Tot Ziens

This is the last post on Dutch for Beginners as my time as ex-pat wife in the land of tulips, cheese and windmills, has come to an end, and I am writing this from my home back in the UK.

I never learnt Dutch. We never fully immersed ourselves in the Dutch culture, although having said that I found the Dutch lifestyle, especially the emphasis on a work/life balance and the predilection for family based outdoor and physical activities, admirable and inspiring. As a European I found it much easier to fit into the Netherlands than I did in the crazy commercial/materialistic/car is king world of California, even with the addition of the language barrier (and let’s face it, the Dutch speak impeccable English and I wasn’t totally sure my American neighbours ever really understood me!)

One of the main reasons I was happy to take on another overseas assignment was because I was about to face the empty nest syndrome at home – however, the nest still felt empty despite the scenic surroundings of Haarlem and the Hague, and I am over the moon at the prospect that one of my little fledglings is about to return home, at least temporarily, now that I am back in the UK.

However, I did find the time to complete that novel – and fingers crossed there will be more news on that in the very near future. As for my attempts at writing a book based on my experiences of being a sane (well at least relatively) English woman in LA, current working title ‘Is It Just Me?’, sadly this is no closer to reaching an end, having now been superseded by the need to write a guide to ex-pat life in the Netherlands. I haven’t decided on a title for that yet – it’s a toss up between ‘On Yer Bike’ or  ‘Into the Wind’, or a combination of both!

To anyone ever contemplating a move overseas, my advice would always be to give a try, because if I can survive it, anyone can. At the end of the day the traumas and frustrations of being an alien in a foreign land pale into insignificance. For me, it will always be memories of the friendships I’ve made along the way that will linger.

Travel certainly broadens the mind, and my mind has definitely been broadened by being in the Netherlands (especially since I joined the health club!).  Even if you don't want to live there - at least go for a visit. It's a wonderful place, full of history and culture, and once you've finished taking in the sights and smells of Amsterdam, head out into the countryside.

And to finish, a picture which just about sums it all up - and there's even blue sky!