Image above: De Koppelpoort, part of the medieval wall that still surrounds sections of Amersfoort.
One week from today, Chris and I will have been living in the Netherlands for a full month. That seems crazy, doesn’t it? Where has the time gone? Chris works most weekdays, while I’ve been consulting part-time and coordinating the logistics of our apartment search. We bought used bikes and have explored the surrounding area (more to come as Spring arrives). I’ve found a local running group and yoga class (English-speaking for now) and Chris regularly attends CrossFit. And our Dutch class is going well, although the grammar can be a trial. Do you remember what the Present Perfect tense is? Neither did we.
A pop-up cheese stall outside the library. I had been working there for a few hours and wondering where the amazing smell came from!
Looking back, I see three productive weeks, but the day to day logistics have been overwhelming. From every angle, it’s felt like we’re somehow not “enough”. Rental agencies want recent paychecks as proof of income and we have to explain that we spent the past year in a tent. And without a permanent address, we can’t yet apply for our BSN (similar to a social security number), which is required to open a bank account, get health insurance, and reduce import taxes. With no local driving records, how do we avoid exorbitant car insurance despite our spotless driving histories? And our limited language skills often exclude us from the nuances of the Dutch regulations.
Inspirational quotes abound telling you to Follow Your Dreams! Blaze New Trails! Defy Convention! But I think they need a footnote saying that banking, housing, and immigration systems might not be designed to accommodate that. Chris and I put aside stability and structure to hike the AT and now to live in a new country and culture. At the moment, it feels like we’re being penalized for our courage; like we’re starting over as recent college grads without the benefit of our years of hard work. I’m eager to be present in this first month and to meet the unfamiliar with curiosity and interest. But at the moment, it doesn’t feel like the unfamiliar really wants to meet me.
The doctor is in! This is Chris's new place of employment.
We’re very aware that much of our frustration is simply wounded pride. We’re proud of our work histories and credit scores, and now our poor egos are suffering because we can’t refer to these. In three weeks or so, when we’re settled in an apartment with BSNs and bank accounts and health plans, we’ll look back on this transitional period and laugh. And I don’t mean to say that the adventure is not worth the frustration – we are really enjoying our time here and certainly recognize our fortune in making this move. But that footnote on the inspirational quote? It would have been helpful.
Regardless, on to new adventure! We’re celebrating my upcoming birthday with a trip to Brussels on Saturday – a mere three hours by train. Even though we can’t enter the Godiva factory (they guard their chocolatey secrets well…as they should), we are taking a city-wide chocolate tour and have firm plans to end the night in a sugar coma. Happy birthday to me 😊
It’s so wonderful to connect with friends and family whenever we can. Sending love and warm thoughts for Spring.
- Vicki & Chris
One of the many statues around Amersfoort. After spending so many months squatting in the woods, Chris and I are very tempted to sneak out at night and leave a small pile of stones under his bum :-) Chris would have squatted lower but his legs were shredded from an earlier CroosFit workout :-(
Chris looking Dutch with his new wheels.
We made a quick trip to Amsterdam last week. Still love the canals and architecture!