Here almost a month

Well, been here almost a month, what have we learned so far ?

1. It rains like a Bastard in Holland, Its worse than Ireland because its flat and theres nothing to shelter the mainland. We were out in Scheveningen this weekend and it was so cold me nips nearly cut me t-shirt.

2. Forms, the Dutch love their Forms, you have to sign your name about 50 times before you can get paid.

3. Bus drivers are nicer than Tram drivers, don’t know why, but the tram drivers seem to get a rush waiting for you to run to the tram door and then tearing off just as you were about to get on.

4. All houses here have a weird setup, really high ceilings and weird toilets.

5. Expats are pretty friendly, I think this is out of necessity, were all here so we all have to get on or we’d have no-one to talk to except the Dutch and they really don’t get the Irish sense of humour.

6. U Kunt means “You can” not something else. I found myself saying “What did you call me!!!!”

7. Public transport here rocks, not as efficient as the Germans, but miles better than Ireland (as in it actually turns up).

8. Albert Heijn is a rip, c1000, Aldi and Plus are way cheaper.

9. Driving here is less stressful than Ireland, people seem to be alot more forgiving than in Ireland, although this could be because i have Irish plates.

10. Irish pubs are the busiest during the week (surprise surprise)

11. Theres stuff to do here besides Drinking, we went go-karting on the weekend and it was frikking deadly, I didnt do to badly either.

Overall getting on fine, don’t think i could have come here without Una, shes been great, shes a bit homesick though, harder when your sitting at home I think, at least I have something to Occupy my day. She’ll be grand, shes dying to work though, i’d be the very same!

I can’t stand the rain……

It never stops here. The grey, wet, cold streets turn my stomach.

Feeling homesick this week, really need to find a job or I think I’ll lose my head. It actually feels like everyone in the city has a purpose and are going about their daily lives but I’m suspended in time. <shudder>

I’m going slightly mad I think. The weekends are fine. Last weekend we got a bit smashed with our new friend from kildare and two guys that work with Keith on Friday, drove to Utrecht and had something to eat with savage hangovers on Saturday and went for hedonism and drinks with Kildare on Sunday night- note to self: NOT something I want a repeat performance of……

So this week we ‘ave been mostly abstaining from drinking. It’s worked out quite well actually. Apart from when Jason is here next week (coming for a small holiday and to keep me occupied), I think we’ll probably do it in future.

This weekend we are going to the beerfest in the Fiddler, visiting IKEA to get a new mattress because the one we have is like a pile of shredded newspaper, maybe going skiing and going to see some Red Bull motocross rally in Scheveningen.

Waiting for the !ӣ$%^&*ing agent to show up now to traipse some more potential buyers the house. Argh.

Una xxx

Settling in

So I’ve started work, everything is new.

In the short time i’ve been here i’ve managed to:

1. Get a Sofi Number (Same as a PPSN number in Ireland)

2. Setup a Bank account with ABNAMRO, they have English speaking facilities but don’t understand the concept of free banking, i guess the idea hasn’t caught on in Holland yet.

3. Started the process of applying for the 30% rule.

4. Managed to get to work on time even though the frikkin tram line I use is being fixed at the moment, so you have to get on, go two stops,  walk half a mile and get on another one. It’s actually almost quicker to walk the whole way.

5. Managed to find a free area to park the car, seems ok, i’ll have to go back and pick it up at some point on the weekend.

Think me might take a drive down to belgium and get some cheap booze and cigarettes.

Went to a pubquiz last night too, this crowd called legalaliens.  Good laugh, questions were weird thoug.

Good Morning Witte de Withstraat!!

I’ve got up early to listen to Today FM and clear up a bit. Since I’ve no job I’m in charge of everything which can only be done between 9 and 5, but yesterday was spent recovering from jagermeister abuse so I’m a bit behind.

 The landlord is selling the house so someone will be calling between 10 and 12. I’m not completely happy about it (or the house for that matter) but it’s all temporary so I won’t complain too much.

I’ve got in touch with the Irish club and the expats group and there’s loads on so we won’t be bored. It’s just that settling in will be a bit difficult when we have to leave the house in a couple of months.

Also Keith is a bit annoyed that all the sites he uses to waste time on during his days in work seem to be blocked in Eon…

 We’ve both got our tax numbers now so I must go to the city hall to register us there.

I am missing home but not too much, everything here is new and different and the novelty won’t wear off for a while.

Una xxx

Nearly There!!

Most of the stuff is now packed up and awaiting shipping, what isn’t packed can be done tomorrow and put in the car. Still can’t believe we’re actually going!!!

Had the going away party (actually multiple parties…), tied up the loose ends as regards banking etc so we’re all ready.

 So it’s Rosslare to Cherbourg on Wednesday then driving up the coast of France and Belgium to The Hague on Friday. Will be nice to see some european countryside before we start our lives in The Netherlands.

 Fingers crossed everything goes to plan!!!!

Una xxx

Pushing on

Times a pushing on now .. gotta get a boot on ! ..

Most of the stuff is sorted, still have to fill out tax claim forms, but some good news, have my driving test booked for friday ! .. woo hoo !

Must book a pre-test now.. although the last time i did that i failed !

Last week in work !!

So,

It’s my last week in work, bit weird really. What’s left to do ?

1. Confirm date and time with moving company, actually this crowd seem to be really good (as long as they actually pick up out stuff and don’t smash everything) Their Called Aachener International Ltd,

2. Ring Driving Test centre and beg for a cancellation this week, oh, and actually find out where my license has gone.  **Done, now to see if i get a date before we go !**

3. Ring up ESB and Bord Gais and give a meter reading, confirm a cut off date.

4. Go into the tax office and fill out forms to claim rent relief and health insurance tax

5. Get the guy whos moving in to meet the landlord.

6. Go and get drunk with various people who were not going to see for a while.

7. Pack everything (oh god)

Hope thats it!

Motivation

Or lack of as the case may be…

We’ve decided not to go out unless its completely necessary until we go away but I have a feeling we may be taking it to the extreme. We only left the house yesterday to buy dinner paraphenalia and then only because there was nothing edible in the fridge.

And it’s not like we were busy packing all day or anything- it was a day of vegging in front of the telly. Today will be much more productive. On the agenda is cleaning the car at Michael and Breda’s house so that someone will want to buy it and having matching massages to relieve the stress of thinking about doing things……

Wish us luck!!

Una xxx

Here we go!

Hi Everyone !

This is my first post, for those that don’t know, myself (Keith) and my girlfriend (Una) are moving to a place in the Netherlands called The Hague. It will be a big change from Cork, which is in the south of Ireland.

For everyone that does know, we said we’d put up our experiences, pictures and general stuff on the whole debacle. So you can stay in touch and see what the story is even though were not at home anymore.

Its Saturday now and we’ve only a week and a half left,

Going away party next weekend and then flying out on Wednesday !!

ARRRRGGGGGH

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