Culture & Curiosities

   We have been marveling at small things more readily than usual because everything is fresh for us. And we are eager to experience parts of the culture that are new for us, but engrained in the daily routines of many people around us.
      This post is dedicated to the things that we notice, do, or accumulate that fit into the aforementioned category. I plan to maintain a fresh outlook so that this post can grow.

 They're ours! After 2 weeks of walking around in the 'heaven on earth' for bike-lovers we have finally purchased our own set of wheels. My blue beauty is featured in this photo. 

This one is Luke's bike. We couldn't have asked for better bikes, they are used but they came complete with racks, tire guards (for the puddle splashes), lights, and bungie cords. 

I had been wondering if Pilates was popular in Holland and this flyer answered my silent wonderings. And, this flyer has the perfect motivational image. I mean, if a giraffe can manage it, then it must be easy and great for humans too. 

And if you aren't build long like a giraffe, Pilates is also a good choice for those of rodent proportions. 

This was our first surprise package, it's a 'welcome to the neighborhood' package from the city of Rotterdam. I have to find a good way to display the box as a decoration because it really is sharp looking. 

What's inside that box/package? Coupons! Europe is known for rarely having sales and there are never coupons in the newspapers here, but we hit the jackpot in this box! Of course, they do appear to be places we will probably never go . . . except perhaps to Dolce & Gabbana to pick up our free boxershort.

 (If you want to see that particular coupon it is blue and you can see the photo up close by clicking on the picture. Gratis = free)

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We have begun to make our apartment more of a home by adding a few personal touches, but we are seeking to fit in with the simple (even to the point of being bare) decorating style which it works great for us, since we don't have much and knickknacks aren't a part of our budget. 

That being said, I indulged while going through a 'flea market' of sorts here. 4 euro for the picture and 3 for the vase, the flowers were a gift from our school for finally receiving our residence permits and to my joy they fit together pretty well. 

It is common to leave curtains wide open pretty much all of the time in The Netherlands. One reason is that natural light is quite valued, why pay to light your house when the sun does it for free? The other reason is connected with culture, and having your curtains open means you have nothing to hide. 

Yet, if you don't want people to see exactly what you are doing all of the time, you can decorate your windows at the same time as obscuring them for a bit of privacy. This trend is common in Rotterdam and so we jumped on the band wagon and added some removable decor to our kitchen windows. 

Apartments, and homes here generally don't usually come with washing machines. So we were creative (and slightly unclean) for 2 months before received our paychecks and purchased this beauty. We had to put some extra towels under her so that she doesn't rock and buffet like a ship on stormy seas while spinning our clothes, but since then she's worked hard to keep our clothing clean. 

Our first package arrived! Thanks Mom and Dad Ridout! We didn't realize how fun it would be to see the simplest of American things. . . including plastic grocery bags. 

Nothing like chipotle chili powder to put a smile on your face. Yes, we appreciate the little things in life, especially when you can't find them in your grocery stores. 

What does Autumn look like in The Netherlands? Near our house it looks just like this. 

I've always wanted to attend church in one of these old buildings and that dream has come true. This church building was built in 1933, survived the bombing of Rotterdam and while the original congregation is rapidly dwindling, small church gatherings like the one we belong to are putting the building to good use. 

This is for all of my fellow Frisians. If we were born a mere 1,000 years or so sooner we could have been walking around with one of these on our head. The Rijksmuseum of Leiden houses these extremely unique fragments-- most cloth from that time period and location has completely disintegrated but if my memory serves me right, the peat bogs helped these survive. 

A model/replica photograph can be seen in the upper right hand corner. 

I just wish the museum had sold replicas because I want to see my brothers in their native garb.