Amy's Global Mobilities

After a two hour gate hold in the plane at O'Hare, the flight seemed endless. But when I arrived the sun was out, and I found my apartment on a tiny little street a couple of blocks from Anne Frank's House. As you can see, I've already started nesting. I have my first batch of Dutch flowers for this trip. I have the entire ground floor of a small old house. The street is much quieter than the one I was on last year - better for sleep, but not as much activity to watch.

My departure is in just over a month! This is a photo of the garden at the Royal Delft factory in Delft. The company now creates products of all qualities, from inexpensive tourist gifts to hand-painted objects that cost thousands of dollars. They also have a line of contemporary designs. During my stay last year, I had my eye on an oval dish, and finally, the week before I left, I splurged and bought it. It was labeled oven dish, so I used it for an apple crisp almost immediately. Fine cracks appeared in the glaze. I emailed the company, and, to my surprise, received an immediate response that the dish was not intended to be used in an oven! I gently suggested that perhaps the labeling needed changing. I received a response telling me to show the email at any of their stores to receive a replacement dish. I recount this story because it shows a blend of what I found in the Netherlands: occasional glitches and kind, often very informal people. Can't wait to go back.

Greetings, I am premiering this blog in preparation to my return to the Netherlands in October 2018, where I will continue conducting research on museums and diversity . . . and well, generally observe life in a European nation. My goal is to be outside the US for as much of #45's term as possible. Come along for the ride!