So I’ve been living in Ypenburg for 1 month now, Holland for over 2 and am feeling a sense of routine and stability. I was even fleetingly fooled into thinking that I was probably past the whole that-was-the-first-time-I’ve-ever-done-that feeling. Well I was wrong. Last week I was fortunate enough to have the week off and a Mum and sister to visit me at my residence (yes, you guessed it...that was a first). Here’s a list of some of the things I did for the first time last week...
- As mentioned, I saw my Mum and sister in person. For the first time in two months. The first few days together we visited a range of family members: holding my cousin’s first baby, incidentally my first cousin to have a baby, was something I will never forget.
- A family meal out in Sassenheim (first time I’ve ever eaten out in Holland) was ‘gezellig’, and that’s coming from a non-Dutch vegan so no mean feat. Filled with confidence a meal out in Delft with the sister made it onto the itinerary.
- Taking my sister around all the places I’d been to in the Hague we stumbled upon the Haagse Toren. First time seeing the Hague from above and it was awesome. A trip to Scheveningen pier also brought an unexpected opportunity to view the Dutch coast from on high, once more worth the climb.
- A visit to the cinema ticked another thing off my list. As ever the original English was respected but the Dutch subtitles were a novelty and a very good learning experience.
- Despite the poor weather conditions we journeyed to the Haagse Market, dubbed the largest market in Europe. Tucked away from the centre of the city it was definitely a hidden gem. First time at a market so large and with 5 mangoes for €1 it had some of the best deals I’ve seen to date.
- Perhaps not so Dutch but a stroll down the Hague’s China Town led to my first ever taste of Bubble Tea. Not so easy to explain, I recommend simply trying it. I went with strawberry flavour and I have absolutely no regrets.
