With Lizzy to the land of once
Hans Bos (67) went on tour with his daughter Lizzy (almost 6) through the Netherlands, his country of yesteryear. The journey was definitely worth it, although the cold sometimes threw a spanner in the works.
At Schiphol we have to wait quite some time for the shuttle that takes us to car rental company Dollar. “I don't want to live in this country”, is the first thing that Lizzy releases, shivering. This is understandable, because the temperature does not yet reach 12 degrees, a lot less than the 35 plus that we left behind in Bangkok. Fortunately, it gets warmer the days after, but the socks stay on all week.
On Suvarnabhumi it is right on target. Before we can line up at Immigration, we are asked to come along. Apparently, the combination of an older gentleman and a young girl arouses suspicion. An official behind a desk asks Lizzy a few questions in Thai, I have to show the letter in which the mother gives permission for a foreign trip and we can then continue.
The flight with EVA Air to Amsterdam went smoothly, although we departed an hour late. This is due to a male passenger who apparently is not well, but refuses to leave the plane. During the daytime flight to Amsterdam, Lizzy and I sit on a 'two', unhindered by other passengers.
From the moment I drove onto the road in Hoofddorp with my driving mosquito bump (Toyota Aygo), I was amazed at the jumble of speed commands. From 06.00:19.00 to 100:23 you can drive 6 kilometers between Amsterdam and Utrecht. I drive there as a silly 'foreigner' at 100 pm and wonder how fast I am allowed on this 120-lane(?) road with hardly any traffic to Utrecht. The rest of the journey I desperately try to navigate between 130, XNUMX and XNUMX kilometers. It is impossible to measure it, despite the hundreds of road portals that have appeared in recent years. When the road narrows, you are suddenly allowed to drive faster, while wide motorways require less speed. And I don't want to get a ticket under any circumstances. In any case, it is busy on most highways.
Daughter Femke lives in Utrecht on the Zilveren Schaats, a beautiful water feature on the east side. From there we can take the boat to the canals of Utrecht. Granddaughter Madelief is only five months younger than Lizzy and can't wait to think of her arrival. Two days later, the love has cooled off and the ladies stake out their area. It is only towards the end of the journey that there is any rapprochement again.
It is striking in Utrecht that parents without a 'cargo bike' hardly count. Children, pets and groceries all go in the (often wooden) box at the front of a bicycle that could date straight from the last world war.
In The Hague, on a freezing cold and windy day, we visit the sea aquarium on Scheveningen boulevard and the Karel Appel exhibition in the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague. Lizzy makes frantic attempts to imitate Appel at a painting party at the museum.
A child's hand is quickly filled, because Lizzy appears to have a preference for all the playgrounds we encounter. In Hua Hin you have to look for it with a lantern. A visit to Efteling is not yet necessary for her (fortunately).
On departure from Schiphol, the Marechaussee takes a good look at us. After asking a few questions we are allowed to continue without any problems. Thailand out and in with a Thai passport for Lizzy; In and out of the Netherlands with a Dutch copy. The return flight is almost luxurious: a two ticket for Lizzy and three seats in the middle for myself during the night flight. Also at Suvarnabhumi we can go through Immigration without waiting and problems.
Was the trip to the Netherlands with such a young girl worth it? The answer is: Absolutely! Lizzy has made the journey of her young life and has been able to get to know a different culture, different food (real strawberries / asparagus / herring) and many relatives, friends and acquaintances. Lizzy was liked by everyone. For now, she prefers Thailand, just like her father. She hopes that she will study in the Netherlands in a few years. At least she got a few words from the trip (please, thank you, slide. cargo bike). In addition to a scooter and fun skates…
What a nice positive story! I face a similar situation next year, albeit a few years younger. What I'm curious about: what is the reaction of people on the street when they see you with your daughter?
I can imagine that people take you for the grandfather.
What I have learned from it is that a little good weather is important to baptize the love for the Netherlands!
Age is state of mind..
Splendid story.
Sincerely,
Brilliant story, which I read in Thailand, with a sequel in the Netherlands.
Glad you had a good time here in Holland.
When I read your first story, I had my doubts until I spoke this sweet of your daughter at embarquement after our flight with Eva to Amsterdam.
A DKW tje (that can be something) I thought to myself.
Yes, we officially have a lot of freedom here, but that is completely boarded up from above with all kinds of commandments and prohibitions.
This also always hits me raw on my roof, when I'm back here in the Netherlands.
Thailand is more freedom / happiness in that respect. (with other restrictions of freedoms)
Good luck and a big hug for Lizzy.
Steven
Nice report Hans,
berthy
In your previous reports you could read that you spent a lot of time and care on the paperwork. So that was not in vain. I had to think about Tino's story from last week when I read your piece. The Netherlands is an opportunity for good education in order to have a good chance for the future. Are you going to teach Dutch to your daughter now, or will you stick to Thai and English? And a half-full plane is wonderful to arrive a little relaxed after such a long direct flight. Your problem on the A2 is being worked on. Going up I read somewhere.
The report may be a bit of a stretch, but I have no problem understanding that Lizzy found the Netherlands a challenge. Must have been a wonderful journey for you, father and daughter.
@Jasper. The only person who made a comment about the age difference with my daughter Lizzy during our trip was the driver of the shuttle that took us from Schiphol to the car rental. He immediately assumed I was Lizzy's grandfather, but my daughter immediately corrected that. Furthermore, nobody in the Netherlands said anything, presumably because everyone assumed that I was the grandfather.
My grandchildren called me 'Grandpa Hans'. Funny thing was that Lizzy took over…
@Jack G. Lizzy wants to learn more and more Dutch words. That's not a problem, but I prefer her to speak good English than broken Dutch.
Every year I go to the Netherlands with my son. If people said 'What a nice grandson you have!' I would say 'He is not my grandson but my grandson's uncle!' leaving the people in utter confusion.
Too bad you didn't teach your daughter Dutch: it is always better to speak your mother tongue with your child than a foreign language. I have always spoken Dutch with my son, and taught him Dutch at primary school. He has been attending an international school for five years now. He is fluent in four languages: Thai, Dutch, English and the Northern dialect, and follows his mother's dialect: Thai Lue.