Once we arrived and checked into our hotel we unpacked for a bit and immediately set out on foot to find some lunch and fight the jet lag. We walked over to one of our favorite areas, the Jordaan. Poor Henry seems to be struggling quite a bit and is lashing out... He hurls himself at bikes, mopeds, pigeons, children... Sounds fun, right? Hopefully he gets over this soon as it made our walk particularly unpleasant. Can you imagine a dog that doesn't like bikes living in Amsterdam? Pretty comical, actually!
It's so strange living in a city where I don't know my way, have no idea what restaurants are good, what neighborhoods to avoid, etc etc. But this is all part of the adventure - and a huge part of the reason we decided to leave Portland for a few years. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, and boy have I ever! I have so much to learn about Amsterdam and Europe in general!
The second day in Amsterdam we woke up early and took Henry for a walk. We knew there wouldn't be many people (read: pigeons, bikes, kids and scooters) out in the morning - so we thought it would be the perfect time to take Henry for a nice walk over to Vondel Park. Back in Portland, we loved taking early morning walks before the city was awake. I loved how peaceful and quiet it was. Here in Amsterdam, I found that the quiet felt eerie. I'm sure that will change, it just felt uncomfortable, like something wasn't right. I look forward to appreciating the peace of the morning hours in Amsterdam someday (hopefully soon).
Now our second day in Amsterdam is over and we're settling in and hoping our six hour nap earlier doesn't stop us from sleeping through the night... Tomorrow is a big day for us. Any guesses what it is? More updates coming soon. As well as some catching up from the weeks leading up to our move. Thanks again for sticking with me as my blogging was sporadic!
{Photos © Liz Denfeld}
yayy!! So exciting!!! I can't wait to see more updates and pictures of the new home! :)
ReplyDeleteBelly B :)
Henry looks like he's going to pounce on something in that last picture! Cute!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for your family and your new adventure! The pictures are so beautiful and I can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeletewooohooo happy yall made it safe and sound :) especially henry since i know first hand how stressful the move was for him :) excited to see your upcoming adventures! <3
ReplyDeleteglad you guys made it safely! amsterdam looks amazing, it's one place i really hope to see in person one day :)
ReplyDeletePoor Henry ! Had he never flown before? I'm sure it was just such a long time to be cooped under a seat.
ReplyDeleteGlad u guys made it there safe!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! And enjoy Amsterdam. Can't wait to hear all about :)
ReplyDeletep.s Thanks for your comment xo
this is so amazing, i cant wait to read all about your travels and experiences! GOOD FOR YOU TWO for breaing the norm and doing this before life gets too complicated!
ReplyDeleteyay you made it! i love seeing amsterdam through your eyes...you capture it beautifully! make sure to check out "de pijp" neighbourhood; it is super trendy and has all the best restaurants/bars in the city!
ReplyDeleteSo exciting! I love Amsterdam, you three are going to have an amazing time. I know what you mean, though, about living in a new place. I just moved from Sweden to New York, and although I've been here lots and lots of times before, now everything feels so foreign. But you're right, that's part of the adventure!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you, can't wait to read more!
I still can't believe you are there even as I look at the pictures! Happy Anniversary! I can't wait to see more photos.
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
Amsterdam looks gorgeous! Glad you three made it there safely! Looking forward to following your journey :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see more pictures! It's so fun hearing about your adventures so far!
ReplyDeleteWow, these are amazing! I love your scarf!!! Happy Anniversary Amsterdam Lovers!!! May you have a million more blessed and amazing years to come :)
ReplyDeleteAmsterdam looks so beautiful :) Hope you settle in soon, and your new city starts to feel more like home.
ReplyDelete~Tammy
www.bayparkdream.blogspot.com
gorgeous pictures.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Henry will settle soon and won't mind the bikes :)
cheers to navigating a new city! you guys are going to have such an adventure!!!! love all your pictures!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you guys made it safely, and I am so jealous. These pictures make me miss Amsterdam so much. Definitely my favorite city...aside from Portland, lol. Also, where did you get those cute grey/tan sandals?
ReplyDeleteAmsterdam is beautiful! So glad you arrived safely. I'm sure Henry will get more used to it, poor little guy. :) Can't wait to hear more about your adventures!
ReplyDeleteSuch great photos! Welcome to your new world!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on making it! You're going to have such an amazing time.
ReplyDeleteJess
P.S. Jet lag is the worst!
Awe Henry! I had the same issue with my cat Coco once on a flight! She almost escaped on the plane...
ReplyDeletewow, liz. it looks so beautiful. and you're already looking quite european! :) very pretty. i had a little pang of jealousy reading this post. y'all are going to have such an adventure living abroad!! looking forward to reading more about it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a rough start, but I'm sure it's bound to be a wonderful adventure for you guys!! Henry will get used to everything with time :)
ReplyDeleteAs always, Liz, beautiful pictures!!
This post makes me want to go back to Amsterdam... like, now! Happy anniversary. Enjoy every second! xoxo
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh so beautiful!!! gosh i'm so jealous!! sorry henry wasn't a good boy on the flight! at least it's over now! hope he learns to love the bikes and pigeons quickly!
ReplyDeleteAll your photos look amazing!! I really want to go back to Europe! Glad you got there safely and I can't wait to see more photos. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://danica-nicole.blogspot.com
Oh, this is so exciting to read! I'm sure it's even more exciting for you. Best of luck to you guys as you continue settling in and finding the comforts of your new home :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you made it safely Liz! Henry certainly is a ham isn't he?! (adorable) Although I'm stuck studying for a licensure exam all weekend I'm glad to have had the opportunity to live vicariously through your photos! Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Looking forward to seeing more of the adventure =)
Hi Liz!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Henry will calm down soon... I'm sure it's a big adjustment for him, what with all the new smells and all :)
Congrats on your move! I so admire you for following your dreams like this! You're such an inspiration. I can't wait to see where your new journey takes you!
Sarah
Welcome to NL! I'm sure it won't be long until you are finding your fave places to eat drink and shop and enjoying early mornings before Amsterdam gets crazy busy. I live in EIndhoven, further south in NL but not for too long as we'll probably be moving to Portland at the end of the year! How funny is that! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWishing Henry the best adjustment and european adventure!!! After several moves...I come to grips with the fact that until familiar that eerrie-ness of unfamiliarity is quite enchanting. Odd, but true.
ReplyDeleteThis is so exciting! Glad you made it there ok! :)
ReplyDeleteHooray! Love these photos, can't wait to see more! Glad you guys made it there safely!
ReplyDeleteGlad you guys made it safe! Poor Henry, I don't like flying either! I feel his pain! Looks like the 3 of you are settling in nicely though :)
ReplyDeletewoo hoo for new adventures, so exciting! I'm sure the pup will settle in soon...it must be crazy and unfamiliar for him, too.
ReplyDeleteI've had such a tough week....and these photos reminded me how to feel love again. Thank you so so much..I mean it
ReplyDeleteI guess I always thought you had to put your dog in a crate with the rest of the cargo on flights - but did Henry get to fly next to you guys the whole time?
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Looks beautiful, enjoy your first days on your new adventure!!
ReplyDeletePoor little lovie! He'll adjust (and quickly I hope)!
ReplyDeleteYou look absolutely gorgeous in that photo!
great pictures ... hope everything gets smoother in the next few days!
ReplyDeletei just read anne frank remembered and it's making me wanna visit so badly! first i'll focus on blogger meetup....and then i'll move on to showing up at your doorstep!
ReplyDeleteWhat a world away from the NW! Glad to see you and your cute family made it safely. Can't wait to read all about your adventures and see your photos.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Summer FINALLY arrived here. Sun all weekend here in Seattle. :)
One of my favorite cities in Europe...can't wait to see more photos!
ReplyDeletehttp://katherinesawma.blogspot.com/
I wrote a post on Amsterdam, hope this gives you a few good ideas!! http://katherinesawma.blogspot.com/
This is SO exciting. Amsterdam is so beautiful, I can't wait to read about all your new adventures!
ReplyDeleteI love your wedding photos, flowers and everyone looks beautiful. Also enjoyed your photos of Amsterdam and the canals and beautiful buildings.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing city to live in as newlyweds!! I hope you soak up all it has to offer : ) I've been catching up on your blog + adventures and just love it all! I'm definitely jealous about your move abroad as it is a dream of mine too, and I appreciate you sharing the good and bad, ups and downs! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI am really curious how you got your dog into Europe in the cabin?? We've actually talked about living in Europe (London, perhaps) for a few years but honestly had to put the kibosh on the plans as everything I've read said the dog has to enter the EU via cargo. Our dog would never make it in cargo. Would love more info from you on how you did it!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Amanda
aschaumburger@hotmail.com