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!

Day 3: New home, new job and beers by the river

Hey gang!!

As mentioned, on Monday we moved into our new temporary home! It's bright, spacious and lovely. We can live here for free, if we water the plants - pretty sweet deal, though now I have nightmares of killing their tomatoes xD

Took a Bolt to the house with 8 bags :) Thankfully Maite was helping we bring up everything, as Mark was on his way to the new job. 

Love this flat!! Also, the area, Rivierenburt, is residential, yet close to everything. I can run to the Amstel river in 5 minutes!

Me working xD

The family grows strawberries and tomatoes on the balcony, very wholesome. If we get a flat with a balcony, I definitely want to have a little garden  - or atleast some basil plant.

How amazing that they sell Salmari?? If I feel like getting drunk Suomi style, I know where to find this. Also kudos for the noice design. 

After Mark came back from his first day (I felt like a house mom waiting for her child to come home after the first day of school xD) we went to meet up with Maitof (Maite + Kristof) and took bikes to the Amstel River. 

🔥

The weather was perfect, late summer evening vibes, so many people sitting and drinking. Saw so many cool house boats around the area - not sure how one can find one to live in, but would be goals. 

We biked home, and we were both exhausted, fell asleep like logs in our new (interim) home. 

Kisses!

Day 2: Brunch, Antonia and big rain✨

 Hey darlings. 

My plan to update everyday did not succeed hehe so here it comes a little bit later. 

On the second day of our new life in Amsterdam, we woke up after a very restless night. I guess my mind was going places.  I remember waking up screaming that someone is in the room? Normal.

Anyways, this day we met up with the one and only ANTONIA NYMAN ❤️ So amazing to have an old friend close by? Feels safe.

We got a genious Amsterdam starter kit from her which included: bike lights, a local beer, umbrella and stroop waffel etc. Was very happy.

We went for yummy brunch in De Pijp. My dish was called Frida's twisted scrambled romance 😈 

After we were done eating, we walked to Vondel Park and had some fröccs Hungarian style. There was a lot of people, but suddenly the park started emptying - a huge rain was incoming. We decided to be pro-active and walk home before we would get soaked. 

The last 200 meters the rain got to us, but luckily we were really close to home. 

After the rain, we hugged Tuuni goodbye and went to Albert Heijn aka the best food store to buy some dinner. 

Why did I use flash here? Boomer. We watched the new Wham! documentary - can recommend to all MuSiC lOvErZ.  Then Maite and Kristof came home from their trip to Milan, so we chatted a bit but went to bed in time, as next day we would move into our temporary home and Markito would start his new job.

The big day

 Hey peeps!

Yesterday we cleaned out the last stuff from our flat and kissed it goodbye. Thankfully it's not a forever goodbye, otherwise my heart would not be able to take it. We still have many important things we want to keep and take with us at some point - such as our fridge magnets and toaster. 

After a cozy lunch at the Katona residence, we got a lift to the airport and started our journey to Vienna. Had a beer at the airport, Mark had the worst Burger King service, so I would say it was a classic Ferihegy experience. 

Had a 3 hour layover in the Austrian capital. Very uneventful, except for this magnificent Jägermaister picture machine :)

Arrived to the Hacquin-Somfai palace around 11 and we were both very exhausted. Not only because of all the feelz with the move, but also the 30 celsius tropical heat that Amsterdam is serving.

Still can't comprehend the actual thing that happening, that we are now living in a new city?? Insane. 

Anyways, I will update you on the 2nd day very soon....