Hanging out in Amsterdam

This past Tuesday, our whole SPICE class went to Amsterdam to experience Dutch culture, society, art and architecture.

We left early from the train station and almost two hours later stepped off onto the Amsterdam Centraal station platform.

Experiencing even an larger city than Utrecht was interesting, seeing how people live and work in the city was even more intriguing.

Here is some shots of things I saw in the city...

Utrecht

My day trip to Utrecht wasn't exactly planned...we got on a train, had the phone number of someone there, and just went. It was nice to explore a bigger city than Zwolle, and be there for Saturday market. We explored the tallest tower in the Netherlands and saw some amazing canals and shops.

Utrecht holds some personal importance...it was where my de Haan-ness originates. It is the place where my Grandpa De Haan grew up...it is so strange to walk the streets and imagine him doing the same thing so many years ago. Although the city has changed a lot since he left for Canada, there are certain things that I am sure he remembers and that are similar to what I saw and experienced.

Zwolle

It has been a little over 2 weeks that I have stepped off the plane and I can't believe it.... I have seen and experienced so many different things already, and it makes me even more excited for what awaits me in the weeks to come.

I took my camera along with me to school one day last week and had a great time shooting around Zwolle. After finally seeing the sun come through the clouds, I now know why the Dutch masters included so many colours in their paintings--it is actually how it is. It is not just blue sky and grey clouds, but yellow, purple, and pinks are in there too. It is amazing how the sky transforms the town and creates a whole new landscape.

So this is my new home for the next few months...and just a few shots to get to know where I ride my bike everyday.

And so it begins..

Here we go!
A blog about photography/holland/travel and other thoughts and things I happen to capture in my semester abroad. It has been just over one week, and I want to bring my camera EVERYWHERE! There is always something happening, or something cool going on. This past week, I only had my camera limited places, since I was in school all day, but the next few days I am putting aside time to bike into Zwolle, and then just walk around. Walk into the tiny streets, the little shops and the old churches (well if they are open). I think that this will be a good way to find my way within the city centre...Goodbye map!
Here are a few shots of places so far--Both in Zwolle(where I live) and Woudenburg (the village next to my Opa's hometown).....