a hour next to the water on this bike/walking path lined with tall shady trees. Water on one side, farm land on the other. Absolutely beautiful. When my mother (ahem) comes to visit me I will take her to this route. After an hour I stopped and walked around in the farm part of the area, made friends with more sheep (i have habits of talking to farm animals). It was peaceful and it was just me and the sheep. Then (oh baby) I sat on the dock and just watched the water with the sheep behind me. Oh man, I'm going there many times. 

Then I walked back because I was tired. Ha great ending to that story huh? Tomorrow I go on another ride (maybe I'll find Marken this time). But for now, here's some pictures. I was a total tourist. But no one was around so it's ok. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it does it still make a noise? That's what I thought. Only you are now going to see me being a tourist so I guess none of that makes applies directly. I probably should stop talking now.

Ahem, pictures from the bike ride.

First stop

Schellingwoude has a ship yard

Next Stop! Population: 430

Talking to cows

Talking to cows

Don't remember where this was.

Next Stop! Population: 245

                                              

Quaint villiage. Very well kept. 

Ok ok ok, so I thought this church was cool. I like old churches. Classic.

A house I thought looked really nice.

Bridge as I was just leaving Ransdorp

Also I walked to the water here by where I live. 

Niewe Kerk in Amsterdam. 

I was peacefully eating my Stroop Waffel McFlurry (best thing ever), when all the sudden a  ton of pigeons flew from Dam Square to where me and these people were! It was kind of scary. They were intense and came in a cloud, and seemed like they didnt care if they hit your head or not, so I moved out of their way.

Dam Square monument.

Until next time!

Photos!

I don't teach them English...but they are starting to learn some swagger Aiiiight 

She tried to do my hairstyle. Apparently it does not make her happy!

Michiel and friend serenading the public on our walk home

Took Vera to McDonald's again, always have a good time with her. A good 4 hours there.

We mussn't forget to feed those ducks!

Femke and me. Oh Hello

Repaving (re-bricking?) our street:

My monkey girl climbing

 This is a neighbor girl. I watch her and her brother every so often. Very sweet cute kids, always enjoy watching them.

I am going to miss this view when we move to Utrecht. The water is just a 5 minute walk from our house here. so relaxing and beautiful. 

Took the kids to this outdoor play ground. But it's like a playground with so much more. Animals, and then this place where they have hammers and nails and can kind of create their own huts. They kids loved it. They inspected each option quite carefully before choosing the perfect one, one that had rooms for them and high enough so I could stand up haha

GertJan and Michiel. I dont have many pictures of the parents with the children and that is a shame. Because for as busy as these parents are, they really do enjoy their children and have a good involved relationship with them. I respect how they manage it.

Marlies and Femke

Femke wrote "I Love you" (you can see it better when you click on the photo) on the ground. I was so proud of her, writing English. She tried to shrug it off, "Of course! I have always known that." But as you could tell in this photo...she was also proud. hehe.

Making vacation plans now. Places and people to see, things to do...we'll see. Nice to have some free time. Maybe we'll see some sun. 

Other than that, well seems to be nothing to report really. Sorry for lack of response of emails, dont take it personally. Replies are on my to-do list. :)

Until next time!