The Netherlands

Pushing the pause button on life and routine

I took a solo trip abroad to Amsterdam for two weeks to step outside of my life for a bit.

I think I felt I had something to prove... to show myself that if I wanted to do something I could make it happen. It was also a good lesson in being “open to the mystery” (something an old therapist once told me I should try). Not everything went smoothly – but I could face the challenges and survive them. I could feed myself in a foreign country. I could navigate to a bed to sleep in. Without GPS!

Okay so it wasn’t like I was hacking my way through the rainforest. Amsterdam is really easy to exist in for someone like me to visit. I only met one person who didn’t speak English. Still, I definitely think it helped build my self confidence.

Here are some photos and sketches from my trip:

Haarlem

Gruter – a restaurant recommended by Rick Steves that I visited – twice

I stayed in Haarlem for seven days (a town about 30 minutes from Amsterdam). I splurged on a beautiful apartment for three nights complete with a bathtub and balcony with a view of St. Bavo church. I then spent six nights in a hostel in Amsterdam. Biking stoned through the red light district during rush hour is a thrill I will not soon forget.

My balcony with the view of St. Bavo church – perfect place for sketching.

Amsterdam, the red light district, and my hostel which used to be a school. I stayed on the fourth floor with nine other people.

I took a tram, a train and bus to spend the night in a small town called Otterlo. I wanted to visit a museum nearby called the KRÖLLER-MÜLLER that exists within a national park. It has the second largest (private) collection of Van Gogh art plus an outdoor sculpture garden. This is so dutch: the park offers visitors free bikes. Basically the entire country is flat – and some of it is even below sea level.

The free bikes offered in the Hoge Veluwe national park

Kröller-Müller Museum

Hortus Botanicus gardens in Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum

As far as my Graphic Design career is concerned, I am still looking for my next full-time opportunity. I’ve learned to detach myself a bit from my job title – as in, I no longer feel that my job defines who I am as a person. Doesn’t this sound healthier? I think so. Graphic design pays the bills and I still believe that my design skills inform my art practice and vice versa. I’m looking for a company that shares my values.

There’s so much more I want to share and talk about but I’ll save it for the next newsletter :o) Have a beautiful week and a wonderful holiday (if you observe it) with friends and family.

Adorable small towns north of Amsterdam: Edam, Marken and Volendam

Currently reading:

• Where the Crawdads Sing

Currently watching:

• White Lotus (season 2)

• Abbott Elementary

Currently listening to:

• I discovered this band called Rubblebucket – they have a new album out called Earth Worship. This song slaps

• I got back into some Kurt Vile tunes. Specifically these three songs:

  • Rollin’ with the Flow

  • Speed of the Sounds of Loneliness

  • One Trick Ponies

Upcoming events:

• Stay tuned!