The Netherlands.
Tags:
Meet Sjoera.
Super hip, super cool Dutch girl. My constant companion during my stay in The Netherlands. An instant friend. She is mama to Spike, yep, Spike. Most likely one of the cutest kids I have ever seen.
Sjoera did such an awesome job of keeping me in line. Always there with an offer of tea or coffee or a coat. I packed totally wrong this trip - never imagined it would be as cold as it was. Woke me up every day with a cheerful "good morning."
Here we are loading up at IKEA:
And here we are with Queen Regina of Pien's near the top of the Dom Tower:
Loved the chance to be in Regina's stores. And to hang out with her. Such a nice time (even if it was really cold :)).
Once again I was totally enchanted with Dutch culture. The history. The people. The way they eat and chat and relax and have extra long meals. No one seems to be in a hurry. And of course, I love the bikes.
Here are a couple of my favorite shots:
Me & Florence:
The lovely ladies that drove from Germany:
I love walking around during class and taking photos of the progress and the cool ways that people interpret the project. Seriously one of my favorite parts of the workshops.
ROTTERDAM
My last day of teaching included two classes at Regina's store in Rotterdam. Great classes. Great store. Super cool city. Rotterdam is this amazing mixture of old and new. Fantastic modern architecture right next to very old buildings with wonderful character and charm and history.
When the classes were done for the day we took a water taxi over to the coolest place for dinner: Hotel New York. I want to move into this place. And we arrived at the perfect light of day.
Still working on my Scrapbook on the Road.
Still thinking about all the cool people I met. All the people I met on the last trip that I had the chance to reconnect with this time. Love that.
Traveling always makes me very contemplative. I think a lot about where I am in my life. I consider things, evaluate, ponder. What changes I will make this time around? I know for sure I will be simplifying again - traveling seems to nail down what is really important for me. Brings all the essentials into direct focus. I feel really thankful for that...
So home again for a bit. Cleaning up. Figuring out what is on my agenda for the week. Going through the piles. Ordering product for upcoming classes. Working on my CKU-A presentation. All that good stuff. And loving the boys. And driving my car. And sleeping in my own bed. And just being happy.
And, just so you know, I watched Walk The Line on the way over and on the way back.
Comments
Sign in or sign up to comment.
71 comments
Ali...............thanks for sharing these pics with us! Looks like you had a fabulous time and yet you still remained focused on the improtant things in your day. So good! Well done!
Lyn
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Great photos! And the bagels! Makes me want to go back to Montreal just to indulge in freshly baked bagels, with some smoked salmon and cream cheese. I know it sounds chauvenistic, and I hope you'll forgive me for that, but nobody makes bagels like they do in the bagel bakkeries of the Plateau Mont-Royal; just incomparable.
I've lived in The Netherlands now for nearly 16 years and must say I haven't experienced a winter quite like this one yet. Don't get me wrong, I does get cold over here, but my impression is that we usually get some relief in between the cold fronts. This year, it seems like it's been one big cold front hanging over this country since December. I don't mind though, I just bundle up better. And also, it seems like we've had more snow this year or, should I say, that there have been more flurries then usual, like this morning, for instance. Just love it!
Well... enough procrastinating now, got to get back to work. Have yourself a nice day,
Sophie
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali,
Next time can you pack my me and my mom in your suitcase (we'll probably fight being in such close quarters but it'll be worth it)!
My mom was born in Tilburg, Holland and hasn't been back in all this time (they immigrated to Canada when she was 5) She is dying to go back with me so we can visit our cousins and her last living Aunt...
Anyway, totally love the photos, wonder if any of my relatives were at your class?? Who knows???:)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hi Ali, I'm glad you got home save and sound.
I had a great time with you! Thanks again and please do come back ASAP!!!
Are Simon and Chris adjusted to you yet and viceversa? ;-))
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali...what can I say. You are a true inspiration on your outlook on life and presenting it through scrapbooking! Thanks girl! "You gonna eat those 'tots'?" Have a good one!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
welcome home ali, all the shots are great and it sounds like you had a really great time!!! thanks so much for sharing with all of us...michelle
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hi Ali,
good to hear you had a safe trip home.
I have loved the workshop. (I was on saturdagafternoon) Thank you so much for comming to Holland. Great photos you made.
Hope to see you again.
and don't forget
Doei
Chantal
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Wow you got so really cool photos!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
*love* the photos ali :) especially the one with the red boat.... fabulous!!!! ( still see the famous scraf from ooh la la hehehehe) glad you had a fun safe trip!
hugs
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
OHHH!!! You are so making me want to get my travel on. So much of the Netherlands reminds me of when I lived in England...
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
looks PERFECT! beautiful pictures-love them all. sounds like you had an amazing time. BUT...there's still no place like home! enjoy home :).
say hi to "the dude".
-p
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Wow, that was some trip! Looks like you had loads of fun. I love your new banner, by the way and I just saw Walk the Line...AWESOME!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Man, your photos make me drool. I'd love to go to the Netherlands. So progressive (thinking environmentally here). So pedestrian. Bikes. Villages. Old stuff. So different from all the same old-same old franchised landscape I see in my town.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I'm grren with envy!! I love reading your blog. So inspiring!!!!! It's wonderful that your job is also your hobby! Love it!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Welcome home! We all missed you but it looks like you had a fabulous trip :) Photos are amazing - I'm going to have to put the Netherlands on my places to visit :D
BTW - I saw Walk the Line last week...now I've got Johnny Cash songs goin' in my head.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hey Ali - glad your back. Kept up with you on my Treo while I was the Gulf. Didn't get the on-the-road done, but did save my stuff, journal a lot and found that 7 gypsies book when I get home. I'm READY! And that new Basic Grey Couture line is screaming at me!!!! USE ME USE ME!
I was wondering if you'd post some photos of a complete album like you did for that class.
Thanks!
Stacey
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Found your site thru Susan Cyrus' blog. Love your attitude, your ideas and projects. Your pictures are WONDERFUL! And so jealous you get to travel (internationally even!) doing what you love most. Keep up the good work.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali thank you for sharing these pictures. They are incredible. Just breath taking... Have a great week!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Wow, Ali...sounds like you had a great trip. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and pictures. Love them!! Walk the Line really is a great movie:)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
you are such the international SUPAH STAH! I love the photos that capture the beauty over there. so makes me want to just pack it all up and GO! go anywhere, with anyone. just to be able to go. but with 3 little kids and a brand new mortgage I guess I won't be going anywhere too soon. maybe a long weekend trip to the west coast and I can just pretend they speak another language...hmmmm. thanks for again sharing your journey, love it!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.