Sinterklaas!

Today is Sinterklaas (or St. Nicholas Day), this is the day that is celebrated primarily as Christmas here in the Netherlands, it is a very different celebration than our's in the U.S.

Sinterklaas arrived by ship from Spain a few weeks ago, which was then followed by a parade, and since them Sinterklaas and his friends Black Peter have been walking around dutch cities greeting people, asking kids what they want for Sinterklaas, giving you a little kick if you're bad, and of course- hitting the clubs on the weekends :)

Its a fun celebration, and me and some friends watched as his boat pulled into the harbour, surrounded by Black Peters, and thousands of other viewers around us. Through out the time Sinterklaas arrives up until the 5th of December dutch childrem leave their shoes by the fireplace with drawings, snacks, etc. for Sinterklaas, his white horse, and for black Peter with hopes that their shoes will be filled with sweets and presents...

happy thanksgiving

A bit late with my thanksgiving post, but my computer is broken so I've been jumping around borrowing friends' computers, and I've finally been able to upload a few photos (mostly of food) :)

It was an AMAZING thanksgiving! The friend RoAnne is also American, so her and I rounded up all of out non-american friends to celebrate our holiday :) 10 of us in all we had a big feast and shared all of the things we are thankful for. We couldn't arrange a turkey here in the Netherlands, but we roasted 2 chickens instead...

I literally have hundreds of things to be thankful for this year, but here are the mains:

-My amazing family and friends back home who have supported me through everything.

-The chance to take this life-changing trip around Europe.

-My great new friends here in Holland (and others around Europe) who have really made my trip what its been, and have shared so many experiences with me.

-Finding a beautiful girlfriend here to share my time with, and who puts up with my dorky-ness.

-Especially my friend RoAnne who has let me stay with her for much longer than expected.

-And this great planet for all it has to offer!

Definitely a thanksgiving to remember, and a trip to remember :)

(The Aftermath)

Wiesn aka Oktoberfest!

I have never seen such an amazing event as Oktoberfest (or Wiesn as its called in Germany)...

14 beer "tents" (actually huge buildings), rollercoasters, great food, masses of beer, loud music, and over 6 million new friends- it truely was outstanding. Everyone sings and dances on the tables and benches, you make friends with everyone around you, people are dressed in traditional Lederhosen for the men, and Dirndl's for the women. And you cheers every ten minutes :)

PLUS I got the special treat of this year being the celebrations 200th anniversary! This year Wiesn was bigger, better, and longer than ever.

Such a great time..
PROAST! (cheers)

München

WOW...

I'm in love with Munich, Germany.

The city is amazing, a lot of people, big- but not too big. Nice people, Bavarian culture, music, and food. In the center of the city there is a HUGE 'English Garden' where people walk/run, play games, eat, drink, swim in the river/lay on the beach, swim in the big canal network, even go surfing! In the canal out from under a bridge the water makes one big, continuous wave- which is filled with surfers taking their turn to jump on.

The city itself is really beautiful with nice buildings, and really takes care of itself; I even saw one building that they were renovating so they covered the whole front of it with this big canvas picture of what the building looks like, so you dont have to see the construction!

Beautiful city, people, fun times, and of course... OKTOBERFEST

Cheers