Netherlands: Day 21 and 22
Day 21
Today it rained and rained and rained. It’s the kind of day that makes you sleepy. Wishing you were in your comfiest clothes, snuggled up in some blankets and watching a movie.
Today I had dim sum for lunch, and a cheese krokett. It was almost of a way of making it up to myself that I am in an office, transcribing interviews during this kind of weather. Lunch was good but the dim sum reminded me of home and the dim sum place downtown.
It’s a sentimental kind of day.
When we went home I changed into fuzzy sweatpants and a sweater and watched Hannibal while it rained outside. It was actually a really nice evening.
Day 22
Friday again :)
The office is always weirdly quiet on Fridays. Today it was even more empty because almost everyone on our floor is on summer holidays. We only had one interview to do today and then we were freee! We grabbed a quick lunch at the cafeteria and hurried home to gather our things before heading to the train station.
We walked to the station and hopped on the train to the city of Gouda (actually pronounced like How-da). I'd heard from my dad that it was a cute little city, so we decided to check it out.
When we arrived we found the first starbucks I've seen this whole trip. It was kind of like a food truck configuration, but stationary. We went over and bought drinks, because of course we did, and talked with the baristas. They were super friendly and asked about our trip and about home.
After starbucks, it was time to explore! We spent a good 2 hours walking around. We found what I think was an old church with a clock on it that does a little automated puppet show when it chimes every hour. Not gonna lie, that reminded me of the one from Shrek. It was a very nice little town. Every one had plants on their windowsills and bikes by their door. We also found a cat blending in with the wooden bench it was sitting on. I've got tons and tons of photos but sadly, they've got to be developed first. Subscribe to my email list here to be updated when I post them :^)
After a few hours in Gouda, we got back on the train and headed back to Utrecht. Annie wanted to go home so I decided to go look for an art gallery I'd seen on a list of places to go. I think I used up half a roll of film on the way there, and I never quite made it to the gallery. i got sidetracked when I came across one of the other places on the list; All The Luck In The World. It's an adorable little boutique filled with all kinds of beautiful, delicate jewellery, coin purses and items for your home. I ended up buying myself a gorgeous, little locket to commemorate the trip.
The locket is gold on the back and a really lovely peach colour on the front. It's also got a little gold-coloured charm on right beside the locket. I'm not sure I'll be able to make a photo small enough to fit in it, but here's hoping. At the boutique I also some something very cute for each of my sisters. I can't say what it is in case they read this but I liked them so much I almost bought one for me ;)
After shopping I went home and dragged Annie out for supper. We found a nice place in the city centre and ordered a lot of bread. Worth it. (We did get actual supper too, don't worry). On the way home we stopped at Pistachio and I got 3 scoops of, you guessed it, pistachio ice cream. The guy behind the counter didn't seem to believe me when I said I wanted three scoops. The conversation went a little like:
Me: "Can I get 3 scoops of pistachio?"
Him: "2 scoops?"
Me: "3 please"
Him: *raising an eyebrow* "So.... 2 scoops of pistachio?" *holds up 2 fingers*
Me: "No, 3" *holds up 3 fingers*
Him: "All 3 pistachio?"
Me: "YEs."
It was all good though. I got my ice cream and he was a really funny guy who arguably knew more about the Canadian provinces than we did. Just know, I take ice cream very seriously🍦
And that was it! See you soon.
- Tiana Daniella
