We have family wherever we travel

So, there is this weird thing called family. Take a look at this definition of family : "people you love and love you back, not necessarily blood or biological, but you trust them and they trust you, and they take care of you and you take care of them." (Source : Urban dictionary... because yes, that is where I do my research!) We have family wherever we travel. We build relationships wherever we go. We will never be alone. 

I just finished up my third week living abroad. It is strange to think that I have become a part of the family de Boer in that short amount of time. There is a saying that time flies when your immersed in new experiences, or is it when you're having fun. Either way that is what the last few week have been experiences and fun! What might normally take months to develop, has taken three weeks. It becomes a necessity when traveling to build a relationship and trust the people who are caring for you. A necessity because of the need for love. We as human beings need love. God, our creator, made us to be loved and to love.  

My host family is very similar to my own family, at least in the number of people. A mom, a dad, an oldest son followed by three daughters. Each one is unique and has their own personality. Maroes is passionate. Romijn is tenacious. Aniek is strong. Yoran is dynamic. Sure, they fight and disagree, but what siblings don't? The moments that strike me the most are when the family feels emotion together. My heart fills with joy when we are sitting around the table smiling and laughing and that language barrier that I mentioned in a previous post, it doesn't seem as large.  

It occurs to me several times a day that this is real! I pause and realize over and over again that I have a family in the Netherlands. My blood-relation family is back in Minnesota, but in the here and now I am part of a family bonded in trust, love, and tranquility (and maybe a little or a lot of noise too). Furthermore, I believe that when traveling that these are the memories that make the most impact. This is what traveling is about for me - relationships. Of course, I absolutely love scenery and finding that perfect spot where you capture the essence of your trip in an Instagram post. However, all of that is mundane unless you build relationships.

God, Creator of the World, with love you made each human in your image. Let us honor your image through the relationships we build. Thank you for the gift of love and the ability to show love. Let our actions be a sweet offering to you. 

Pizza with the family de Boer
photo credit: Wietse's Facebook

Christmas time with the Argo family
photo credit: selfie stick

My two families on two continents

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See any similarities?

#katiespiceurope
#family

Instagram

Where the streets are small, the buildings tall ... see the city through my eyeball, and stay at least for a little while. #katiespiceurope #travel #netherlands #starchlife via Instagram http://ift.tt/1K4Y6s6

Excursion #1 - Zwolle

//Spicy Travels//

What do Spicy Travels look like? Hmm... eating flaming hot Cheetos maybe? Visiting the equator? Tasting new food? Perhaps all of these are true, but this semester my spicy travels will be on the tame side as I explore the Netherlands with SPICE (Study Program In Contemporary Europe).

Here is a little peek into the SPICE program. We will be taking excursions with two courses: art and architecture and Dutch culture and society.  This last Tuesday marked our first excursion to the fantastic city of ... Zwolle, Netherlands in the province of Overijssel. As many know, this city is my home until May. It doesn't feel as big as cities back home in the States, but once you start exploring there is a lot to discover. This effect is most likely because of the way the Dutch make use of their space. 

Space is everything. 

It's small, 
               its tight, 
                            its tall, 
                                       its packed.

On our excursion we walked from Viaa (the Reformed University), to the city center.

Along the way stopping to admire the house boats. Yes, the Dutch even make use of the space in the canals. The canal around Zwolle (shaped as a star) was used at one time as protection and now it is used as a housing platform and backyard. (Backyards here are also very small). 

Once in the city center, our two main stops were the museum and the bookshop.



Museum de Fundatie.

Type: Art

Is it worth seeing: Yes

Most memorable exhibit: Dutch Identity 

Interesting info: The top of the building is called the "eye."

 Waanders in de Broeren

What is it? This used to be a church, a monetary, and was recently renovated into a bookshop with a restaurant. The ceiling (left), and organ (right) are original.
The ceiling was painted with pictures of Saints and Bible stories to educate the illiterate about Christianity.



It is so strange for me to be in a city with so much history, so much pain, so much joy, so much culture. The bridge below for example. It is a new bridge built over the place where a very old bridge stood. That old bridge held a painful history. The Netherlands was occupied by Nazi Germany. Germans befriended the Dutch people, played with their children, were friends with shop keepers and then slowly Nazism took over. This bridge was the site of executions. But, triumph came in the form of a Canadian, as he rode into Zwolle and ... basically scared off the occupying Germans. In the middle of an execution none the less! Family were reunited and hope filled the holes left by pain. History fills this city. History that I only read about in books and see pictures online. Now I see where history took place. 

Lord God, You are the creator of all. The author of history itself. You had a plan and saw it through. Guide me in your plan. allow my life to be a sweat fragrance and offering to who the author of salvation. Amen

#katiespiceurope

#adventuretime

#excursions

katie_argo

Creating poems in Dutch and English! #creativity #katiespiceurope

— Katie Argo (@katie_argo) January 16, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/katie_argo

January 16, 2016 at 09:46AM
via IFTTT

Instagram

The wheels on the bike go round and round // biking is going to be our main mode of transportation this semester. Maybe I should log my distance? #katiespiceurope #thenetherlands #studyabroad via Instagram http://ift.tt/1ZBxcz4

katie_argo

1 week into my #studyabroad and tea has become a bigger part of my life #Netherlands #katiespiceurope

— Katie Argo (@katie_argo) January 14, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/katie_argo

January 14, 2016 at 02:04PM
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katie_argo

Won over Elle the cat in 5 days! #winning #livingthelife #katiespiceurope

Won over Elle the cat in 5 days! #winning #livingthelife #katiespiceurope

— Katie Argo (@katie_argo) January 13, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/katie_argo

January 13, 2016 at 10:11AM
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katie_argo

One strange thing about studying 7 times zones away is that I finish my day when others just start there's. #katiespiceurope #studyabroad

— Katie Argo (@katie_argo) January 12, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/katie_argo

January 12, 2016 at 01:15PM
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Wat // What // Qué

There are many things that are different from home, not bad ... just different.  Language for one. It is hard enough being 7 time zones away from your family, and then on top of that having a language barrier!!  Here are the thoughts that ramble through my brain.

My host family consists of Esther (the mom), Wietse (the dad), Yoran (the oldest brother), Aniek (the oldest sister), Romijn (the middle sister), and Maroes (the youngest sister). They have been wonderful and very welcoming. They are patient with me and I am with them. Because English is not the family's first language, finding a word is sometimes difficult. I am grateful that they try and communicate in English. And when they do speak Dutch, Esther or Wietse translate for me. For the kids, speaking in English is harder because for some they are just starting to learn English in the school. When they do speak in my native tongue, I am impressed and thankful for a little piece of ... well, peace, knowing that we can communicate. I want to jump for joy when they speak in English.

Despite, this small connection, there are times when I feel completely and utterly lost. When the whole family is at the eating table, everyone is excited and they love to talk. Church was all in Dutch. Random strangers walk up to me and start talking Dutch, asking directions. I feel frustrated that I don't know the language.  I have to focus twice as hard to try and pick up on other non verbal cues to know where the conversation is going.

However, during the 6 days I have been in the Netherlands, I have picked up several words. My peers say the same.  I am amazed at what our brains are capable of. My host family is a huge help (and so is Google translate). I learned numbers by playing games with my host sisters: Een, twee, drie, vier, vijf. They taught me the Dutch alphabet while drawing pictures. I am also working on reading Dutch (even if I can't understand it yet) by reading children's books and reading everything in sight. The family says I am doing "goed." Dank u wel! But, its so hard and I often feel inadequate like I am butchering their language. If at first you don't succeed try again! I keep trying because I want to communicate in their native tongue to show my appreciation for their hospitality. It seems early to be thanking them for their hospitality, but the first few days are critical - the adjustment period - so I guess its not premature. Pretty soon, I hope to jump for joy when I learn more Dutch!

Lord God Almighty, Thank you for your protection and guidance. Thank you for creating each one of us unique and in your image. Thank you for language and the means to communicate. May your name be praised by every tongue and nation.  Amen  //  Revelation 7:9

#katiespiceurope
#languagebarriers

katie_argo

Best way to learn Dutch... Read children's books with your host family as teachers. #katiespiceurope

— Katie Argo (@katie_argo) January 9, 2016

from Twitter https://twitter.com/katie_argo

January 09, 2016 at 01:03PM
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3 - 2 - 1 Take Off!

Nigeria 2011

“Oh the places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

And, we're off! As this post publishes I am most likely over the Atlantic ocean trying to catch some zzz's. I'm ready for a wonderful adventure to travel, learn, explore. Several have already said "you'll learn more about yourself and the country you are from when you travel." Saint Augustine is quoted saying, "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." I want to read as many pages as I can, I will never stop reading. Eventually, I'll have to read second hand through my kids, but I will always hunger for more of this book!

 

Nigeria 2011

This isn't my first trip over seas. I went to Nigeria in 2011 on a medical mission trip, so I am familiar with going through customs, passport security, and navigating different airports. Despite this experience, I am still anxious. I am anxious to see if anything has changed and if I remember things correctly. I am anxious to get on with this adventure and fill my brain with a new pages of the world book!

Mark Twain states, "Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all of one's lifetime."

James Michener states "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home."

I don't want to stay at home, that is why I chose to go on SPICE. Lord, open my eyes to see your people and to explore your creation so I may grow closer to you in your Kingdom here on earth. Here's to my journey where I aim not to be afraid of the unknown, but I aim to embrace the differences.

"Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,  

Healthy, free, the world before me,  

The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose." 

-- Walt Whitman

#AdventureTime
#katiespiceurope