Jet Lag

Jet leg... let me tell you it's a real thing that wakes you up at 2am, 4am, and 6am every day for a week straight! At 4am you body is certain that it's 10 in the morning but the clock says differently. Thankfully, I am now a few weeks out and the jet lag has subsided. However, I still try and pull that excuse to go to bed early or to take naps, but my friends are not buying it anymore; instead, they just look at me and say, "You've been home for 3 weeks now, get over it #siudwi (suck it up and deal with it)" Experts say that it takes one day for every hour difference. And that is true for sleep side of things. Each day got a little easier and by the end of the first week I was only waking up at 6am instead of 2am.

And then life starts to set in... My sleep schedule has returned to normal, but there are several things that remain "jet lagged." For example, I find American coins very strange; they are so light and frankly I don't use them as often as I used euro coins. Secondly, I can't just call up a friend and say I'm biking over to your place now. I can't bike to the store or the market. Other things include ordering, I have to remember that when I go to order something that I can actually use English.

I think the biggest thing that has been "jet lagged" is the fact that Tuesdays no longer revolve around which Dutch city we'll be visiting this week as a SPICE family. Lately, I miss them all especially more than usual because I am in transition. Transition is a word that I will most likely be using for the next few months as I try and find my place after study abroad and after graduation. I'm also transition from being surrounded by a group of students traveling Europe to being with family in one stationary spot. And then one more transition this week. I'm transition from being at home with family and few responsibilities to a camp where I am surrounded by friends that feel more like family and where my responsibilities seem overwhelming at times. In these times of transition, I find myself missing the spontaneity of my time with the SPICE group, I find myself homesick for a group that it took me 4159 miles and nearly 3 weeks to remind myself that we became bonded by our similar experiences and our need for connection.

So friends that I may encounter during these times of transition. Be patient with me if I talk incessantly about the Netherlands. Bear with me if Dutch words are the first out of my mouth or instead of using the English word, I want to learn the Dutch equivalent. Hug me extra tight if I come and my eyes are red, I may have just bawled my eyes out missing Europe. Push me forward (or off my chair) if I keep talking about de vliegende paard. Tell me to #siudwi if I blame things on jet lag because let's be real, jet lag ended about 3 weeks ago.

------

#katiespiceurope
#studyabroad

Memories

I have put off writing a blog post as long as I can. I haven't been able to find the words that can describe the last few weeks let alone the last four months here in Zwolle. They have been emotional to say the least. There are times when I come home after everyone has gone off to bed and I find myself clinging to memories of the semester. I find myself in the chair after several moments of silence and realize that I have tears trailing down my cheeks. I have been trying to prepare myself for the moment that I say my final "see you later." Its not easy to leave a place where you have made four months of memories, but the thing about memories is that you can take them with you. So, here are my top 5 memories that I hope never to forget:

(1) Saturday night pancakes followed by Wie is de mol (in the first few months). In the words of Yoran "the best night!"

(2) The horse ride in the park. What a surprise adventure! You could hear our laughter across the field and see our smiles for miles and miles! Aniek and I even got to drive the horse duo.

(3) Laser gaming. Pitting family members against each other. Blue vs. Red who will win?

(4) Baking cookies and cake pops with the girls.

(5) Tea time. Even if everyone is on their phone or the girls have gone to bed already. I love this little ritual of a cup of tea to end the day.

So as I sit here on my last evening with the family de Boer, I am sad to leave, but I am immensely grateful for these memories that I have to take with me.

***Additional memories see dinner time post

-------

Heavenly Father, I stand in awe of you and the works that you have done. Thank you for placing me in such a loving home where memories are made and you name is honored. Bless this family for they have been a blessing to me

#katiespiceurope
#family

When in Rome

Oh the places you'll go and the people you'll meet. When you travel with a group try not to fall on you feet. - Dr Seuss (edited by L.L. Cornstarch).

The travel craze lately has been focused on traveling alone. My own travels have emulated this trend as I've treaded through 7 countries with only myself by my side. I have loved the challenge of finding out who I am and stretching my comfort zones. Meeting new people came easy because I was forced to rely on strangers for a lot of my needs. However, I have had my share of group travels as well, including a most recent trip with a group of 30 students to Rome, Italy. Well it may be obvious that I prefer one way to travel over the other, it does not mean that one is necessarily better than the other - they are just different. Those differences are influenced by the group dynamic as well as the size of the group. Here are the main differences that I discovered:

(1) Spontaneity has a different meaning in a large group because everything is planned and there is a schedule and a route to the way the day moves. It's harder to veer off course and see a sight thats not on the schedule. It's harder to fully rest on your break when you know you have to keep walking in 10 min. However, everything is planned for you. Instead of me fumbling through the ticket line to get into museums or finding out which churches to see, things are already taken care of and I just follow the group where they lead me. I definitely saw more sites with a group than I did on my own. There were two different styles of learning. On my own it was all about about learning through experiencing the culture and walking around. With the group it was all about the sites and learning the history behind them.

(2) Other people's opinions matter. You have a other people to consider when you are with a group - their expectations, their tolerances, habits, likes and dislikes. For example, making choices for dinner. Instead of one opinion you get about a million. You also notice that more people are indecisive when it comes to a group because they want everyone included, and then you run across those people that take charge. Personalities really come to light in groups. When you travel alone it is up to you to fulfill all the group roles.

(3) So many people to talk to. You can just float around from person to person as you walk, making conversation as you go. You might get separated from you convo buddy for a block or two and you have a few choices find a new one, meet back up with them or walk by yourself. What makes a conversation work? Anything. Anything at all! Name you poison. What did you think of church number 7? Number 23? Number 370? Would you visit Rome again? Would you live in Rome? Where else have you travelled? What do you love most about the Netherlands? You name it and it goes, even if for one short convo.

Travel far enough, you meet yourself - Cloud Atlas

     Traveling is where I became confident in finding my way through the unknown. It all started with a single plane ride across the Atlantic (okay maybe two planes) where I met a family that was unknown to me at first, where I experienced a culture that was unfamiliar. I briefly tasted what it is like to travel and live out of your backpack for 3 days, 6 days, 12 days! I traveled by myself and with groups of people. I watched the sun rise and set in more than one country. I shared countless stories that may have caused a few people to be jealous. I hopefully shared a few that inspired at least one person to pursue their desire to travel (even if its a short trip across the pond).
 
     There it is, the end of my travel adventures. But, to say it is the final end would be a lie so let me re-phrase that to say: my travel adventures are wrapping up here in Europe and I'm keeping my eyes peeled for the next time a door like this opens up.

----

Lord thank you for your continued protection as my travel adventures of the semester come to a close.

#katiespiceurope
#travel

Excursie #6 - Den Haag (in het Nederlands!)

Okay here goes my first blog post in Dutch ... This HAS BEEN a goal of mine since the beginning of the semester - to be bootable to communicate in Dutch, even just a little bit.

Okay, my first blog that I write in Dutch. Thursday I was in The Hague with other students from SPICE. It was a fun day because we saw  the second chamber (parliament), lots of art, the sea, and Madurodam (small Netherlands). My favorite was Madurodam. But the second room was also nice because we saw Geert Wilders (He is the Donald Trump of the Netherlands!).

The Hague is near Rotterdam, but is not close to Zwolle - a two-hour train. But two hours is nothing after my trips to Scandinavia.

The Hague is "political heart" of the Netherlands. We walked through the second Kamar. We saw a debate with the Minister of Justice (and Geert Wilders was there).

This is Geert Wilders.

This is the second kamar (Madurodam)

The sea.

People do their feet in the sea. It was cold!!!! I did not. But it was nice to see the sea.

small Zwolle

Madurodam was my favorite! All of Netherlands in one place! Groningen, Zwolle, Utrecht, Schiphol, Amsterdam, Rotterdam. I'm bigger than the buildings there. Nice!


















Many people look at work like for the girl with the pearl. The girl with the pearl is a small work of art so it was hard to see over people. I love the work with the cows! It was great. Artists have a lot of patience and time to create a masterpiece. Wow! Beautiful!

An important work of art

Another important work of art. The girl with the pearl. 

-------

Lord thank you for-allowing me to learn so many new things this semester! Continue to expand my understanding of the world!

#katiespiceurope
#excursions
#dutch

Sister sister!

----------

I have been abroad for 12.5 weeks now and in that time I have experienced a lot and have wished that I could share those experience, share those places with my family, with my sisters, and with my friends. This week served that purpose. My two sisters (Stephanie and Elizabeth), and Alice (a family friend) came to visit me in the Netherlands for one week! Right away Friday morning, I could barely contain my energy and my excitement as I brought one (host) sister (Aniek) to meet my sisters and Alice. Aniek can attest to how excited I was the entire train ride to Schiphol airport! That excitement lasted the whole we as we traveled across the Netherlands.

Sisters can stand for a lot of different things, but in this acronym Sisters is cap stoned in silliness, with just the right mix of reality in the middle.

S Silly smiles. I have a firm belief that sisterhood is rooted in how many silly smiles you can give each other. Maybe it's even possible to have a whole conversation in smiles.

Steph and I

I  Interesting walks, as a result of our family's new best friend - Rick Steves! Narrating our way around cities we were our own tour guides.
**Tip: follow a city walk in the correct order...

Katie, Stephanie, Alice, Elizabeth (L to R)

S  Silly jokes. "Now you've seen two major artworks in their original form, and in the Delft blue!"

T  Talking... or not. This is something so neat about being with people you are comfortable with, and being with people who have seen you through all phases of life. You can talk non stop one day and then the next all you need is head nods.

E  Exploration. Everyday a new city every day, right?

Ignore the drive time.

R  Relax. Despite being away from my blood family for 3 months, I can relax and know that when I do see them that everything is going to be alright. I can take a deep breath and know that even when I feel that the world around me is changing that family will always remain your family.

S  Silly sisters. A picture can speak louder than words...

I think they missed their true calling to be cats!

The week ended the same way it began. Bringing my two families together, I was so excited, so happy, so full of joy! Two groups of people that I love, finally meeting each other and creating one larger group (if only for dinner time).

------

Lord, Thank you for family. Thank you for the opportunity to share experiences with my sisters. Please continue to guide and protect this time that I have left in the Netherlands. 

#katiespiceurope
#family

Excursion #5 - Rotterdam

Rotterdam! A diverse city, which isn't surprising since it is a port city and was the main hub for migration to the new world - Hotel New York!! Additionally, there are 30 mosques and about 250 Christian Churches for a population of just over half a million making it the Netherlands second largest city.

A theme commonly repeated on all of our excursions is that space is everything. These houses are a great example of that. Rather than using the space on the ground the architect decided to use the space in the air. This leaves room for shops, walking paths, a little garden, and bike storage just below the houses.

The most impressing portion of the excursion to Rotterdam was the visit the Turkish Mosque. We drank Turkish tea, discussed the Islamic religion, and saw inside the prayer room. This visit helped me to see past the news and how media portrays Islam. I never realized how clouded my vision could get but the visit helped me to see past the muck that's in the news.

In a typical dutch fashion, our group biked around the city! But I forgot my emergency potato in case of hunger. ;) Thankfully, we had a stop at the Market! All these different food vendors inside one place. The walls even screamed food (not literally, but in the art)!

Lord, you are the one true God! Thank you for sending your son Jesus to save us from our sin. 

#katiespiceurope

Katie interviews Katie

Q and A with Katie

SPICE 2016 group

Are you still alive?
-- Yes

Are you done yet? 
-- No

Are you fluent in Dutch yet? 
-- Nee, Ik spreek Engels. Although I did speak Dutch in my dream the other night... zo, ik spreek Nederlands een beetje

What has been the hardest thing so far? 
-- Not realizing how fast time moves. I mean we are already over halfway! I feel like it was just last week that I was stepping off the plane thinking "Alright... I can work with this... They have peanut butter thats a good sign." Everyone always say that time moves fast, but you don't realize how fast it moves until you reflect, and with SPICE we reflect a lot so its pretty clear how fast time moves.

How have you dealt with homesickness?
-- People interaction!! If I'm alone, I'm left to my own thoughts too much. Getting connected with people here whether that be the SPICE group, my host family, or making new friends at church. But, I am a processor so I also needed to talk things through with people who understand my word salad, so Skype dates are a must for me.

How have you dealt with having everything that is familiar 7 times zones away?
-- It feels so strange to say this but things here feel familiar now. I came back after spring break and realized just how familiar it is to hear dutch in the train station. But, I do miss the familiarity of buying things at and walking around Walmart. Spending Saturday or Sunday grocery shopping at Walmart was familiar and that was part of my weekly routine. Now I make my way around Hema or Jumbo after school and that has become as normal as my Sunday afternoons spent in Walmart

What has been the easiest thing to get used to so far? 
-- Having to do my Dordt homework all online. I spend my Monday's at home finishing almost all my assignments for the week.

What do you wish someone told you about studying abroad?
-- How much it will feel like home. How fast time moves. That you'll hear all this advice before you leave and not actually think its true until you get halfway and then you have your realization moment.

What is your favorite memory? 
-- See Dinner Time (My Study Abroad Recipe) blog post.

What do you still want to do in the next two months? 
-- I want to connect my two families. My sisters are visiting at the end of the month and my mom and dad are visiting at the end of the program. It will be exciting to be able to share this experience first hand with them.
-- I also really want to visit the Scandinavian countries!

Why do you blog? 
-- It's another way for me to process things and to see where things have changed along the way. Also, this way I don't have to overload everyone back at home with 4 hour long summaries of my 4 months abroad when I go home in May.

Has anything changed since you've been here?
-- A lot has changed. I've changed, America has changed, my home has changed. My home church NHLC shut its doors, which was heart breaking for me especially since I could not be there for the last service. Elections are happening so thats a big deal! And, I've changed. I think that I've become more independent. I've traveled all by myself and had to realize just how strong I have to be (to fend off the 80 year old marriage proposals), but I also have had to learn to rely on God more than ever.

Do you follow the news back home? 
-- Did I ever really follow news even when I was home? Lol! I think I follow it more now that I'm across the ocean. It's strange to me, but American news makes it in the Dutch papers and on the TV.

What is your favorite thing about the Dutch culture?
-- Hold the phone! I only get to choose one thing? Hmmm... Well, it's a tie between stroopwafels and Hagel Slag.

What other questions do you have for me?


Lord Jesus, Thank you for this opportunity. Please continue to walk with me and bless my time here in the Netherlands.

#katiespiceurope

On my own but not Alone

Chances are, people you meet when you travel alone will be incredibly interesting people.

Eleven nights on my own (living out of one small backpack), traveling and exploring the southern part of Europe by myself. Some call me adventurous, while others call me crazy. The number one question that I get asked is "Don't you get lonely." My reply... Yes, of course I do because we are creatures meant to be in relationship with other humans. I miss having conversations over meals and sharing a good laugh as we walk away from a bizarre situation. I miss the security of having a buddy when I walk down a sketchy street and having someone to talk to in order to avoid the awkward social exchange with strangers.  

But, was I every truly alone? No, with God by my side I was never alone. When I was feeling lonely there was always something or someone that came my way to give me laughter and give me company. Here are 5 stories from my trip where God provided a good laugh, comfort, and companionship.

(1) Have you ever been hit on by an 80 year old man? Well I have! His name is Aldo. He lives in Genoa, Italy, the city I took a spontaneous day trip to. At first I thought that Aldo was offering to take my picture for me, but instead he wanted to show me the Cathedral. He barely spoke English so our conversation was a lot of famous American Songs that Aldo would hum and I would sing a line or two. Inside the Church, Aldo showed me the bomb that didn't explode. As we talked Aldo would call me "bella donna, bonita!" At one point, he started to hum "here comes the bride." Before, I said my goodbyes we went for the Italian two cheek kiss, but heading towards the second cheek I was staring at Aldo's lips! Don't worry I didn't kiss him, I just called him a sneaky man and walked off with a wave. Ciao!

This is the sneaky Aldo!

(2) Have you ever mistaken a garbage can for something else? Julie did! Julie and Becca are a mother daughter duo visiting Venice the same day I did. I didn't meet them until the end of the day, but our short conversation and company on the long train ride filled me with joy. The day was gloomy, rainy, and tiring. I barely stopped walking except to take a boat ride, eat food, and visit a couple churches. The company of this mother daughter duo reminded me that its the little things that make you smile. For example, all trains come equipped with a trash can, Julie didn't realize this and thought the box was for wet umbrellas. Becca was so embarrassed that her mom put the umbrellas in the trash can, but we all found it comical and had a good laugh for a short time.

(3) Have you ever wanted a butt like a man in an old painting? Not until Milan I didn't. There's nothing like the company of people who you can call your own. Luke, Eliana, Sarah came to visit Milan, where I was their guide for the day. We spent the afternoon laughing at silly jokes, such as how firm the butts of some of the men in paintings are!

(4) Have you ever met an Angel? Well, I met an Angela in Athens. She was a true blessing, dispelling any uncomfortable feelings I had in a new city. Angela is a Taiwanese Business women, who stayed in the same hostel as me. Within 5 minutes of meeting her she invites me to eat with her. Every night in Athens, Angela and I would go out to eat and each night I would learn something more about her life, her business, her travels! This just goes to show that companionship comes in many forms.

First night in Athens with Angela

(5) Have you ever been so excited to talk to a complete stranger? After a 11 days of being on your own, a simple conversation can bring a smile to your face. On the train ride from Thessaloniki to Athens, I was tired, I was anxious, and all I wanted was something familiar. Thats when I met Elias, a 19 year old boy. We came from different places, and had different experiences, but it was the ease of conversation about school, music, and dreams for the future felt familiar. In our short conversation before we each drifted off to sleep, I felt assured that friends can be made at any time and in any place!

----

When you travel by yourself you learn a lot about who you are, what gives you strength, and where your foundation lies. One of the biggest lessons I learned on this trip was to put my full reliance in God. I had to trust that He would light my path and provide for me every step of the way. He provided friends and company to remind me that even when I travel by myself, I am never truly alone. He goes before me and walks right beside me. Never did he leave. Not once.

Matt Redman, Never Once:

"Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we've come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us
...
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did you leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
You are faithful, God, You are faithful"

Father God, your faithfulness continues to amaze me. Thank you for never letting go of my hand and always keeping me in your presence.

#katiespiceurope
#AdventureTime
#SB2k16

My Study Abroad Recipe

Life in the family de Boer. Its an adventure, its an emotional roller coaster. They have been my family for the last 2 months. Wow! I can't believe 2 months (Okay well maybe I'm a few days early or a week too early). They are like most any other family; they breathe, have two legs and eat food because they enjoy it and they need to nourish their bodies. you can tell they are Dutch by the food they eat, the language they speak and the way that they speak. What has stood out to me is their value on eating together. Back in America, I love shared meal times with my roommates or my family on Sunday afternoons (even 7 times zones away, I get to be share a meal with my family via a picture and video call!). At camp, we put an emphasis on shared meal times and eating "family style." Yes, some nights in the de Boer family not everyone is present or the meal feels rushed or it feels chaotic because everyone is up and moving around, but in general we eat together. All meal times are special in the de Boer family, but I have to say that dinner time is usually my favorite because everyone is home (mostly...) and everyone is talking away. One night, we played a game where we went around and said the first word that came to our mind based on the previous person's word. You can get some crazy responses that way. I also enjoy dinner time because we share good food, we share our day, we share emotions. Some nights it seems like every person is just not having it. Some one is yelling, some one is running around, someone is making faces, someone is crying, someone is quiet. But whatever is happening in life the family comes back to one thing: God. A typical dinner ends with a devotion and prayer. Christ truly is the center of this house.

Story time with Katie. So, I read a lot of cook books in my spare time. Yeah, you read that right. I read cook books for fun. Additionally, some of you may know me from my semi-famous cooking show: Cooking Colorfully with Katie. I love to cook, but I haven't taken advantage of the new studio for my show! In keeping with the theme of meals and shared time together with the de Boer family, I have created my own recipe.

Survival Goulash

1 American Student
6 Dutch family members
2 crazy cats

1 cup vulnerability

2/3 cup crazy

7 tablespoons love

1 bouillon of trust
A dash of adventure

Directions:

In a Dutch oven, mix ingredients together. Stir constantly for the first month, ensuring that the American gets a good blending. In the second month stir occasionally giving the American her space to grow. In the 3rd month, let recipe rise. Once, the mixture has risen for 1 month, a sweet fragrance will be present.

The last month... well thats up to you! Decide for yourself what your recipe needs in the last month. Maybe you just sit around a table and enjoy it for all its worth. Small bites with coffee and good conversation. Large ravenous bites to take everything in at one time. How will I end my recipe? Just wait and see!

Trouble shooting your recipe.

• You don't have a Dutch oven... well then you're out of luck try a different recipe. 
• If in the second month the American portion is being stretched too much, an extra tablespoon of love or a dash of social gathering may be needed. 
• If in the second month your mixture isn't looking right you may need to stir more often to encourage the mix to grow before you let it rise. 
• If you notice the mixture dipping in the middle, this is alright! Before the mixture can rise it may need a little time to relax first. 
• If after the 3rd month the fragrance is not sweet make sure that the American is doing her laundry (don't worry mom I do mine!).

So you think your recipe is done... well you're wrong. This recipe will never be complete. It is an organic recipe that will continue to grow, develop, and change. It is made up of living organisms that need to be cared for. This is also a recipe that is not for the lazy chef because it is highly involved and requires attention. Ultimately, cherish every second of it!!


Lord you are a gracious God. Thank you for providing every step of the way.

#katiespiceurope
#hostfamily

Excursion #4 - Utrecht

The fourth excursion for SPICE took us to the city of Utrecht, an hour train ride from Zwolle. One would think that I would get tired of looking at the history around me, and that I would get tired of hearing stories about places that I have never heard about, or that I would get bored with the same scenery. Well, the day that that happens will be the day that I stop learning. I hope never to stop learning. I hope that I will always find at least one thing to brighten my day on the excursions and on my trips.

A guy walks into a bar. He looks around a little confused... walk out double checks that the sign says bar and walks back in. He walks up to the bartender and asks, "do you serve drinks here?" The bartender says, "We serve most anything from Beer on down!" The man says, "Oh good, I almost thought this was a church." The bartender replies, "Good thing you didn't walk in a few decades back!"

True story... Okay, well not really. However, the first stop on our Utrecht excursion was to a bar that used to be an old Catholic hiding church.

-----

A lady, so in tune with the will of the Father that she places her self in a position of humility towards her God for continuous prayer.

----

The Dom Kerk was divided in half. Literally, divided in half due to a large storm that caused part of the building to collapse. The bell tower remains separate from the church. When you enter the gardens of the church you might be a little confused and want to start waving a wand around. I felt transported to the world of Hogwarts for a few minutes.

Three hundred and sixty five steps. Thats right. 365. Up and Up and Up. The Dom tower is the bell tower to the Dom Kerk. This tower is the tallest one in the Netherlands. The view from the top... Well, I'll just say that I'm glad there was a fence!

----

A tradition for our excursions is to sit, warm up, and drink something (koffie, thee, etc). This café, was built on top of and in the old Roman sector of the city. The basement still holds two Roman pillars. Talk about history!

----

The Rietveld Schröder House: Imagine a house that could change. Walls can move, windows can become walls, beds are couches, the ceiling opens up to let in light. And then change it all back. Rietveld was a man ahead of his time. A modern building in the midst of traditional Dutch construction, yet it holds true to the Dutch belief that space is everything.

The City of Utrecht from the Dom Tower

---------------

Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on us sinners. 

#katiespiceurope
#Utrecht

42 thoughts on 42 hours Berlin, Germany

42 hours that is all it took for me to fall in love Germany (well, Berlin because thats all we saw, but you get my point). So, what better way to express my adventures in Berlin than 42 thoughts on my 42 hours. Some points are short, some are long. Some are pros, some are cons. Some you'll read, and most you'll gloss over. But, all explain my 42 hours traversing Berlin - 1 girl and 2 guys!

1. Public Transportation day pass cost €7. Use on tram, subway, and buses. 
2. Public Transportation exact change is preferred otherwise you hold up the entire bus.
3. Reichstag Building. A perfect spot to take pictures of other people taking pictures.
4. There is always a lot of people around the Brandenburg Gate, but if you can place yourself just right you can see the Victory Column through the middle of the gate. #PicturePerfect
5. The Victory Column marked a victory of war and also suffered the effects of a different war. 
6. Climb the 294 stairs to the top of the Victory Column for €3.
7. Five main streets form rays of a sun around the roundabout surrounding the Victory column
8. I would feel safe as a single girl walking around, but this trip I was with 2 guys (my body guards as my host family labeled them). 
9. Food! Let's just say Germans have good taste! Sauerkraut, Goulash, Spätzle. 
10. Food part two: Schnitzel! A must-have if you visit Germany. 
11. Berlin Central Station is huge! Know which platform your train leaves from beforehand. 
12. Soviet Memorial, the memorial is in Russian, but there is a portion behind it that has Russian, German, and English. 
13. Street Artists: People juggle in the middle of the road on a red light! What!?
14. Street artists part two: There was a bear (well a man in a bear suit), and a man playing a music box.
15. Credit cards are accepted at most every place except small cafes and restaurants. 
16. Pedestrian buttons: Don't be fooled if the button doesn't depress because in Berlin the "buttons" are sensors.
17. Postcard stamps €0,90
18. T-Mobile Thank You for International Coverage!
19. So many cars! 
20. Be prepared to be jostled in the buses. 
21. One day it's Sunny the next it's snowing! (Reminds me of home)
22. Directions - figure out which direction you are facing and match that up with the map before you start walking. I should have learned this from NYC, yet I still start walking and then realize two blocks later I am going the wrong direction. 
23. You can't see everything. No matter how much you plan, and how much you walk, and how late you stay up. You cannot see everything. Even if you live in an area for 42 years you will never see everything. 
24. I don't look German so most people spoke English to me. 
25. Trash cans are orange. Do not mistake them for post boxes (Post boxes in the Netherlands are orange).
26. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe features 2,711 stelae reinforcing the enormity of this horrific event in history. 
27. It's perfectly okay to play tourist for a day! Just make sure that you find at least one "off the beaten path" place on your trip. 
28. Topography of Terror Museum is Free!
29. German History Museum. Students €4 with ID. 
30. Checkpoint Charlie: 1 of 3 checkpoints along the Berlin Wall. 
31. Berlin Wall. There are pieces all over the city, with graffiti on them. Most famous spots are at Checkpoint Charlie and Topography of Terror Museum. 
32. Beer! My first dark beer since I've been abroad. A true German Beer, now that is the way to go!
33. Coffee shops. Don't worry, in Germany, coffee is not synonymous for pot. 
34. Travel buddies. They make life interesting. You learn a lot about them, especially if you share a room for two nights and spend 54 consecutive hours with them. You learn that one blow dries his hair and the other gets hangry pretty fast. 
35. Hostels are nice if you're on a budget, but if you have some wiggle room go for an apartment or an Air BnB, you won't be disappointed. 
36. When in Europe travel by train. It might take a longer time, but you get fantastic views of different cities, and of the landscape. 
37. Train travel part two: Don't worry about reservations on Bahn (German trains)
38. Walking. Most everything can be reached by walking so be prepared to walk a lot.
39. Good walking shoes. Even if you are planning on only using public transportation, the small distances you'll be walking you will most likely encounter uneven ground. (i.e. brick walk ways). Have a good pair of sturdy shoes because your feet will thank you.
40. I always pack too much!
41. Mail boxes - YELLOW! Need I say more?

Leaving Berlin Hbf

Lord, Thank you for your protection and guidance. May I follow your ways the rest of my days.

#katiespiceurope

#AdventureTime

Exursion #3 - Groningen

Another day ... another Dutch city.
A tour of Groningen in verse.

Take a picture here.
Walk a little more.
Take another picture there.

Almost trip on brick walkways.
Almost get run over by bikers.
Almost get mistaken for being Dutch.

History.
History.
History.

At the strike of noon
Hear church bells at every corner
Wonder how old that church must be?

Ding
dong
Ding

History.
History.
History.

Climb up
Circle around

Who knew I was an artist?

Almost fall down

Phew, nearly missed that 1000 ft drop
Never thought I'd say that in a flat country
Or see an underwater museum

History.
History.
History.

Brrr.. it's cold
Drinken koffie en thee
Lekker!

Wow!
Leuk!
Wat is dat?

History.
History.
History.

Art in the form of clothes
Art in the form of paintings
Art in the form of furniture

Modernism
Postmodernism
Today!

-------

While in Groningen, we saw and learned many things. Groningen like many Dutch towns/cities was birthed out of history. Mainly a farming community, Groningen developed into a land that was home to the Jewish culture. The pain of WWII can still be seen as memorial stones mark homes of Jewish families. The architecture of the Netherlands is very similar from city to city, using all the space they had access to (and then creating more by reclaiming the sea). We were able to tour inside a 13th century church on this excursion, and I mean inside the church. We climbed up one of the hallowed out pillars to experience the architecture first hand. Situated as an Island, the Groningen city center can only be reached by bridges crossing over the circular canal. The Groninger museum, is built in the canal itself. It is a modern museum that museum goers can experience art not only through the pictures on the wall but also in the architecture of the building.  Whats more is that museum goers can even create a little art themselves in a hands hand portion of the museum. As the country I come from continues to grow into a modern nation, I have come to appreciate the pieces of history that the Netherlands continues to preserve and incorporate in both old and new ways.

Father God, you are the author of salvation. The author of history itself.

#katiespiceurope
#history

Excusion #2 - Amsterdam

5 Germans 1 American impaled by Crazy Dutch Drivers

Thus reads the headlines of yesterday's adventure... or maybe the headlines read:

Insta-overload: 23 photos same canal

The second may more accurately describe our second excursion with SPICE. While we were all a little trigger happy with our cameras, we also learned a lot about the city of Amsterdam. 

Need more exercise? Join SPICE! Fast-walking Amsterdam Feb 2, 2016!

Right out of the gate, we start walking although maybe not the speed of professional speed walkers, but enough to make me want to keep near the front so I don't get left behind. Because let me tell you that those Amsterdam divers are crazier than NYC! Watch out for the trams too! Oh, and the bikers! And don't forget the pigeons. 

Our excursion included a canal boat tour, a city walk guided by our professor, self-guided tour of the Rijksmuseum, and a visit to the Anne Frank house. 

1 girl inspires millions

The story of Anne Frank is familiar to many; if not then google it, or better yet read her book. I've visited the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C. and I've read and learned about Anne Frank since I was in Elementary School. Therefore, this was a perfect learning experience to put a story with the actual place it occurred. The museum was empty and the atmosphere dark and solemn. One of my classmates said it the best: Even though Anne and her family were technically "free" (not in a concentration camp), they were bound by rules an routine and were in captivity and a prison of sorts. Because the family needed to stay silent all day long, and couldn't go outside or even look outside, their secret annex was their prison. 

Sex, Drugs, Water

When asked what three words would describe Amsterdam a friend said sex, drugs, water. As you walk you don't realize that you have entered the Red Light District. You see something move in the window and you look over to see... Well, I'll just leave it at that. On nearly every street corner there are coffeeshops (aka pot shops). With nearly 100 km of canals in Amsterdam and 1500 bridges, I think it is safe to say that there is a lot of water. 

23 ... 6 ... 5 ... 4 ... 1

Our group! 5 Germans 1 American

We started our excursion with all 23 members of SPICE. Six of us stayed on for more adventure (The Paper Kites concert). We found good food and great sites amongst our budding friendship. I feel so blessed to have gotten to know the five German girls of the SPICE group. Their friendship is a true blessing. As the morning went on, our group of 6 turned to 5 as Rachel went home. And then later we moved to 4 as Carina also left. Our little group of 4 found gorgeous sites in the Centrum and the Jordan. I think I found a perfect Instagram post on this trip, and it was even more special because it was shared with good friends. And then there was 1. Our first adventure complete. On my bike ride back to my host home, I kept thinking was "Boy, I'm glad my bike didn't get stolen!"

Lord Jesus Christ, Thank you for your continual protection and guidance. Thank you for friends and this beautiful country. Your glory shines through even in the darkest of spots.

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

------

See any similarities?

#katiespiceurope
#family

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

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