It has officially been a year since I moved to the Netherlands, and what a full year it has been!
Since 15 October 2014, I have:
- visited 5 european countries
- explored 5 provinces in the Netherlands
- moved house twice
- bought a house
- took up the saxophone
- found a job at TUDelft, which I love
- played in snow
- swam in the North Sea (brrr) and the Mediterranean
- cycled hundreds of kilometers
- walked / ran thousands at least 3000 kilometers
- and have experienced the mystery and misery known as the Dutch health care system
I have also not driven a car in over a year (which I miss), in lieu of the more accessible and energy-friendly bike and public transport options.
I was no stranger to public transport back in SA – in fact, I have many less-than-fond memories of 10-hour Greyhound bus trips that took 27 hours; of sitting for 8 hours in a seat that the previous occupant has peed on, unable to move because the bus was too full; and of riding in a packed taxi steered with a wrench because the steering wheel was missing. Continue reading