A Tour and a Tasting

Greetings!

Last Wednesday we were given the opportunity to tour a dairy farm and their cheese-making facilities and, as two avid cheese lovers, it was an offer we couldn't refuse. Located in Nijmegen, De Diervoort was only a short bike ride away and a pretty one at that. Once there, the cheese-making process was explained to us before touring the factory (though much smaller than the term usually indicates) and the farm. Naturally, the tour ended with a cheese tasting. Of course, the farm produces more than its own milk and cheese also making yogurts, ice creams, vla (pudding of sorts), and chocolate milk. It was a really interesting (and tasty) experience and some place we will definitely be biking to again. Plus, in addition to everything else, the farm has several public trails that we are looking forward to exploring. View the photos from this fun outing here and take a glance at the cheese-making process.

Until next time,

Jessica

Updated Photo Sets

Hello all!

We have recently updated a few photo sets with pictures we have either found or recently taken. The updated sets are listed below along with a description of the added photos.

1. Radboud Walk-Around

To this set Farrell has added pictures from a spring walk we had around campus. It covers a slightly different area of campus, including some pictures from the top floor of the Erasmus building (the tallest in Nijmegen), and shows the crocus in bloom.

2. Happenings of the Flat

In keeping with the spring motif, this set includes some pictures from the spring redecorating I gave the flat, as well as a few portraits of each of us. There are even a few random photos that I took, other than the ones of Farrell. (See if you can guess which!)

3. Nijmegen with Visitors

This nice, little set has been updated with a few more pictures we uncovered from when our friends visited from the U.S.

Feel free to take a peek! Enjoy!

Until next time,

Jessica

CouchSurfing in Cologne

Hello everyone!

I am glad to report that our trip to Cologne turned out great! The city was beautiful and we had an excellent host, which made our very first CouchSurfing experience very enjoyable. For those of you who have never heard of CouchSurfing, it is an online community of travelers who are interested in making new friends by hosting and visiting other community members. So, rather than staying in a hostel, this allows you a chance to stay with a local resident who is interested and excited to talk to you about their city and (if you are lucky like we were) show you around as well. It is a really great experience that I strongly recommend. And, don't worry, it really is safe: there is a verification system and you can view feedback and reviews from people that have hosted or been hosted by that individual.

As for the city itself, as the fourth largest city in Germany, Cologne has a lot to offer. Sometimes referred to as "Italy's northernmost city," Cologne is historically Catholic with beautiful cathedrals, a fun, relaxed atmosphere, and, of course, their famous Kölsch (or Koelsch) beer. What's more, Cologne has a lot of museums and on-going archaeological projects, which makes since given that Cologne is such an old city, nevertheless we were surprised by what we found. We walked along the Rhine, tagged along with a Danish tour group we bumped into, and explored all over the city. Take a look at the photos and see for yourself!

Until next time,

Jessica and Farrell

Germany for the Weekend

Hello everyone!

Well, we are off to Cologne and Bonn Germany for a few days! Look for an update on Sunday.

Quick update: The trip was great and we are back safe and sound, but a bit later then expected. Look for a post and pictures soon, but not today.

Until next time,

Farrell and Jessica

Potluck Dinner

Hello there!

A few weeks back, in part to celebrate the beginning of May break, we had a potluck dinner with a few friends that turned out to be quite the cultural experience. Our friend Maria made pelmeni, a Russian dumpling dish, while Carlota prepared some authentic Argentine empanadas and (being from Spain) some typical sangria as well. Expectedly, we brought a big, taste-packed salad and Olivier baked his usual chocolate tart, which was a perfectly delicious compliment. View the photo set here for a glimpse of our tasty experience!

Until next time,

Jessica

Mentor Group Picnic in the Park

Hello again!

When we first arrived, the International Office at Radboud University assigned each exchange student to a mentor group for the two weeks of orientation. But, as usually happens, friendships are made and it is no longer just a "mentor group," but the usual and anticipated meeting of friends. However, this afternoon picnic in Kronenburgerpark had a few unexpected surprises. Take a look at our afternoon spent relaxing, people watching, and listening to an impromptu performance from an interesting acquaintance with a borrowed hat and guitar. [photo set here]

Until next time,

Jessica

Amsterdam III: Farrell's Belated Birthday Trip

Greetings all!

Farrell's birthday was back in April and, as mentioned in the "Fast Forward" post, we took another trip to Amsterdam. We walked around our favorite parts of the city (along the canals) and explored Vondelpark, but we spent the majority of the day visiting the Stedelijk Museum and the Rijksmuseum. Unfortunately, neither of these museums allowed photography, so we do not have quite as many photos as usual. Nonetheless, feel free to take a tour of the sites on the way from the Central Station to the museum and back again. Enjoy!

Until next time,

Jessica

Saturday Travels Part II: Haarlem

Hello there!

We have finished sorting and Farrell has now finished labeling our pictures from Haarlem, Saturday's second trip following our visit to the Keukenhof Gardens, the largest flower gardens in the world. Described by locals as "a village in a city," Haarlem is a beautiful city filled with gorgeous old buildings, canals, looming cathedrals, windmills, and a rich history to accompany it all. Needless to say we had a great time, so we encourage you to take a look for yourself! Begin viewing the complete photo set here and see what it is like to walk the streets of Haarlem!

Until next time,

Jessica and Farrell

The Keukenhof Gardens

Hello there,

As mentioned in the last post, we took a trip to the famous Keukenhof Gardens, the largest flower garden in the world. Certainly, the gardens did not disappoint. Take a tour of "the Gardens of Europe," by looking at the finished photo set. Posted only two days after, consider this a belated Mother's Day post. Enjoy!

Until next time,

Jessica and Farrell

The Groninger in Groningen

Greetings!

We have been doing some traveling the past two days: Friday we went to Groningen, followed by a trip to the famous Keukenhof Gardens and Haarlem. Both days were a lot of fun, but very tiring, involving several solid hours of traveling each day. Take a look at the first set of pictures from our recent travels, here. This set focuses on our first day of traveling in Groningen, which began with a visit to the Groninger Museum (of art) and a walk all around this city, the capital of the province of Groningen. Look for pictures from Keukenhof and Haarlem in the coming days.

Note: I spent most of today sorting, describing, researching and tagging this photo-set and the two yet-to-be-launched sets of Keukenhof and Haarlem. However, as it takes quite a bit of time to write researched and externally linked descriptions for all of my photos, I haven't quite finished with this set. If you want to go ahead and take a look, go for it - I will post again when I've finished adding descriptions, tags and geotags to this set, for everyone else who wants the fully connected experience. 

Until next time,

Jessica and Farrell

Queen's Day

Hello again!

Last Saturday was Queen's Day, which is a big holiday for the Netherlands, though some of its festivities seem a bit odd to outsiders. Everyone dresses in orange (an homage to the William of Orange family dynasty), participates in the open air market (the one day where anyone is allowed to sell anything), and enjoys classic Dutch food (oliebollen), all mixed in with concerts and the occasional samba band -- at least, that's what Nijmegen's celebrations were like. The biggest celebrations occur in the larger cities, which includes Amsterdam, of course. To read more about Queen's Day and its associated celebrations, you can read the Wikipedia page by clicking here. For images from our day in Nijmegen, take a look at the photoset here, or start a slideshow of large images here.

Until next time,

Jessica and Farrell

Spring Walks and Fresh Cuts

Hello all!

Take a look at our new haircuts, which I did myself, and at some scenes from our walk to Goffertpark on a beautiful spring day.

You can find the set of photos here, or start a slideshow of large images (recommended) here.

Warm wishes until next time,

Jessica