Sneeuw in Oss

The number one gripe I've seen/heard last week was about the weather.  The "first day of Spring" has come and gone and so has Easter, yet the other day I went for a bike ride around town in a mini blizzard.  What gives.  I do love the public witch hunt for Punxatawany Phil's head.  Well, I don't have any animosity towards that rodent, because even though I'm about done with Winter, it does make for some beautifully peaceful video.  

**Sorry for the shaky camera work.  I think I need one of those helmets with a camera on it**

"Friday Fails" NOW "Friday Foto Fun"

Last Friday I thought about beginning a weekly series called "Friday Fails" where I would feature aspects of our "Fail Days" from the week.  However, my intent was not to create a "whoa is me" series.  I didn't want to ruin your weekends. But instead I was hoping it would turn into a way to share experiences with others in an attempt that they could learn from our mistakes.

Well, I'm happy/sad to report that Vicki & I had a pretty good week here in the Netherlands so I don't have any material for a "Friday Fails" post. Instead let me say this week was filled with some fun firsts: our first Holland Flower Show & my first bike ride. I was also presented a great opportunity to volunteer with an expat website in a few weeks. In addition, Vicki and I are very excited about our upcoming adventure to Rome next week where we get to catch up with a good friend.  Fingers crossed we'll see some white smoke.  Even if we don't it will be wonderful to be in Rome to experience the excitement around the Conclave.  

I hope you all had a fantastic week too.  If not, I hope this picture can make you laugh.  Cheers to the weekend friends!

"I CAN'T GET LEFT!"

Bike with two rolls of toilet paper strapped safely aboard.

Today, I got to experience life as a member of the upper echelon of the Dutch transportation hierarchy.   That's right folks, I took my first bike ride. There she is to the left, kick stand and all.  Alright yes, I know it's a ladies bike, don't judge me.  It came with the apartment.

"But Dan, why have you waited so long to ride a bike?"  Well Internet, let me tell you....I was waiting for the snow to melt before I embarked on a cycling adventure.  Today was a gorgeous day, in Oss.  The sun was shining and I think temps got into the 5s (°C), a virtual heat wave!  Oh, and we also needed toliet paper. So, I thought the quickest way to the City Hotel, our toliet paper supplier/owner operator of our apartment was by bike.

I think it was a good first attempt.  However, I still have NO IDEA how to make left turns.  As a result, I took a reaaaaalllly long way home to the apartment since it was composed of all right hand turns.

I may have disobeyed some ordinances on my joyride around town. A minute into my ride, I blew a  red bicycle traffic light (they have them here).  However, the bus that was about to turn right as I was proceeding just stayed put and yielded to me.  That's power, my friends.  Apparently the cyclist always has the right of way.  My next challenge can be seen here:




Here's more from my journey around Oss.


SORRY FOR THE VERTICAL VIDEOS.  I'LL DO BETTER NEXT TIME.

SNEEUW!

Just so happened our arrival to the Netherlands coincided with the area’s first “major” snowfall.  It was by no means a Snowmageddon or a Snowpocalyspe but it was enough to snarl some of the major infrastructures.  Lucky for us, our ride from Amsterdam to Oss was uneventful and we arrived safely at our new home.  

The snow made for some great picture taking opportunities.  This was the bike parking lot at the Oss Train Station.