Travelogue: Tot Ziens, Holland (A Little Awesome and Awkward)

We've been home for a week now, with mixed feelings.  I missed texting, strong black tea in a large mug, my couch and cereal.  I definitely did not miss severe winter weather, the daily work routine or having to make my own bed and clean up after myself.  Why doesn't our apartment have a housekeeping crew?

I liked the Netherlands.  Ah lahked it ah-lawt.

Here are some things that are awesome:

• Mamas ride bikes in 3 inch heels.  And a mini-skirt.  And have a toddler in a seat between the handlebars.  And bring home the groceries in the saddlebags.
• Dutch chocolate breakfast sprinkles.  Mmm...a little chocolate at breakfast time can be a very, very good thing.
• 3 air kisses are better than 2!
• Grocery hand baskets with an extendable handle and little wheels so you can drag it around instead of carrying it on your arm.
• Stroopwafels.  Come to America, please.

And a little awkward:

• If you are tall, your short guest will only be able to see the top of her forehead in your bathroom mirror.
• Schoolgirls who dash across major intersections while you stand timidly at the crosswalk, waiting for the light to change.
• Some restaurants have pets...cute unless you're an icky-animal-hair-on-me-or-in-my-food-freak out.
• Having to start every interaction in Dutch until they realize you didn't understand anything after "Hallo."  And then they switch to perfect English.
• A majority of the population who consider leggings to be equivalent to pants. Not so.