Well, it’s not pretty. We had a financial scare with the Dutch tax authority – death and taxes – but my imminent departure has been postponed…for now.
My employer is trying to fix things at the same time Kathryn’s employer is determining the next steps for her contract (which expires at the end of the year). Since our residency is tied to her contract, they must decide this week what to do.
Week 24 was spent in Providence, helping my mom.
I arrived late afternoon Tuesday, when I was expected in the AM. Stupid Aer Lingus.
Barely celebrated Kathryn’s birthday, though not really due to me. She had a work function ON her birthday (Thursday), and then a mini work celebration on Friday.
Sunday we went back to the Puur Markt and tried a new meal – a Hungarian pork burger. Unbelievably good.
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This will be my last post. Certain events of the past 6 months have recently come to light. I am no longer enjoying my time here, and my time left in Amsterdam is now limited. I no longer have the time or energy to focus on this archive for my remaining days.
Thank you for reading.
Monday, back from Edinburgh… late. Flight delayed significantly due to weather at Gatwick airport. Our second Hello Fresh box arrived late in the evening.
Tuesday we had HF dinner late. Also received a call from my aunt Mary – my grandmother is passing.
My grandmother passed at 2PM EDT on Wednesday. I changed my flights to be home for the wake and funeral. I kept my return for 9/7.
Thursday was my travel day
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I hated this flight.
Aer Lingus singled me out and took me aside and treated me like a criminal. The had me (and just me) open my carry-on bag and power on every single electronic device.
Needless to say, this is the last time I’m taking Aer Lingus.
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I arrived at Terminal E and breezed through to baggage claim. Wasn’t the last bag for a change. Got picked up by Julie and headed to Melrose. The car I was borrowing needed new brakes, so I was unable to leave Melrose until 5 – making it a 2 hr traffic-filled commute to RI.
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Mom’s health is deteriorating. She can barely walk or use her fingers. If this keeps up, she won’t be able to live alone.
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My HS friend came to the wake, and come to find out, the annual Woodman’s trip was planned for Saturday evening. So after the funeral, we spent some time at Steve’s, then we drove to Essex and Woodman’s.
Sunday, we drove back to Melrose, had lunch at Papagayo on Rt 1, ran an errand at CVS, then went home. After looking for items in the attic, I drove her to the airport.
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Delta was going to be my next go-to airline, but they too treated Kathryn like a criminal because she had no return trip planned to the US. WTF is wrong with these airlines?
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Slept in Melrose on Sunday. Wasn’t feeling well, so skipped dinner.
Restaurants Visited
Riviera Inn (E Providence)
Papagayo (Saugus)
Monday we found out we did not win a book binding course.
Wednesday was the first day of Sail 2015. I sneaked away around 2PM (the time on the website) to see if any ships were making their way into port, but it was too early. After dinner, Kathryn and I went down to see some of the sailing parade (it ran late) and then stayed for fireworks (they closed one of the road bridges so the ships could sail deep into the IJ, so we grabbed a spot there).
Friday we left for Edinburgh. Our flight was delayed about an hour and a half, so we went straight to our apt for the weekend. (It was small, new, and adequate; but the windows were antique and noisy, and we were on a very noisy/busy street.) Afterwards, we walked a little then ended up at the Fringe – a performing arts festival. People line the streets handing out fliers to free and paid performances. Bars and nightclubs become performance venues to fill the gaps. Kathryn received a flier for a musical comedy “where the gov’t plays matchmaker”. Unfortunately, it was not a free performance (not worth the money). For dinner, we went to the Malt Shovel.
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Approx. 400,000 people live in Edinburgh. This weekend, Edinburgh estimated 1.2 million for Fringe, the Book Festival, and the Military Tattoo
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After breakfast Saturday at Patisserie Valerie, we went on an all-day tour through Rabbies where we went to the Highlands border and toured Glengoyne and Deanston distilleries.
On the way, we stopped for a look at the Forth Bridge, built in 1890 and still functioning as a railway bridge.
For lunch, we stopped at the Oak Tree Inn on Loch Lomond. For dinner, we tried “The Mosque Kitchen” back in Edinburgh, which, yes, is in the basement of a mosque. Apparently there’s a second site that was the actual place recommended to us. We chose to avoid the Fringe all day.
Sunday we first went to the Botanical Garden, followed by lunch at The Makers Rest. Then a quick walk to the Edinburgh Castle for a few hours.
On the way back to the apt, Kathryn climbed the Scott Monument.
For dinner, we could only get a late reservation at Howie’s, so we went to a Fringe “free” comedy show to pass the time. (“Free” = donation requested). With still more time to kill, we went to “The Wee Bar” which was pretty wee. There was a folksy/bluesy musician there (from Detroit but now living in Edinburgh) who started singing once we got there, since we were the only people in the bar (except for the apathetic bartender). Again, “free” entertainment.
Restaurants Visited
Bread! (Schiphol Airport)
Malt Shovel (Edinburgh)
Patisserie Valerie (Edinburgh)
Oak Tree Inn (Balmaha)
The Mosque Kitchen (Edinburgh)
The Wee Bar (Edinburgh, drinks only)
Howie’s (Edinburgh)
Back to the grind.
Tuesday, Kathryn decided we should go out to eat after her rowing class; so we ended up at Tapas De Arroyo on the Amstel. Amazing!
Wednesday I got an email from Joe Miech saying he was in town with his girlfriend and wanted some advice on what to do. I quickly realized we never made such a list for visitors, but I came up with a few ideas.
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In case you are wondering:
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We met them for dinner at Haesje Claes, as they wanted a traditional Dutch meal. (Moeders was full)
Friday we met Carlos and Chris at Bar Hugo. Time flew by – we needed an Uber by 12:30 (Trams had stopped running)
Saturday we hosted a small party prior to going to the zoo for a special evening (at the zoo). Johanna and her model and actress sister Malin, Ben and Kieke, Peter (back from Liberia), Bec (not Rebecca from class) and Shelli joined us for Sgroppino pre-zoo and then we picnicked at the zoo. “Sue the Night” performed and Bec and I went on a special zoo tour at 8PM.
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Uggh. It’s getting dark by 9PM now. Still better than Boston, but depressing as “winter is coming”
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Sunday Kathryn met some expats for brunch while I caught up on TV. Then we left around 3:30 to go to Ben’s “open dag” (open day, or in America, open house). Kathryn bought a small notebook and we registered to win a free course. Afterwards, we had dinner at Morgan & Mees, a place we’ve passed numerous times. We tried Graceland for barbeque, but it appeared only the bartender was on duty.
Restaurants Visited
Tapas De Arroyo
Haesje Claes
Bar Hugo
Morgan & Mees
Monday we received our first Hello Fresh box – something similar to a CSA. They send you ingredients for three meals (or 5 if you pay extra). Lots of veggies… don’t see us keeping this up.
Andy’s friend Shelli got a job at Nike. She moved to town over the weekend and asked to get together to discuss neighborhoods (for rentals). She wanted to meet at a place on a canal near the Centrum, so we went to Grand Cafe Jaren.
Tues was rowing night again. I went to Burger Bar yet again.
Wed was our first Hello Fresh cooking adventure. Lots of work for little reward. The fish was a little fishy and not as large as when we buy locally. The mashed potatoes were good, but a lot of work for something we can buy pre-made.
Thurs was Hello Fresh day 2. Pasta with a cream sauce and a lot of veggies. We made the ground chicken and pasta with sauce separately from the veggies, then she mixed hers together at the end (while I stayed veggie-free). Nice concept to have the cream-sauce pre-made, but was very bland.
Fri, tired of a failed HF experiment, we decided to try Meat West for dinner (near De Hallen).
Saturday, Kathryn ran some errands then we decide to explore the eastern docklands. We went for lunch at KHL near the Lloyd Hotel. We then walked to KNSM island to try to find gelato but there was none to be found. After sitting for a bit by the water, we checked out the “Jumbo” grocery store then headed home. For dinner, we went back to Girassol for Portuguese. The owner told us to come back in two weeks and he’ll get us a case of Vino Verde at his cost.
Sunday we intended on going to De Parade for dinner. We first went to a park nearby to “relax” (I can’t really relax when lying on the ground). The we decided to go to Amstelpark to explore, and we found a market that is the second Sunday of every month. We had some Brazilian bread and bought some donuts. We then decided to skip De Parade and go to a new cafe ‘t Vliegertje. Afterwards, we stopped at Venetie Ijs for some gelato then headed home.
Restaurants Visited
Grand Cafe de Jaren
Burger Bar
Meat West
KHL
Girassol
‘t Vliegertje
Venetie Ijs (ice cream only)
Rain, rain, and more rain. Horrible start to the week. Kathryn was at an AIDS conference in Amsterdam Tues-Fri.
Monday we went with Peter to Eetcafe Blauwbrug. Kathryn and I last ate there in Feb when I traveled over for apartment hunting. I think it will be a good drinking place (for bitterballen) but not for food.
Tuesday, Peter left for Liberia. Kathryn went rowing again, leaving me on my own for dinner.
Wed we decided to try De Pizzabakkers near us. Pizza was OK. I miss real pepperoni.
Thurs for dinner, we did not want to venture far so we ended up at Woo Bros.
Friday we ate in and I played AOE with Jim. Kathryn finally made toll house cookies. She saved some for the party Saturday and we had a bunch.
Saturday was Gay Pride Amsterdam. We were invited to Kathryn’s coworker Daan’s place. There were supposedly 80 boten (boats) on the canals in the parade, but sadly, most were “corporate” – an excuse to ride in a parade. Next year, it’s turning into EuroPride…with Amsterdam the frontrunner to host. Overall, we met some nice people, but in general, cliques are cliques. Afterwards we walked to Taj Mahal for Indian food, then walked to a gelato place nearby before heading home.
Sunday we wanted to get away. Kathryn had just received a mini-mag about Flevoland, or New Land – reclaimed land northeast of Amsterdam. We hopped on a train to Lelystad then bussed to Bataviawerf.
Was supposed to be a nice ship-building attraction, but it was more money than it was worth to see a boat that was probably similar to the one we saw at the Scheepvartmuseum. We decided to grab lunch at Grand Cafe Sailors, which ended up being inside an outlet center (yes, like Wrentham). We bought some exercise clothes then headed home.
Restaurants Visited
Eetcafe Blauwbrug
De Pizzabakkers
Woo Bros
Taj Mahal
Grand Cafe Sailors (Lelystad)
Kathryn’s friend Peter came to visit on Monday. Thankfully, he carried the remainder of our clothing and toiletries with him.
Monday we ate in. Tuesday, Peter accompanied Kathryn to her rowing class. They ate afterwards while I stayed home the entire time for a REDI call.
Wednesday we went back to Gusto. Afterwards, we found this really old Genever distillery down some alley near Dam Sq. (Wynand Fockink). We did the touristy “sip from the bar” then slowly finished the glass before heading home.
Thursday, Ben from Dutch class invited us to meet at Cafe Buhrs. There, his friends from Somerville (of all places) were in town. We ended up at De Duvel for dinner, then back home.
Friday, Peter’s friend Brittany came in from the UK. We went to “Hiding in Plain site” near our apt. Drinks were great but expensive. Brittany did not eat, so we went to Salsa Kitchen (the local Chipotle) for food.
Saturday was a crazy rain storm. Trees were knocked down, rain was falling sideways. We met Peter and Brittany at Singel 404 for lunch. Afterwards, the rain was so crazy we decided to go back to the apt. They played Uno. For dinner, we did the rijsttafel at Indrapura.
Sunday was a little better. We went on the ferry to NDSM (the “Brooklyn” of Amsterdam). We had lunch at Noorderlicht, a funky cafe near the water (similar to Hanneke’s Boom). We walked through the Jordaan to get home but the rain came again. We got home at 4 and Brittany left shortly after. For dinner we went to Frenzi.
Restaurants Visited
Gusto
Cafe Buhrs (drinks only)
De Duvel
Singel 404
Indrapura
Noorderlicht
Frenzi
Kathryn is in India all week.
Didn’t shower on Monday – no reason to. Rainy day, busy with new sprints. Plenty of food in the huis.
Home Tuesday and Wed.
Feeling cabin fever on Thursday, went to the Foodhallen and Filmhallen to see the Minions movie.
Friday was supposed to meet Sergei and Ben for drinks, but Ben changed plans last minute and forgot to tell me. Had drinks alone at Cafe Buhrs then dinner at the Burger Bar on my way home.
Kathryn got home around 10 on Saturday and slept some of the afternoon. When she finally got up, I suggested Bar Huf for drinks/dinner followed by Inside Out.
Sunday we had lunch at Cafe Jaren, followed by drinks with her friend Craig at Cafe Wildschut. Too lazy to get home for dinner, we also ate there.
Restaurants Visited
Foodhallen
Cafe Buhrs (drinks only)
Burger Bar
Bar Huf
Cafe Jaren
Cafe Wildschut
Kathryn’s father is in town all week. Kathryn took most of the week off to spend with him. I had to work.
Monday we all tried to go to dinner at Indrapura, but no reservation. We ended up back at Gusto.
Tuesday Kathryn worked and her father spent all day at the museums by himself. For dinner, Kathryn started her rowing class, so her father and I went to Haesje Claes for traditional Dutch fare. Afterwards, we had to have the pie at Winkel43. Walking back around 9 PM, the line for Anne Frank was still very long.
Wednesday I took a half day and we all went to Edam for the cheese market. After buying cheese, we went to Volendam for lunch at Het Haven Gat. Tired, we went back to Amsterdam after lunch.
For dinner Wed, we made the reservation for Indrapura. We went home and made Sgroppino for the first time.
Thursday, Kathryn and her father visited more museums. For dinner, we went back to Za Za’s.
Friday her father went back to the states.
Saturday we met our classmates at the Gelato Festival. Afterwards, we went to the Cafe Buhrs (next to Ruis) for drinks. For dinner, Indonesian again at a nice place called Sama Sebo.
Sunday Kathryn and I biked to the Amsterdamse Bos – a giant park that looks like it hosted the Olympic rowing events.
Since we didn’t eat all of our gelato options on Sat, we stopped at the festival again on Sunday on our way back.
Restaurants Visited
Gusto
Haesje Claes
Winkel43 (pie only)
Het Haven Gat
Indrapura
Za Za’s
Cafe Buhrs (drinks and bitterballen)
Sama Sebo
