Soon I'll be on my way to spend one of the nicest ways to end this great year: Going to see family and friends in different parts of America for a portion of the holidays. I won't be away for the whole holiday season, but I will celebrate holidays in both my home country in various cities in America, as well as in the Netherlands, enjoying what I like the most from each. Feeling a bit nostalgic lately, this will definitely be a very nice treat since I have not been to America during the holidays since 2005.
Image © Holly Clark
My favorites during the Christmas season in the Netherlands are:
- Glühwein. You can buy or make it with or without alcohol. For the non-alcoholic recipe, click here.
- Goodies from the gebakkraam.
- Taai-taai and pepernoten or kruidnoten.
- Kerstverlichting [English: Christmas lights] and kerstversiering [English: Christmas décor].
- Christmas markets. They have them in the Netherlands, but I also enjoy those in Germany: Weihnachtsmarkt. This is where the sounds of music and smells of cloves and ginger seem to fill the air. The spirit of the season is really alive there. I love to see the crafts for sale and try something new to eat and drink each time I visit.
- Christmas is, of course, celebrated in the Netherlands. But it seems to me that each year the decorating becomes more than the year before. After Sinterklaas pays the children a visit, the homes seem instantly decorated for the Kerstdagen [English: Two Christmas days; December 25 and 26]. Some before. Or maybe it's just in my neighborhood where I get the idea that the decorating seems to become more each year? How is it in your Dutch neighborhood? The neighbors on my street seem to add more décor to the outside of their homes each year. It's a slow progression: It went from the few homes with a front window only having lights, to now the bushes and trees in their front yards also decorated with lights, as well as a wreath on their front door. Same people, just something new each year. It's as if they are boldly daring each other to do more each year, and I get a kick out of it. I look forward to the day when they too have life-size Christmas characters by their front door.
- Thanksgiving with my family. Priceless.
- Seeing family members who are either no longer able to fly comfortably halfway around the world or who can't afford it. Priceless.
- Sitting across the table, in the same room and also going shopping with my best friend. Also very priceless!
- Eggnog!
- Shopping. The U.S. dollar is unfortunately down to about ±67 euro cents, but this is a good thing in my situation. For every euro, I will get about $1.47, meaning the prices for goods, converted, will be lower. So Black Friday, here I come!
- Christmas lights. I can see these in the Netherlands, of course. But then again, I feel there is a magic about it. And in America, some go wild when it comes to decorating with lights. Often, this is great to see. Even if some go over-the-top with larger-than-life versions of light-up Frosty the Snowman and Disney character carolers all over their front yard.
- Taking the children of my family and friends to see Santa.
- Eating dinner in a restaurant which has a view of the Pacific Ocean. . .
Special thanks to Holly Clark for allowing me to use her photos. All photos are all copyrighted and were used with the written permission of Holly Clark [click here to visit her page].
Image © Holly Clark
A So Cal surfer and sunset on the Pacific Ocean.
And, below, some pieces of Newport Beach and Balboa. . .
Image © Holly Clark
Have you ever been to Newport Beach, California? If so, what are you favorite places? I enjoy shopping at the Fashion Island Mall [and even up to Irvine to the Spectrum Center], going down to the pier at Newport Bay/Balboa and driving down the Pacific Coast Highway, stopping at Ruby's Shake Shack at Crystal Cove along the way to Laguna Beach.
Newport Beach pier. . .
Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark
There is much more to do at Newport Beach and Balboa, but it will feel especially nice to take my time and enjoy what is around me, no rush. I think each of us expats have during a certain part of the year at least a few moments where we reflect back on the best of where we've lived and areas that we're familiar with and enjoyed. There is nothing wrong with this. I am comfortable in my life in the Netherlands, even though there have been sometimes when it was not always so easy, but it sure does feel good every once in a while to dream about places to go on vacation or about visiting family and friends. This is something I need to go do at least once a year, and I would suggest it to any expat: go on a vacation to a place in the world where you've never been or make a trip to see some family and friends. For me, this time around, it means going to gather with family and friends. . .
Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark
And then there's Laguna Beach!
Here are a few views. . .
Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark
About Laguna: When you turn off the Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach to Broadway Street, you will find many shops. Some are art galleries, and every month on the first Thursday is ArtWalk. There are also several other art associated events in Laguna Beach. Some other shops in Laguna Beach are surfer-themed and shops with one-of-a-kind souvenirs. The last time I was there, I bought handmade sandals, and my mother-in-law bought all of her souvenirs for Dutch family and friends since many of the souvenirs seemed to be more original than the typical seen elsewhere. I don't remember where we ate, but there were a lot of places by the beach to choose from. Near the Laguna Art Museum is one restaurant I recall well, Las Brisas, where we had coffee and dessert. They sit directly on the beach, and they have an outdoor terrace with heating and beautiful ocean view, along with a nice pathway leading down to the beach. . .
Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark
When visiting Laguna Beach, do be aware during the summer months or weekends, especially when the weather is ideal, for an overload of tourists. The hills above Laguna Beach are filled with cliffside homes and parking can become limited. An option is to park on these residential streets, respecting the signage and the parking availability of residents. However, it's not always a guarantee you can park on these streets. It may be ideal to park somewhere further away and either take the bus, shuttle or tram, or plan on a walk. If it is summer, the shuttle is free. Either way, don't be discouraged because the area is really a worth the visit. It's just hard to predict ahead of time how busy it will become, but do be prepared.
The hills above Laguna Beach have had some recent natural disasters, but you probably wouldn't notice if you weren't told ahead of time because of how quickly and well the area is cared for. In 1993, the hillside was on fire [video], and in 1995 they had a flash flood [video].
You can learn more about Laguna Beach at this link.
Further on my upcoming visit: I'm not a big fast food fanatic. I can count on one hand how many times I eat fast food in a year, but of course I'm going to splurge while I'm over there on some favorites at least a few times. . .
Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark
Root beer floats, curly fries and In-n-Out! Naturally, I also have to pay a visit Taco Bell and Del Taco. . . And shopping galore, but of course!
Image © Holly Clark
And how could I not go shopping?
Target, you're first on my list!
Top image © Holly Clark
Bottom image © Holly Clark
Having said all of this, it should be an interesting Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season! I'll update as much as possible while I'm away, but be prepared for a lot of my own photos when I return. And I wish for you all a very happy holiday season as well, no matter what you celebrate!
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14 comments/reacties:
Yay, you must be so excited! And how great is it that you'll be home for Thanksgiving?!?! I haven't been too many places on the West Coast, so I can't wait to see more pics.
I'm doing it the other way around this year. I'm spending Christmas in Holland for the first time, staying with my girlfriends parents. But we are going over to mine in London for the week before Christmas.
Target!!!!!
I think that's what I'm most envious about. I'll have to drown my sorrows over a lack of Target with some Gluhwein. ;)
Have a wonderful time!
Lucky you going to California! I can't wait to go back there some day (and will try to visit Laguna Beach) :) Anyway, I'm sure you'll have a great time with your family and friends in all the places you're going to be within the US. Enjoy your moments to the max and catch up with you once you're back!
@ Spotted Sparrow: Definitely ;-) I am so glad to finally spend a holiday with my family, and I will be seeing a friend face-to-face for the first time in 10 years. So this time, it's more than just about the turkey, but in all instances I am so glad to spend some time during this season with those who can't come to visit me. Thanks for your comment on this!
@ Invader_Stu: Christmas in Holland is great, Stu :-) But I'm glad you get to spend the time with your family as well! It sure is a nice way to celebrate the end of the year, at the very least. Thanks for your comment too!
@ Oranjeflamingo: I hear you! I don't know what it is about Target... ;-) Thanks for your comment as well!
@ A g g i e Lap: Thanks very much! I've got several other stops, but this one I am especially excited about. For me, there is just something about places like Laguna Beach. Thanks for your comment too!
freaky again! After seeing your Hengelo pictures (where's that accompanying post? hehe), I'm seeing things I recognize again. I was in California in September. I have almost the exact picture of the Newport Beach seal! (I actually went to the pier because of TV's "The O.C."...)
So great for you t go home Goede reis I love the atmosphere of christmas in Holland Here it is summer and it doesn't feel like christmas at all. Gluhwein is quite new for Holland I think It was a very german thing which you could drink at a chriskindle market.
Have a wonderful time - the warm weather will be a plus too!
I'm going back to the US for my daughter's "Dad's Day Weekend" at college next week, but ufortunately have to be back before Thanksgiving. My son couldn't get leave from the Air Force and it didn't come together this year. So I'll celebrate Thanksgiving here and Christmas in the US.
I'm really looking forward to the Christmas Markets again, I enjoy the ones at Koln, and collecting a few mugs to take back as stocking stuffers, an excuse for egg punch with rum between rounds of gluhwein.
@ Jort: Thanks for your comment too! Interesting you also were just there recently! I hope you had a great time :-) My Hengelo post... I wish I had more time lately. It's sitting in my 'drafts' on here. I have a few additional things I would like to add to it, but I haven't had enough time to work on it at all lately. Even this blog entry, I really had to squeeze some extra time in to complete. After I return from my visit in the States, I will have a large load of posts about that, and then after Oud en Nieuw, I will be able to begin on Hengelo again, so stay tuned ;-)
@ Marja: I too like the atmosphere as well. There are a lot of very nice things about Christmas in Holland! I had never tried anything like Glühwein in my life, so my first taste was an interesting moment at the Weihnachtsmarkt in Germany. It was perfect because of how cold it was outside. I could take my gloves off to hold the ceramic mug full of it because it was so warm. We go to Germany to buy a few bottles as soon as it comes out, to keep on hand, and on the colder weekend nights we warm up a few cups. A nice treat which goes well with a treat from the gebakkraam. I imagine Christmas completely in a warmer climate always would feel strange sometimes... About 10 years ago visiting friends and family in the Los Angeles-area and noticed there was a house which had a Christmas party planned. They were having ice shavings sprayed on their front lawn to add the snow effect. I wish I'd made a photograph of it! Thanks for your comment on this as well!
@ Dave Hampton: Goede reis to you for your 'Dad's Day Weekend!' Great you get to spend Christmas in America too & I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving! I have never been to the Christmas market in Koln. We're thinking this year about Frankfurt am Main [crosses fingers] or possibly Dresden. No matter where it happens to be, I'll be sure to share here ;-) This year as well I'd like to finally visit a Dutch Christmas market. I've never done that, in all of the time I've already been here. Thanks for your comment on this too!
Thanks. I'm looking forward to it.
I'm so excited for you! My absolute favorite place in Newport is Corona Del Mar beach. It was the beach I always went to as a kid and then as a teenager with my friends to have bon-fires. It was always a chore getting there early enough to get a fire pit...but well worth it. I have many fond memories there. And Newport Beach and Laguna Beach in general are always lovely places to be. So many fun things to do! Kayaking in the Newport Harbor, Dinner dances on big boats...tons of fun bars and restaurants near the water (Joe's Crab Shack, The Rusty Pelican, Woody's Wharf are some of my favorites)! I can't wait to go back eventually. If you'll still be there around Christmas time, don't miss the parade of lights in the harbor!
I know you'll have a wonderful time!
@ Invader_Stu: I'm curious & honestly I don't know if this is so, but do they also have 26 December as a "Christmas" day in the UK? Or is it simply Boxing Day? This was confusing to explain to American friends & my family the first year, when I translated "Kerstdagen" to Chrismtas Days. 26 December is usually the day in America when the stores are extremely busy doing returns & exchanges of gifts which either don't fit, are unwanted or customers spend their gift certificates or dive in on the after-Christmas deals. They should name that day ;-) What do you think?
@ Karen Michelle: Joe's Crab Shack! I know this & love it too :-) I totally forgot about it! Thanks for sharing your memories of these places, and I hope you'll be able to visit there again soon with your sweetie :-) I'll only be there for Thanksgiving and early-Christmas season. I'm going to divide the holidays up between U.S. and NL & decided it would be better to stay here for Christmas since I need to go to America alone this time around. Since it's highly likely I'll be away from my blog until early/mid-December, I wish you a lovely Thanksgiving! And thanks for your comment on this too :-)
I've been to newport beach! I rowed in college and after, and we had a number of regattas in that area. Anyway, today our weihnachts market opened and you bet we were there riding the carousels and eating bratwursts and gluhwein. .... In the US, I love the christmas lights and shopping. :) Luckily we are headed to northern California for Christmas so we'll get a bit of german, a bit of California christmas. Have fun with your travels!
I loved this post! I've been asking around to find out just what happens between Sinterklaas and the Kerstdagen, and what distinguishes the two festivities. Thanks, as always, for helping me get the insights we need to catch on here! I hope you're enjoying your trip!
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