Traipsing Through the German Forest

On Second Day Christmas (the 26th for all you non-Dutchies out there) my sister, her husband and I ventured out to see her in-laws. Heather had told me before how magical Timo's family's place in Germany was: an old inn in a village of three hundred right smack in the middle of the forest.

We don't often have times to disconnect in a world ruled by the Gods of Signal. Being there was like being in another time. Our days were spent venturing through the brush, and our nights huddled around the big dining table, fire to our backs, deep in conversation over cups of Glühwein (mulled wine).

Taking the dogs for a walk

Our merry band of travelers: Bernard, Sebastian, Timo and I

Abandoned brickworks

Frosted stream

Playing a little fetch in the fields

Heading back into the village

Perfect old German cottage

"Forest and Forestry Museum"

The family's Inn

The second day there we caught the tail end of a Christmas market the next town over. As I am quite crazy for Christmas this was spectacularly fun for me. The interesting building below is where you can get a steaming cup of mulled wine, or even eggnog (though by then I'd already had too much sugar). You give a deposit (a pfand) for a ceramic cup that your wine comes in. I think you really are meant to give the cup back and get back your 2€, but I kept it as a keepsake.

Glühwein at the Christmas Market, Germany

Charming architecture in Germany

Chomping down on a Nutella filled crepe... moments after a humongous bratwurst

Enjoying the fireside and a rustic German life

Sometimes I really think I could live out a rustic life. Long conversations and the slow way suite me.

My Heart is in Amsterdam

Every time I come to visit my family and friends in Amsterdam I leave a little bit of my heart behind.

I already miss this little monster. Coat by Calvin Klein, handmade scarf

I was born here, I grew up here, and yet I no longer live here. I know the streets well, I bike like an echt Amsterdams meisje and I find my Dutch only getting better and better. I hope that one day my story will take me back home, because The Netherlands is my home. When you grow up as a third culture kid your passport country is not always the place you feel is home. I am Dutch, passport or no.

Haarlemerstraat, NL

My sister lives on the Haarlemerstraat, a trendy neighborhood of Amsterdam. Every building here is beautiful and full of character.

Likeurtje from Walter Woodbury Bar and thrifted purse

One of the first nights I got back my sister and zwager (brother-in-law) took me to the Walter Woodbury Bar, a surprisingly North American style bar. I think my sister must feel a little homesick for Canada, and this is an establishment that feels like it belongs in Queen West (minus the delicious bitterballen on the menu).

Shoes by Bandolino, jeans by American Eagle and coat by Calvin Klein

Of course, arriving so close to Christmas I was shuttled about by my sisters for some last minute shopping. The Kalverstraat (the Walking Street) is the busiest place you could shop. It's like an outdoor mall, but it has everything you could ever need. I discovered a couple new brands like Monki, Pull and Bear, and Bershka.

Sabon on the Kalverstraat

Amsterdam Museum, Amsterdam NL

Coffee at Museumcafé Mokum

One of those shopping days I stumbled upon the Amsterdam Museum looking for a good cup of coffee. I love how the Dutch do coffee. Instead of drip they serve you a deliciously creamy long shot and almost always compliment you with a cookie.

Freshly made stroopwafel from the Dappermarkt, Amsterdam

I indulged in a little taste of my childhood while hunting through the bustling Dappermarkt. You can buy stroopwafels here in Canada, but it's not the same as having a freshly made one.

At the Tuschinski. Top by Scotch and Soda, jeans by American Eagle, bag by Matt and Nat and shoes by Ralph Lauren Denim and Supply

While in Amsterdam I caught The Hobbit. I have to say that I don't like how it was filmed - this whole more frames per minute thing makes me feel like I'm watching something low-budget. How ironic, and what a waste of production money! But seeing the movie in the glorious Art Deco Pathé Tuschinski theatre made the night worthwhile. If you travel to Amsterdam you just have to see this theatre, even if you don't actually see anything playing there.

Christmas Day in Amsterdam was sunny and bright

Christmas day I took the kids to a playground to keep the chaos out of the house for a little while. On the way I got distracted by one beautiful building. Inside was a courtyard and utter stillness. It was a seniors residence, with a neatly trimmed garden and a beautiful view.

Sisters compare hands

Later that week my sisters and I checked out the Amsterdam Light Festival. After talking which side of the family Rachel's kids take after, she turned to compare each of us. We all look alike in our own way, even if we don't look strongly like mum or dad. She had us compare our hand. Mine are like my mum's with long and knobbly fingers.

At the Amsterdam Light Festival

Artis Zoo, Amsterdam

The day before we left we took the kids to the Artis Zoo. I have so many childhood memories of traipsing around this zoo. I may have more memories of playing on the playground, to be honest, but I distinctly remember the tiger that I named Rajah (Ajay tells me this name is the equivalent of the English "Alistair").

A dirty Dutch tile

And just for fun, here's a dirty Dutch tile.

What place do you call home?

Going Dutch

I'm proud of my homeland; the Netherlands is a beautiful and inspiring country. And yet I hesitate at times to tell people where I'm from. Inevitably I am faced with the following: "How's the Red Light District?" "Smoke a lot of dope?" "What do your parents do?"

It frustrates me that the first thing people jump to is the seedy stereotype of Amsterdam, which I will have you know is vastly overstated. I may have only been a child while growing up in A'dam, but I go back regularly. The tourist industry booms every season, rain or shine, and it saddens me that so many people who visit have a singular purpose.

There is so much art and culture in the Netherlands, so much history and beauty in such a small country and I wish that when I told people I'm from Amsterdam their response would be "Wow it's so beautiful there!" "Have you seen Rembrandt's work at the Rijksmuseum?" "What is the food like over there?"

My brother-in-law, Timo, who is visiting with my Sister from the Netherlands just asked me what I was writing. "When people ask me 'How is it living in Amsterdam' I tell them it's like biking through a fairytale every day."