SPRING TIME IN DUTCHLAND

Hey babes! How's it going? I feel like the last time I posted I was a bit negative. Guess what? There was sun for 2 days I feel like a new person. 

Last Friday was party boom boom. I don't have any pictures, but went to Noord (over the IJ river) and meet up with Tuuni, Dom and the gang in Skate cafe. It's a really cool spot, like a club/bar/restaurant and drank a few vodka sodas. We had planned months before to go to this specific party called Kraft und Licht. Was 10/10, not too crowded, great trance/acid and danced until 6 am :) And felt pretty fine the next day?? Saturday we went for a bike with Mark in the city, tried to find a bench in Vondel park which was almost mission impossible because everyone was enjoying the nice day. Then we went for a beer, which was really a "hair of the dog" kind of drink, but it sat well.  Then we order pizza and watched the last of Griselda. Also impressed by Sofia Vergara? 

Sunday was here, and I looked like this :) 

We wanted to go out of town for some excursion, so decided to hop on the train and go see Utrecht.

Me again.

Our hoodz

Utrecht!! Antonia told me this canal used to be a car road like 15 years ago?? Thank god they came to their senses. The city has a very cozy vibe, though aloooot of people out on this particular day. But very nice to be able to sit directly by the water. This is deffo missing in Amsterdam.

Looking a bit like a thumb? 👍

Ate nice fries :) 

And that was the weekend - I would say I managed to maximize it to the fullest!! 

Yesterday was Monday, which is not that exciting (ever?) but worked and went for a run. 

We decided to try out all the ramen places in Amsterdam as we have come to the conclusion is a big favourite for us both with ms. Nyman. Today we tried Fou Fouw Ramen. It was the best so far. I struggle to find a ramen with a mix of creamy, yet spicy peanutty broth but this one was definitely hitting the spot. 

After we went to a speak easy because why not xD had a mezcal cocktail. Also very nice. 

Hope you have a great rest of the week! 

Also big recommend, watch the Curse with Emma Stone made by A24. A good mix of cringe humor, worst case scenarios and bad relationships. 

BYEBYE

HELLO STRANGERS

Hey fans and friends! It's been a while, I KNOW. 

Where to begin? This place kind of died out, like a lot of things I try to keep alive - such as plants and sober months :) 

Since we last spoke, I've been at my new job for 7 months - and over 8 months in Amsterdam. I think I've entered the stage of things feeling quite normal and a little dull? I feel like I was planning and fighting for where I am currently, that once I've reached it, I no longer have anything to strive for. Though that might sound a bit sad, I am quite content where I am currently. 

My new year's resolution was to not take things so seriously this year. Last year was about big changes and making decisions. Now I just want to enjoy?? Sometimes it's a bit difficult, with my brain telling me to find the next thing. 

Anyways, we had two lovelies visiting us - had a great time. Went to the beach and saw Den Haag. Drank many beers. Ate great things. 

If you ever want to hear the plot of a movie, just ask Ishan. Trust me. 

Had a nice pizza. 

Let's go to the beach beach. 

One morning Mark made us some poached salmon sandwiches with hollandaise. Very proud that I have converted him to an egg-eating person. Also hate him a bit for being able to poach an egg on the second try perfectly. 

10 min from us there is a lake. Saw some seniors take a nude dip in there. We weren't as brave, so we just creeped on the dock. Maybe in the summer, but I am not famous for my love of cold water. 

Every last Sunday there is a big ass flea market in Noord.  Biggest in Europe somone even said?? We went there without cash, no bag and with a bike with no holder. LOSERS!! 

At this hour my body craves some sunshine and holidays. One things to be said, and is that the rain is no joke in this country.  

I wont make promises to keep this place up, but let's see  ;) 

LONG TIME NO SEE PEOPLE

 Hey! Before you say anything, I KNOW - shame on me for neglecting the blog. Scusi. 

I travelled back to Budapest for Ozora, but also had the time to meet some cuties.

Sorry Ish for not being in the pic </3 Here is one of you:

Ozora came and went, it was magical as expected - met new people, danced, cooked nice foods and just hanged out without any internet. Next year, see you there!!

Our great idea was to drive back up after a 6-day festival to Amsterdam - how did noone question that this is a dumb as hell idea?? Well anyway, we realized that and took the Wizzair to Eindhoven back instead.

But before that, we went for brekkie to Mark's grandmother, who is the absolute cutest person in this whole world. 

Back in Amsterdam. At this point the place was still a mess, but here you can see our dining table, which we found on Marketplace! It's so rewarding to find second-hand treasures. Getting my kicks that way these days xD

 I'm fascinated by this house, which is on the other side of our canal. Just have to get courage to knock on the door and ask for a tour hehe. 

Very idyllic surroundings. 

Me hihihi

My lord, I apologize for the uninteresting pictures hahaha here is my very crazy lunch.

So what's new? To be honest, it's been very hectic with every day fixing stuff around the house, but we've also been able to go out and meet people, which is nice. I have to be better at taking pictures of the actually interesting things we do. 

We planned a beach day, and then it turned out to be very windy and cloudy. NO RAGRETS, I wanted to see the seaside. Still does not click in my brain that the beach is only 45 min from our home? I love it.

 

Its my 2nd last week at work, and then I have 1 week of unemployment, after which I am finally starting my new job! I am really excited. And, the second day of my new job, we will go on an outing with the whole company for 3 days to Belgium. An intense way to meet the team, but what's better than diving right in xD

Amsterdam is sunny, warm and welcoming <3 Can't wait to host all of you here soon.

Moving day and other events

Dear readers!

Hope you are doing well and enjoying the warm weather in literally everywhere else in Europe except the Netherlands.  Not bitter. 

On Thursday after work we decided to explore a bit of the tourist side of Amsterdam. Went to the red-light district and so on. Verdict: Way too many people, can't even walk properly, but for sure cool to see in the nighttime with the lights.  

So we got a flat! Last Friday we got the keys, and on Saturday it was a big day. We rented a van, and drive around Amsterdam and outside to pick up some furniture that we found from market place. 

OUR FLAT! 

I'm beyond excited to start making it our home ❤️ I especially love the back of the flat, where our bedroom is that leads out to our balcony. 

This is 20 meters from our flat <3

On Friday, after we got the keys, we went to the cinema to see Oppenheimer. Was good, I usually find biopics a bit lengthy, but I did like this one + Florence Pough is amazing as always. The snack section in the cinema gets 10/10.

After we went to a cozy Belgian beer bar to drink some - yes you guessed it - beers.

Saturday was the day we rented a van. We couldn't find any closer to the city, so we had to go a place beyond Schipol.  I have to say Mark is a natural born van driver.

When the mood was still good until the hangriness kicked it. 

Bought this cool lamp. 

With our new sofa after some needed McDonalds xD 

We were pretty beat after a long day, but decided to still go out for some Saturday night beers. Biked home in a crazy rain. Rain pants are needed asap. 

Sunday we went to have some kibbeling. For those who don't know it is basically fried fish. Loved it.  We walked around, had some coffee and Mark wanted to buy churros, but one mug was 13 euros LOL. 

Afterward, we biked to our new flat to measure stuff. Today I made a big ass Ikea order, so when we come back from Ozora we will have a fully functioning kitchen. 

Today there was 30 min of sun, so I went on the baclony to enjoy it until it got cloudy again. I know I shouldn't complain about the weather, in the end I decided to move to country that is known for its shitty weather but bare with me hehe. 

Love you babes 

2ND WEEK IN DUTCHLAND

 Hey lovelies! It's me again, your favorite blogger, Sara! 

It's the 2nd full week in the land of herring. It's been quite the week.

Monday we met our new landlords. We had a very skeptic attitude before our planned date, but the second we met the owners, the suspicion vanished. They are a Dutch couple, closing in on their 50s - very kind and smart, the kind of people you look at and think that if I am even close to this in my late 40s I did something right in my life.  

On Tuesday, I met up with Tuuni for some ramen in Jordaan. The ramen was good (could be a bit spicier - the story of my life) but the company was better <3 After we went for some vino to a corner bar and talked about lyfe.

Amsterdam really is so pretty?? 

Meanwhile this whole week has been about finding furniture on marketplace to fill up our flat!! Bought a bed frame and mattress, which means I am officially poor. Donations can be sent to my Wise or Revolut. The Wickström-Katona foundation thanks you for your contribution.

If the agency would hurry a little bit, I could show you some pictures, so you still have to wait a bit. 

The flat is located in Stadionbuurt! There is a canal 20 meters from our door. Can't wait.

Next week we are flying back to the crime scene aka Budapest, so if you read my blog and want to meet me, Saturday 29th is the time ;)))

 

Lately in AMSTERDAMZZ

 Hey peeps!

On Wednesday, we decided to just take it easy peasy at home. To be honest, my brain has been on some must-fix-everything-find-a-flat-explore-the-city mode so, it was great to just have a chill day. 

My lunches are usually take away meals from Albert Heijn, which I really don't mind because they are surprisingly nice and not too pricey! Paid for this 5,5? 

Me myself and I xD

Oh, minor detail! WE GOT A FLAT!!! More on that in a later blog post... ;) *Insert cliff-hanger*
So we are already searching all marketplaces for stuff, as it will be an unfurnished one, which is great because alot of flats have veeery questionable furniture. Bad thing is we need EVERYTHING. 

We are meeting the owners tomorrow (in a bar, at 9pm - can only mean that they are either supercool or I should be worried).

On Thursday, I went for another flat viewing (this was before we got the flat) which was in the Museum quarters. Amazing old money neighbourhood and the real estate agent was like a Dutch Michael Caine (<3) In the end, we didnt even offer because the rent was a bit too much. 

I also went to my new office to take pictures to their website! I met some new people - I am so stoked to start! To be honest, I feel like I could start tomorrow. I think the fact that I am still doing my old job, yet moved to a new country, is somehow fucking with my brain a bit. It's like I am half in Budapest and half here. 

In the evening, we took the bus to Antonia/Dom palace in Haarlem. Finally, I got to see their amazing apartment. We had some delicious food and fun times. 

I am especially jealous of their terrace!! 

On Friday, I had another viewing. By this point, the real estate agents are reoccurring characters in my life. The location was great, and we made an offer but got rejected. 

The thing here is that you need to overbid on flats - the agent told us that once a flat that was 2000 euros monthly, someone overbid it for 2600 monthly 🤪🤪🤪 Kinda hard to compete with that kind of money. 

Also very proud of Mark who survived his first workweek!!! He promised he will appear as a guest writer soon so you can hear his side of the story hehe.

I'm sick since yesterday :( Little fever and some weird stomach pain. I really hope it goes over soon.
 
Anyways!! There are plenty of weekends in Amsterdam still...

Day 4: House viewings, run around the Amstel and Vondel Park

 Hej again!

Last update and I should be all caught up xD

We woke up around 7:30, as Mark is going to work already. I decided to also wake up the same time so that I start my day with him. 

Went for a run around the Amstel - was really warm and I was red like tomato, but the run was great!!

Just a regular view during my run? So cute!

Then I came home and worked, and went to 2 viewings. The first one was good, but a bit pricey and only 12-month contract, which means we would need to do this hell again in like 10 months. No thanks. 

The second one was great! In De Pijp, two bedrooms, balcony. Only thing is the parking permit waiting time. We made an offer for this one. 

Me and the agent. Fun fact, we rejected a flat we already got from her because there was no oven xD 

After work, I met up with Geri, Mark and Hajar in the park.

Was nice and sunny, but when we said goodbye a huge rain attacked us. We had to take shelter under a bridge. I guess I should get used to these random rains at any time. 

We came home and ate burritos, and watched Better Call Saul - that was our 4th day in Amsterdam!