First Week In Bergschenhoek

DAY 1
I finally arrived in Amsterdam on monday morning around 10:00am here in Holland.  I had a terrible 7hr flight from Philly to Amsterdam.  Once we boarded our plane I became painfully aware that I was stuck next to a foreign woman and her 2 children for the rest of the flight.  She immediately pulled up the arm rest that separated me from her and her kids and made herself very comfortable, almost to the point where I was holding her little brat daughter in my lap.  To make matters worse the little girl in front of me then leaned her seat back into my knees for the remainder or the flight..and we werent even off the ground yet.  We then sat on the plane waiting for our turn to take off and suddenly they told us we were heading back to the gate because we were having problems with one of our navigation computers and we would need all of them to get across the Atlantic.  We sat in the plane for a good hour and a half until finally taking off on what seemed like the longest/slowest day of my life!

Getting off of the plane in Amsterdam I was nervous I was going to get lost in the airport but I just followed many of the people who had gotten off the plane with me.  There were many armed guards throughout the airport which was new to see.  After waiting for my baggage for a good 20mins I went out and was immediately greeted by Frans (the father of the house im staying at), Lotte (my teammate and Frans' daughter) and my Coach Gyselle.  We loaded in the car and drove the 45-1hr drive back to Bergschenhoek.  As soon as I walked in the door I was greeted by Margreet (the mother of the house) and Jamie (Gyselle's step-son), as well as their son's friend Sinan.  After sitting down in the living room with all of them for a bit Lotte showed me my room and the rest of the house.  Frans, Lotte, and I then went over to "the club" (which is what they call the clubhouse, or fields).  No one was there because of the weather and rain but we went to pick up my gear and see the fields.  We then drove around "the village" as they call it and I immediately fell in love.  It is so beautiful.  There is water everywhere and the houses are adorable.  I also like that you can bike so many places, although Im still nervous to go on my own because the bikes and cars share the road and I swear I will be the first person to get hit by a car!  We ate dinner around 5:30pm that night and then I immediately passed out by 6:00pm.  The 9 hour time difference is still a little hard for me to adjust to.

DAY 2
I woke up around 4:30am here after a great night's sleep.  I was still pretty homesick and sad about leaving everyone, but I was able to skype with my parents and it felt good to see them and hear their voices! I went downstairs where Frans showed me how to make the coffee here, which is delicious!! Its so funny how much smaller everything is here. A cup of coffee is barely close to half of a cup of coffee in America.  After coffee I went to the local grocery store with Frans where we picked up some food and the dinner for the night. It was small, but it also fits so much in there! 

When we got back from the store we went to visit Rotterdam today with Niels (the son) and Frans.  It is such a pretty place. We drove around looking at the old and new buildings and I will have to go back and take tons of pictures. Its only about a 30min bike ride.  We went to the Hotel New York which is where many people stayed when they were going to America and we saw all the ships and went right up to the harbor.  We then ate at this delicious place in a store that had everything you could want to eat. The bread here is delicious.  I couldnt help but laugh to myself when we were driving around Rotterdam listening to the radio (all english) and the new song "California Girls" by Katy Perry came on. I thought it was ironic.  We walked around a shopping area for a while and I noticed how most of the men are so "pretty" that I could not tell if they were gay or straight. haha.  And even the manicans in the stores are pretty. Its so different!

When we got back from Rotterdam I had my first practice with the team that night.  All the girls were awesome and so nice.  I threw to two different catchers and both of them missed the very first rise ball I threw to them. They were pretty excited about me, especially after I hit AND played center ;) haha. I had a blast, then we scrimmaged with the second mens softball team and they were hilarious. It was a lot of fun, when I got home I immediately passed out (after taking a shower of course :] )

DAY 3

Today I went to a local street market with Margreet and then it was so warm we sat out back most of the day just talking. I really enjoy my time with Margreet she is very funny and animated.  I finally got my bike the other day so for my first time riding it Niels went with me and we had to drive to the local bike shop where the local paper took a picture of me with my bike and the American baseball pitcher with his bike in front of the bike store with the owner.  They are going to write an article about how he gave us the bikes for free while we are here from America and stuff like that. Ill be sure to bring a copy home.

After dinner I rode over to the club on my bike again and met more people (I havent remembered anyones names yet) and the coach of the second softball team immedately asked for my help and to come to their game monday night and help her.  I stayed and watched their practice at first before working with one of the pitchers and then got to hit infield practice while she hit the outfield practice.  I will start helping out full time with them next monday at their game and then practices wed nights. Im excited about it and to finally be busy.  Tomorrow I am going with Margreet, Lotte, Lotte's friend and maybe Niels to a local town where the royalty of Holland is burried. Im going to take lots of pictures and I will post pictures of the house soon! Sorry for the length of the first blog but now that Im all caught up they will be shorter!
Love and Miss you all!!

Greetz,
Olivia