Some time in 1998 my husband John and I met online, just like millions of other people that join social networks, chatrooms and message boards every hour around the world. John wanted to practice and improve his English (so of course, going online and finding an Argentinian girl was the logical thing to do, lol!) and I was looking for a penfriend to add to my list of international contacts. Someone from where? The Netherlands? Sure, why not! Let's see what life is like in this small country in Europe...
Little did we know!
We kept exchanging mails and chatting frequently for over two years. Cyber romance, though, was not on our minds - we were just pen friends... Until the new millenium arrived and everything changed when we least expected it! In the year 2000 we met in Argentina, and then again in 2001 here in The Netherlands.
From that moment on our whole lives were turned upside down! We realised we wanted to be together and figured the best way to do this. We got married in Argentina in April 2003 and I moved to Holland to start a new life... and 6 years later -I'm glad to report- I'm still here!!
My life in this country has not always been easy but by now I can say that I've finally got the hang of it and I am happily settled. I feel homesick sometimes, many times... but I try to get over this by keeping in touch everyday with my family and my friends back home.
In these six years I've been around the country quite a bit and I like what I've seen so far. The Netherlands might be small, but it surely is rich in gorgeous landscapes, quaint old little villages and modern big cities.
I've not only come to admire their beautiful little country, but I've also learned a lot from the Dutch people. They have a lot of determination and perseverance; they know how to overcome adversity together; they are hard-working, efficient and practical. They will rarely tell you something different from what they're really thinking, they're direct and speak their minds.
In this blog I intend to tell you things about The Netherlands and its people and to show you what my life is like far away from home. I will also show you my beautiful Argentina and the places I visit during my long stays there every year.
So, welcome and happy blog-reading!
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15 comments:
You got me! :o) Thanks Aggie! I was just thinking of sending you the link!
Cheers!
Hey, Thanks for visiting my blog...I could learn a lot from a veteran expat in Netherlands..;)..Keep blogging...
I look forward to more! And wonderful story of how you met, and I can relate in so many ways with communicating with those back in America. It really does help in so many ways ;-)
Beautiful photos too! I look forward to learning more about Argentina through your eyes :-)
Thanks Thamarai for stopping by. Yes! I guess I can be considered a "veteran" expat, for I've lived here in the Netherlands for 6 years now. I hope we'll continue to share our experiences and learning from one another ;o)
Thank you Isabella! I'm glad you liked the "love story" though I tried to keep it factual and left all the violin music out :o)
Yes, keeping in touch with our people back home is crucial, I think. If things go right, then you want to share with them that and let them know that you are doing ok. On the other hand, when things get a bit hard or we've have a disappointment, it's good to know they're there to give you comfort, even when you don't always tell them the whole story to save them from worrying too much about you....
Hoi Aledys,
Despite the fact I just "met" you today I wish you lots of success in blogland ! As I told you per e-mail, I know something of Argentina through my travels and colleagues ('los hermanos', hehehe)and Spanish is one of my foreign languages. It is going to be a pleasure to be following your blog and your trips, I think somehow our blogs will follow parallel ways... Btw, do you have any plans to make it bilingual ?
Un saludo.
Obrigada, Anita!!
Yes, we just "met" today but oh! it made me jump with joy when I read that you loved Argentina, have been there and had Argentinian friends as well :o)
I'll be seeing you around, then!
Abraço.
Hey there! I'm glad to see a love-expat with a success story! You'd be surprised how many people don't make it...at least that's what I read.
Came across your blog while hopping from one blog to other...
Nice blog... and wonderful love story ;)
We moved here last year June... It will be nice to read more and learn more about living here from your experiences :)
Gracias, Xoán-Wahn!
I found your blog very interesting too! I like reading how other expats manage to adapt to their new homes even if they have settled in a different country, like in your case, Spain!
@Lopa,
Oh you are a "nieuwkomer", then! Good luck with your life here in the Netherlands and I hope you will visit my blog often!
Thanks for stopping by!
Olá, boa noite!
Visitei seu Blog, gostei muito e estou a seguir. Se desejar ser minha seguidora também, dê uma espiadinha no meu, o endereço é http://brasilviagemfantastica.blogspot.com/
Grata,
Bjs
This is so cute! I met my Dutch boyfriend online as well. That was a little over 3 years ago. He's still in school here, so I moved to Amsterdam in July '08. Since then, I've been going through what I presume are typical expat emotional phases, but someday I hope that I'll feel "happily settled" like you. I'm so glad to read another story about becoming an expat for love and maybe I'll learn a few things from you :-) Groetjes!
Lizzy,
Thanks so much for visiting my blog! So, you're another "love" expat? :) I'm sure we all have been through different phases since we got here and we've have our share of positive and negative experiences. Hopefully, we learning from it all!
Cheers!
Hi Katie!
Isn't it funny, our stories are almost the same!! It's interesting to see my own country from the point of view of someone who is an expat living there!
Sending you smiles!!
This is so great... I stumbled across your blog via the wonders of the social media/blogosphere and really enjoyed your first post.
I as well have recently relocated to Amsterdam for love. I met my Dutch man while in grad school in Barcelona. I'm originally from California and had every intention of returning until - as you said - my world was turned upside down! :) So now here I am in the Netherlands... nice to know there are others in the same boat.
Best of luck to you and your love!
- J.
www.glocalgirl.com
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