Eindhoven

We flew from Edinburgh to Eindhoven, catching a taxi to the airport after realising no public transport was working early enough to get us to the airport in time for our flight. Our flight was then delayed multiple times…😆. This was alright; the taxi was a lot easier for moving our big packs and now we had a tent too and it gave Vikum time to call his family and for us to wander the airside shops. Edinburgh Airport is smaller than expected but tidy and comfortable. We got on our RyanAir flight at midday and sat next to a Dutch man on his way back home after spending time watching the Cycling World Champs in Scotland. He was very direct, happy and interested in skiing/cycling…so very Dutch, which set the tone for when we landed in Eindhoven where the bag drop was unbelievably efficient and the welcome friendly. There at the gate to pick us up was Paul Vorselen, with a big smile and a kiss to welcome us to Eindhoven. It had been 6 years since seeing Paul, Myra and Tom - my flatmate in university accommodation when he travelled to NZ for a study exchange but it felt like just yesterday their family was staying in Hamilton with us on their travels through the North Island. Paul drove back to their home where another warm welcome was given by Myra who had a warm hug and lunch all prepared for us on arrival. We chatted about all the food that already included lots of new things we hadn’t eaten before and we also caught up on what life looked like for Paul and Myra in Eindhoven. Before long, it was time for Paul, V and I to head to the Phillips Stadium for the PSV vs Utrecht match. On the way, we walked through one of the central suburbs which used to be an industrial area that had been transformed into modern apartments and recreational areas which was a cool modern space, but unfairly to Paul and Myra - their great tour guiding didn’t all all get remembered clearly as I (H) was already knackered after our travel day. It started a bit hazy but after I knocked back a red bull my energy came back enough to enjoy the football, which was a beginning game of the Eredivisie season. Because it was an early games it was also described as being “a slow game”, however, in spite of this, the crowd seemed very lively to two kiwis who’d never been to a European football match before…the fan chants loud and drums never stopping. Vikum braved the long lines in the merch shop to pick his (early) birthday gift - this seasons’ PSV uniform shirt. While Paul wrangled me a PSV scarf so we fit right in at the fan seating area that Tom had bought us tickets for using his and his friends’ season access passes (we have been very lucky with all the great hosting and hookups that Paul, Myra and Tom have organised for us!!). PSV won the match 2-0 which meant the supporters came away happy and we left the stadium very tired after a long day of travel, adjusting to the language, walking/driving on the right side, and other minor cultural differences like the outdoor urinals setup in public right outside the stadium. Luckily Myra picked us up, and took us home again where we had an amazing harissa chicken Moroccan meal. The home-cooking really helped us over the line until we checked in for the night in Tom’s room while he was finishing his holiday in France. His Eindhoven return booked for the next evening.Read more