Greetings from another lovely Sunday afternoon in Amsterdam. It is becoming harder and harder to settle down into thesis work when the sun is shining outside. Yesterday a friend and I biked to Haarlem, which is quite close to Amsterdam, where we went shopping and walked around the city. It was a great day and only a small bike ride compared to the previous weekend's 75km treck to and from the "Keukenhof". Directly translated it means 'kitchen garden' and it is the world's largest flower garden. Over 7 million bulbs are planted annually.
Having studied in Ottawa, I definitely feel a connection to tulips and the story connecting The Netherlands and Canada after the Second World War, as we hosted part of their Royal Family and their present Queen, Beatrix. It certainly was enjoyable to relax in the tulip garden and to take in all the pretty colours.
After all the biking I also put in more sporting effort, when I participated in the Annual Beach Volleyball Tournament organised by Amstelveen Rotary. There was a team put together of Amsteleveen Rotaractors and we definitely had a good time, while managing to squeeze out a couple of wins. Though it was held in side, playing volleyball in the sand had me wishing for summer and beach weather to arrive.
In other sporting news, I am also closely following the NHL Playoffs, as close as I can. Especially with the Annual Morrison Pool underway, too bad about the 6 hour time difference though.
More fun events/holidays are on their way: it will be a relaxing Easter weekend, with a possible visit from Belgium and then Queen's Day on April 30th, the craziest of the Dutch holidays! The beginning of May will bring Remembrance Day on the 4th, in commemoration of all fallen Dutch soldiers and then Liberation Day on the 5th.
Looking forward to enjoying all these events, let's just hope that along the way I also find the time to finish my thesis :)
Cheers once again and hope that wherever you are, you are also enjoying spring weather.
Laura
Having studied in Ottawa, I definitely feel a connection to tulips and the story connecting The Netherlands and Canada after the Second World War, as we hosted part of their Royal Family and their present Queen, Beatrix. It certainly was enjoyable to relax in the tulip garden and to take in all the pretty colours.
After all the biking I also put in more sporting effort, when I participated in the Annual Beach Volleyball Tournament organised by Amstelveen Rotary. There was a team put together of Amsteleveen Rotaractors and we definitely had a good time, while managing to squeeze out a couple of wins. Though it was held in side, playing volleyball in the sand had me wishing for summer and beach weather to arrive.
In other sporting news, I am also closely following the NHL Playoffs, as close as I can. Especially with the Annual Morrison Pool underway, too bad about the 6 hour time difference though.
More fun events/holidays are on their way: it will be a relaxing Easter weekend, with a possible visit from Belgium and then Queen's Day on April 30th, the craziest of the Dutch holidays! The beginning of May will bring Remembrance Day on the 4th, in commemoration of all fallen Dutch soldiers and then Liberation Day on the 5th.
Looking forward to enjoying all these events, let's just hope that along the way I also find the time to finish my thesis :)
Cheers once again and hope that wherever you are, you are also enjoying spring weather.
Laura
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