Arrival

Flying over New York City has got to be one of the coolest sights ever, with the unbelievable skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty. For the past two days, I had been staying at the Hilton for another AFS orientation, along with other AFS students departing to Europe from the US. The actual 'orientation' was a bit silly and somewhat redundant, but meeting so many different exchange students in the same situation as me was incredible. It was nice to finally be able to relate my nerves and excitement about my trip abroad with other kids going through the exact same feelings. There are also three other students going to The Netherlands, and we're hoping to get together once in a while. Plus, now I know people in all the countries surrounding me and farther, so if I'm ever traveling it'll be nice to be able to meet up with someone I know.

The flight to Iceland was an exhausting 5-hour red-eye flight. Iceland was cool, literally, and we had enough time to grab coffee and relax for an hour. The airport accepted American money, however they gave back Krona (Icelandic money) in change.
From Iceland was a direct 3-hour flight to Amsterdam, which felt even longer than the flight before due to growing anticipation of arrival. I was seated next to two Dutch girls my age, and they were incredibly insightful on the teenage life in Holland (i.e. how Dutch girls dress in high school, what they do in their spare time...)

When the flight began its descent, below us I could see windmills and LOTS of flat, farmland. A bit different than back home...plus, the screens on the back of each seat read that we were 14 feet below sea level when we landed!

After collecting our luggage, each of our host families were awaiting to greet us outside. Mine were holding up a sign, "Welkom Molly" clad in flowers! My family treated me to a piece of Flay, Dutch pie with fruit, on the way out of the airport! The ride to Bergschenhoek was short, and soon enough I was being given a tour of the house, and my new room. My host siblings are so nice!

For a snack, we had raw Herring, Gibbling (fried cod) and smoked eel...seeing as I love seafood this was perfect. For dinner, Marijke made Wiener-schnitzel (a pork dish), potatoes, and green beans. It was SO good to finally have a home cooked meal! I tried switching my fork to my left hand and knife in the right for most of the meal...it felt so awkward though.

So far, I know 5 or 6 phrases in Dutch...if I have the energy tomorrow I'll start working on my lessons. For now, it just sounds like gibberish. Technically my school (Wolfert Lyceum) starts on Monday, but I might wait a few days to get everything figured out.

I love Holland so far. Granted I've only been here since 1pm, but I love it already. Not homesick yet.

Can't wait for what this year's going to bring,

-Molly