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Life in the Netherlands
  • Josh and Renée
Sep – Dec 2023

Life in the Netherlands

This is what our new lives abroad look like…🌤️💐 Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 4, 2023
    Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler

    Life the Netherlands

    September 4, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    Hello! We’ve made it back to Amsterdam now and today Josh has his first orientation day at CVA (university). We still have lots of things to work out before life feels completely settled in here, but now is the time where we learn what works for us 🥰

    We won’t be doing daily updates here anymore but we will still be updating this space weekly (hopefully)!!

    Here’s to new beginnings…stay tuned 😁    Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    Anmelden in Mijdrecht
    MarktBrauch wer ne Kamera?Neuer HutItalienish eis 💸Aufm weg nach AalsmereEndlich am schwimmenStrand mit WasserturmEin kleines Stück von ZandvoortFush & chups

    Very hot

    September 7, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    This week it’s been boiling weather. Almost every day hitting the 30s. Josh has been at the conservatory getting to know new people and learning about what his study will entail. I’ve been exploring more of Amsterdam - finding the best thrift stores, bakeries and parks for reading (finished my book!) On the weekend we went for swims twice!! Saturday was at Aalsmeer (neighbouring village) and today (Sunday) was at the huuuuuge beach at Zandvoort 🍀☀️ We’re starting to settle in and have begun practicing and learning the dutch language. Tot Ziens!!Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    E-bikes (18km one way!)
    Essen für JoshLecker 😋😋Chaos...De Pijp (in Amsterdam)JoshuaaaaIj-Hallen (flea market)Nachts raus !!Spät in der Nacht Dönerbrownie

    Routine

    September 12, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    This week has been all about getting into routine! I’ve been exploring more areas outside of Amsterdam and starting to get admin sorted, I’ve also really been enjoying cooking and making meals 😋

    We got our BSN numbers confirmed so now we can officially start looking for work, it also means we can open Dutch bank accounts and a lot of other important things 🥳

    In the weekend we had our first night out in Amsterdam!! We joined a uni friend of mine called Sophie from New Zealand, and a bunch of her friends that she’s made from living and working here for the past year. She returns back to NZ next week, so it was nice to catch up and hear all about her experience abroad ☺️ that’s all for this week…    Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    Glückliche Menschen
    Abend essenHarrieMijdrechtInteressante ArchitekturDie besten Bao bunsAlbert Cuyp marketMein neuer FreundEntlang der AmstelÖffnen der Brücke

    Dutchies

    September 24, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    This week has been a big one! We started the week off with some rainy/windy weather - finally getting our first taste of typical Dutch weather. I’ve been exploring areas nearby including Amstelveen and Mijdrecht. This weekend I took Josh to try the bao buns I found last week as they are just so delicious! We checked out the kilo store (thrift store) and josh found 2 pairs of pants which will be great for winter. On Sunday our landlords Ben and Christine invited us on their boat tour along the Amstel. We got to see more of De Ronde Venen (province) and were spoilt with the lovely sunny weather. It was so nice to see everything from the water 🦋 we also got some experience with the different type of bridges along the river and how to get through them! This week has been all about learning the Dutch way of life, we like it here 😊Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    Abendliche Radtour von Centraal, mit Vollmond 🌕 (nicht abgebildet)
    Joshuas zweites ZuhauseBlick von unserer StraßeSelbstgebackenne Joghurtpfannkuchen zum BrunchHeilige NicolaaskerkEndlich hier!!!!!! Ich kann für eine Weile stressfrei seinVor dem Abendessen im Gabies-Haus2Prost auf das WochenendeDutch poffertjes (mega lecker!!!!)Ich kann immer noch nicht glauben, dass wir hier sind...

    Change of seasons 🍂🌼

    September 28, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Autumn is finally here 🍁 even though we’re still being spoilt with the weather - today was 23 degrees for example!! This week was just like all the others; filled with lots of activities, lots of fun and busy times. We have enjoyed checking out more local and surrounding areas of Amsterdam, some notable places were Nieuwveen, Nes a.d. Amstel, Ouderkerk a.d. Amstel and Southeast Amsterdam! All very special in their own ways. We spent an evening at Hans (Joshes Uncle) best friend Gabies house for dinner. It was so nice to finally meet her. We really enjoyed our time chatting and getting to know her beautiful family. Feeling so grateful for all the connections!! 🥰🥰Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    Utrecht
    Die beste BurrataJoshua (und sein neues Hemd) in UtrechtErkundung von UtrechtRadfahren nach HoofddorpCardamon-Brötchen und Kombucha für einen bitteLesen am Fluss AmstelVorbereitungen für das AbendessenDie windige AmstelJoshuas Samstags-Pfannkuchen

    Happy living

    October 5, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Another week in the (mostly) sunny Netherlands! Enjoying quieter days but still exploring lots. This week I took myself to Hoofddorp - the largest town in another municipality near us. It seems to have lots of new construction around so a different feeling to other places I’ve visited.

    We’re facing some new challenges as we navigate the balance of work/life/study.
    Josh will start a part time job soon which is something we didn’t originally anticipate,
    but we are embracing these challenges with positives mindsets 😁 If all goes well we should both be working part time/full time hospo jobs by November (as I continue my search for a graphic design job).

    This weekend we took our bikes to Breukelen and caught the train to Utrecht. We didn’t know what to expect, but Utrecht was amazing!! We fell in love with the atmosphere, the canals (which are different to Amsterdam) and all of the lovely people and shops we visited really made our day special. Not to mention the burrata was so delicious (expensive of course). 🫠    Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    Rainbow!!
    Ich wünschte, die Bäume würden für immer grün bleibenSonniges, aber kühles AmsterdamWir haben niederländisches Restaurantessen probiert!Swing in UtrechtSehr schönes Utrecht2Der unglückliche AbsturzDas beste Butter chicken (und naan), das ich je gemacht habeRadfahren in Uithoorn1Zimtschnecken backen

    Highs and lows 🥶

    October 10, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    It’s gotten a lot colder here! 🥶 makes sense with Christmas being only 70 days away!!!
    This week has been filled with the same as always; Josh going to University and me cooking, reading and exploring 😁 We went back to Utrecht this weekend because we knew Amsterdam would be crowded with the city marathon on, plus we just really enjoy the city of Utrecht so much!

    We had a pretty surreal experience on the bus home on Saturday night. Around 9pm our bus was hit by another bus, which happened to crash right into our window where we were sitting. The window shattered and glass went flying all over us. Thankfully we weren’t hurt at all. Just crazy to think the only window that broke was ours - we had it pretty unlucky. Very thankful that we are okay but it was definitely a shock 😅

    We look forward to arriving in Germany next weekend!! We will keep you more updated then    Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    Picasso
    Im SchifffahrtsmuseumUtrechtGulaschDie AmsterdamIm Schiff

    November

    November 5, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    This week we’ve adjusted back to routine after being on holiday last week. I’ve organised some really exciting events for next week which *fingers crossed* will be a good step in the right direction for starting my design career here. Josh has been busy practicing and learning at uni - all day everyday. It’s nice having some time in the evening for painting and when Josh has time to cook, it’s always a treat 😋

    This weekend we biked into Amsterdam to visit the maritime museum. We got to go onto a replica of a Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship which was very cool. We both really enjoyed the photography exhibition called Food for Thought by Kadir van Lohuizen which explored food export and production in the Netherlands (which happens to be the second biggest agriculture producer in the world!) 🧅🚢    Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    Winter lights in Amsterdam
    Stedelijk MuseumLandlords are on Vaction so Harrie is down by us lotsMark Guiliana at BimhuisMark GuilianaArtis zoo

    Big week

    November 6, 2023 in the Netherlands

    This week has been a big one! We started the week off with a really cool jazz concert by Domi & JD Beck supported by the Metropole Orkest at the Carré. I spent some time this week in the Stedelijk museum, putting my museum card to good use. Josh saw one of his drumming heroes Mark Guiliana in a masterclass and concert at the Bimhuis. The weekend was pretty chill, we visited the zoo in Amsterdam, which was nice, but I thought the space for each animal was super small 🥺Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    Hans und Franz
    ❤️Schönes UithoornHarrieAmsterdamHerbstblätterFairy lightsTreat 😋Joshuas bread!Üben Üben Üben!!

    Our first visitors!

    November 19, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    This week we got to warmly welcome our first visitors to see us in the Netherlands! Hans and Franz came to visit us on Thursday evening where we got to enjoy a lovely dinner at the hotel they were staying at in Uithoorn! It was so nice to catch up with them and we are very happy they came to see us 💛 We focused this weekend on sorting a lot of things out around the house. I put up fairy lights so we can get into the festive spirit and Josh made us some bread! We went into Amsterdam to do some CV drops. We ended the successful day with a Nordic pastry treat 😋😋Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    Sonnenaufgang
    Herbst wird bald WinterDas Ende von der AmstelkadePrepVondelparkSo viele Märkte in AmsterdamIn FoodhallenFoodhallenPatisserieAmsterdam Centraal

    lucky week

    November 22, 2023 in the Netherlands

    This week started off with a bright orange sunrise which was very pretty to wake up to!
    Definitely feeling the autumn vibes and seeing all the orange hues 🍂 I’ve been enjoying daily runs and lots of wholesome cooking.

    We’ve had some good success from joshes CV drops. Next week he will make a decision between two places, a bakery or a patisserie 😋 I’ve also had some very positive outcomes from job searching, resulting in an interview which may lead to a very exciting internship opportunity if it works with my VISA…fingers crossed as we wait to hear back 🤞    Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    Erster Schneefall
    Blick von dem ConservatoriumSonnenaufgang bei unsIn AmsterdamDen HaagBerliner in Den HaagSchlange von einem Freund vom ComservatoriumSchupfnudeln

    Winter is here…

    November 28, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☀️ 4 °C

    It’s December 🥶 this marks our 4th month in the Netherlands! And has quickly become the coldest winter I think I’ve ever experienced. But it is pretty magical seeing the Christmas lights and feeling the festive spirits in a cooler climate ☃️ This weekend we went to the ‘12 hours of jazz festival’ at the Conservatorium where there were lots of performances by the students, including Josh who played in a few of different groups. I really enjoyed getting to experience the live music and meeting lots of Joshes friendly classmates. On Sunday we headed to Den Haag (The Hague) to explore the city. It became very chilly in the evening and even started snowing! ❄️ We had dinner at Simons place (joshes uni friend) which was really nice, he’s from Germany so we were of course drinking Glühwein and eating Schupfnudeln together.Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    Zwischen Uithoorn und Amstelveen
    Amsterdam BosRenée neuer ArbeitsplatzAmsterdam 🥰In RotterdamMarkthal in RotterdamHappy 😁Koreanisches Fried Chicken in RotterdamAdventskalenderVon Petit Gateau

    First week of December

    December 5, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C

    Finally a break in the rain! Surprisingly with the rain and snow we had last week, this week has been a lot calmer (and warmer) which has made bike rides into the city a lot nicer 🚲

    Super happy to report back on the job situations. Josh has officially started working at Petit Gateau (patisserie) and I have accepted a 6 month internship with the coolest brand/design studio called Oslop in Amsterdam. We got invited to their Christmas party which was a fun way to be introduced to more creatives, and nice for Josh to meet my new workmates 😄😄

    In the weekend we checked out Rotterdam which was really enjoyable. Unfortunately the Christmas market we had planned to visit was not worth it at all (Germany definitely does these better) but we still enjoyed exploring the city and we thought the Markthal was very cool! ☺️🌟    Read more

  • Josh and RenéeLife in the NetherlandsTraveler
    Gerburtstag
    Sonnenuntergang in UithoornWeinachtsbaum von den NachbarnVon Joshuas neue ArbeitFestival of Lights AmsterdamCanal TourEssen mit JonathanWeinachtsplätzchenWeinachtsmarkt in Amsterdamlecker churros

    Joshuas birthday week 🥳

    December 17, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌙 8 °C

    This week we’ve been up to lots! Jonathan arrived on Monday and we’ve really enjoyed getting to show him around our new city. We started the week off with some Christmas baking then we had a fun but very late evening in the city. We went to the Amsterdam Christmas market and got some sweet Glühwein and some delicious churros. It’s still safe to say that nothing beats a German Christmas market! Afterwards we had a very late viewing at 12:00am to watch ‘Castle in the Sky’ at the cinema (Joshes favourite Studio Ghibli film).

    On Saturday morning we celebrated Joshes birthday (early because he’s very busy on the 18th) with cake and presents 🤗 and in the evening we took Jonathan out to our new favourite Korean restaurant to have some fried chicken, kimchi and green grape soju 🥂 then Jonathan organised a festival of lights boat tour which was really cool! Nice to see a different perspective of the city from the water 🌟    Read more

    Trip end
    December 17, 2023
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