Did We Upend Our Lives and Move to Europe? Yes, we did!
Hi! I'm Jenn, a Canadian expat currently residing in the Netherlands. I'm 51 (internal screaming continues) and a self-proclaimed travel obsessive. I'm the type of person who researches vacations for fun – like, actual fun. My browser history is basically a love letter to Google Maps and obscure European train schedules.
For years, I dreamt of extended European adventures. I envisioned myself sipping wine in Tuscan vineyards and casually strolling through Parisian markets (you know, the usual). Then, BAM! My husband gets a job teaching at an international school in the Netherlands. Cue the dramatic music and a montage of packing boxes.
So, in the summer of 2024, we did it. We actually did it. We upended our perfectly normal lives and moved to Europe. It’s still so surreal that for the first few months, we had a daily mantra:
"Did we upend our lives and move to Europe?"
"Yes. Yes, we did."
Now, I'm living in a charming little Dutch city surrounded by beautiful countryside. It's a world away from what we knew, and let me tell you, it's been an experience. A fun(ny) experience. From navigating the local grocery store (apparently, "hagelslag" is a thing) to trying to decipher Dutch road signs and master multi-lane roundabouts, every day is an adventure.
And of course, we're taking advantage of our new location to explore Europe! I’ll be sharing our travel escapades – the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious. Think of it as a “what to do and not to do" guide, sprinkled with some genuine travel gems. You’ll learn from our mistakes (because there will be mistakes) and hopefully be inspired to plan your own dream vacation.
Speaking of planning…
Flashback to Backpacking Mayhem
My love of travel goes way back. In 1995, at the tender age of 22, I hopped on a plane to Copenhagen for a semester abroad. It was my first time ever flying, and let’s just say, the travel bug bit hard. A couple of years later, I was backpacking across Europe, armed with paper maps, a ridiculously heavy guidebook, and a stomach that could handle endless baguettes and Nutella.
Those were the days of sleeping in giant tents with hundreds of other backpackers, booking hostels on the fly, and generally embracing the chaos. I had some incredible moments – Norwegian fjords, sunlit nights in St. Petersburg, even the running of the bulls (which, let’s be honest, was a bit terrifying).
But let's just say my travel style has…evolved. I’ve traded in the questionable hostels for much more comfortable accommodations, and I'm much more interested in immersive experiences than surviving on questionable street food.
So, join me as I navigate this crazy expat life, one stroopwafel at a time. I promise stories, tips, and maybe even a few laughs at my own expense. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life is too short to take yourself too seriously (especially when you’re biking in a beautiful Dutch nature reserve and find yourself surrounded by sheep!).
