Dear IND, ...

Dear IND, 

But is it raining or is it a beautiful sunny day?

I’m not sure if the weather is sure how it's feeling today. 

Well, do as the Dutch do and always carry a rain suit or an umbrella!

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

Today I learned that animals in this country make different sounds than animals in America.

In the Netherlands, cows say  “boo”.  In America, that’s what ghosts say (just saying).

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND, 

Today we went out for dinner. I tried to speak in Dutch. I wanted to ask for a spoon. 

That didn't quite go as planned and I asked for a nipple instead. It's a common mistake. 

The waiter was very confused to say the least... and I was quite embarrassed to say the least. 

Maybe I'll practice a bit more before we go out again. 

Am I integrated yet? 

Signed, 

Dear IND,

Today I learned that a coffee shop actually doesn’t sell coffee. They sell weed. In order to get coffee, I have to go to a cafe. 

Lesson learned.

Coffee Shop ≠ Cafe in the Netherlands.

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

When you race to Albert Heijn at 21:50 to make sure you put money on your tram card because it is supposed to pour outside...

Only to find out that due to a festival, your tram no longer runs anywhere close to where you live and you’re going to have to bike even if it’s raining...Thanks GVB.

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

Today I learned about what barbecuing really is...a gezellig time in VondelPark with some great colleagues/friends.

Americans ain’t got nothin’ on the Dutch.

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

This though...

"I love the Dutch verb 'heten' ("to be called") because to me, an anglophone, it sounds like people talking about whom they hate.

Beatrix: Ik heet Beatrix. Hoe heet jij? (my translation: I hate Beatrice. Who do you hate?)

Ilse: Ik heet Ilse.

Beatrix: Oh yeah, I hate her too."

Learning to relearn words that sound like words in your native language but mean something so completely different...

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

After yesterday’s tumble with PostNL, they tried to come to the rescue on twitter.

Thank you for telling me where I asked the package to be sent after you failed to deliver it while I waited at home all day. I was able to pick it up today.

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

Today I sat and waited in my apartment the whole day for PostNL to bring me a package between 12:00 and 17:00. 

14:30 rolled around and I checked MijnPakket... and the delivery time was changed to the next day. The bell never rang. Are you kidding me?

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

When your neighbors think it’s appropriate to loudly drill into their wall for long periods of time... starting around ten in the evening...

Seriously? Hou op!

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

And here I though it was fall already...

But today it was back to summer! Time for a swim in the canals! Thanks weather gods!

Am I integrated yet?

Signed, 

Dear IND,

Today I had to run some errands in the city. I did not realize it was Gay Pride today. 

Needless to say, I got no where fast, but it was a hell of a time! Happy Pride!

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

Since I had trouble finding my bike in Dam Square last week, I took some inspiration from this bike

to upgrade my own.  Now I have a nice and new bright paint job, some cool side bags, a giant bell, and of course, who could forget all of the lovely fake flowers laced throughout.

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

Today I learned about the magical Dutch drink that is verse munt thee (fresh mint tea). 

If you’re not ordering coffee, you better be ordering this.

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

Today I learned that you can purchase an unlimited movie pass for the price of going to the movies twice in the month. Obviously I enrolled.

Why has American not capitalized on such a thing?

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

Today I learned that if you don’t own an espresso machine, or at the very least, a Nespresso machine, you shouldn’t live in this country,

Nederlanders love their koffie.

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,

Dear IND,

Today I learned that when a serious storm is going to happen, I should still ride my bike because due to the severity of the storm, probably all the trams and trains and anything in terms of public transit will be down and I will have to walk home anyways.

Now I understand why the true Dutchies always bike; snow, rain, wind or sunshine.

Am I integrated yet?

Signed,