Hello everyone! My name is Travonne Thompson and I am here to provide a blog post for November 25th2018 for our second day in the Netherlands. Today we had some very good personal bonding time with our group from Maine. I thought today was really beneficial for us to become closer as a personal group because it then allows us to learn a little more about each other since we don't get to be in an actual classroom throughout the semester because of the format of the course. We started out today by visiting the Zaans Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands which tells the history of Zaandan Holland and the Chocolate and Biscuit factory. We were able to visit what was described to us as a "windmill graveyard" which was amazing! There were so many different windmills and stores there! We were able to purchase and taste some of the best chocolate and cheese that I have ever had in my life! Also, we visited a shop that created clogs, which was so nice. We then headed over to Egmund aan Zee, Netherlands for a very amazing cultural dinner where we were served some really amazing food! Today was a really great day and I'm excited for our classes to get started tomorrow!
Just to add, so far for me this has been an exceptional trip. This is my first time leaving the country and just from the flights yesterday to Dublin and to Amsterdam. I've really enjoyed the hospitality from the people in Schoorl, the workers in the grocery stores and also the amazing hospitality that the people of this beautiful country have showed us here. I am very happy to be able to have experienced this with this amazing group... even though I am the only guy J.