I arrived in Amsterdam at 7:15 am (1:15 am EST), so since I am a “night owl” anyway, I did not sleep on the plane. Instead, I loved watching three movies! (One was “Secretariat” which gave me tears of happiness when he won…I have a soft heart for anything that is positive and encouraging.;-) They served dinner soon after takeoff and then sort of an egg mcmuffin with a banana just before we landed. I sat next to a darling young man from an island in Norway, who works on a cargo ship and was just coming home on leave for a month. He shared all kinds of things for me to do when I am in Scandinavia next month.
My client and new friend, Nicolette Wuhring, was dear to meet me at the airport so early in the morning. I had warned her to bring a big car because of all my luggage (anyone who has ever traveled with me knows I NEVER travel light! ;-), and we talked a mile a minute the whole hour to the hotel. On the way we passed darling small dutch cottages and field after field of hyacinths, daffodils, and tulips, rows of color like stripes in pinks, purples, reds, and yellows. What a lovely, simple lifestyle they lead, at least in the country. As we were leaving the highway, we looked up and saw a beautiful rainbow- I think a sign that this visit is going to be especially blessed.
The Grand Hotel Huis Ter Duin is located right on the beach, and my room has a lovely view. As I looked out this afternoon, there were people walking and several riding horses on the beach even though it is pretty cold and windy today. On the lawn outside my window is a giant chess set and chess board installed on the ground which people use to play when it is warmer. Sadly, while I was watching, three middle school aged boys began throwing the giant pieces at one another–I guess there is disrespect for property everywhere in the world. The lobby and hallways of the hotel have polished marble floors, beautiful carpets, and lovely chandeliers as well as huge curving staircases and dark oak bars–very elegant.
The boys with the chess set on the lawn
View of the sea from my room
After Nicolette and I had coffee, I checked into my room about 11:15 am (6:15 am my time), unpacked, took a shower, and then took about a 4 hour nap. I got up, dressed, and went down to dinner where I met Lou and Jonellen Heckler, speaker friends from Gainesville, Florida. I ordered Plaice, a local fish that was just freshly caught, and it was wonderful. Food, however, is VERY expensive here — an American breakfast, for example is 30 EU or about $40! Tipping, though, is much less. Even a 10% tip is appreciated in the restaurants, and one does not tip housekeepers, taxi drivers, and others. It is always interesting to learn about the cultures of other countries. I brought my converter for my curling iron as well as the correct plugs to use for my computer and phone, and it is safe here to drink the water from the tap, so in the room, it feels almost like I am in America.
Tomorrow Nicolette is going to pick me up at 9:00 to go to the tulip fields, and then there are meetings for the Global Speakers Federation, a reception, and a dinner, so it will be a busy day. I am so very BLESSED to be able to be here in Holland. My life is full of joy, special friendships, and adventure, and I am grateful for each day, each person, and each experience.
