Trips & travel: May 2008 Archives

with Paris.

I traveled via high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris and arrived just in time to grab some lunch and duck out of the rain at a cafe. I enjoyed some authentic French crepes (which are not very much like American crepes) and studied my Frommer's "Paris in One Day" map which seemed way too ambitious and involved some public transportation which we all know is not my strong point.

I quickly ditched the idea of a map when I realized that everything was a sight to be seen. I chose a direction and walked from the Arc de Triomphe to the Musée du Louvre and several side journeys in between. It was pouring rain, but about 70 degrees outside - not the best weather but it seemed to add to the experience. Every direction I looked was one breathtaking scene after another, it was truly exhausting taking it all in (and walking about 10km in a couple of hours). I felt like running so I could see more but didn't want to miss anything.

The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, so I regret not being able to go inside - but the building's exterior is in itself a piece of art. After my exhausting day I met my colleague and client for an amazing dinner. The icing on the cake and perhaps my idea of a perfect night in Paris was last night's lightning storm - I love electrical storms and got to lie in bed and watch this one for about an hour.

Today was the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) conference on Data Protection which I found to be quite interesting and I learned more in a few hours than I could even absorb. After the conference we met for drinks with some of the other participants at an outdoor bar with stunning view of the Eiffel Tower, and then had another great dinner nearby.

Unfortunately I have not a single picture of my trip because my American power converter didn't fit into the hotel outlet so my camera wasn't charged. That's fine though, it would have been just a lot more photos with inanimate subjects since I was traveling alone - post cards are better anyway.

I am anxious to return and take some photos and spend more time wandering around the most beautiful place I've ever been. It should be noted that I've been to some beautiful places: the Prince William Sound in Alaska, the Big Island of Hawaii, the Rogue River in southern Oregon, Glacier National Park in Montana, Manhattan, the Wallowa Mountains, the desert in Utah....all different types of beauty but none so astonishing as my new favorite city in the world (so far).

I am excited to let you know that in about 12 hours I will be boarding a flight to Amsterdam, The Netherlands where I will live for the next 18 months!  I've accepted a position with KPMG's International Headquarters in Amstelveen.  I will be part of a team that assists companies in transferring data across International borders.  The laws are very complex and differ from one country to the next, and I look forward to what is sure to be a rewarding and challenging experience.

My first assignment will take place in nine different countries across Europe.  I plan to spend as much time as possible traveling around and seeing as much of the world as I can.  Between business and personal travel, I hope to cross a handful of items off my ever-growing list of places I want to see.

I am excited to get there - only a little bit nervous so far.  KPMG will help me with everything related to the relocation.  They will pick me up from the airport on Wednesday morning and take me to my hotel.  Then in the afternoon I'll meet with the housing agent to drive around looking for apartments.  They'll set me up with a car, a bank account, a phone, and Dutch lessons.    Most people in The Netherlands speak English, and the client projects I will be working on will be in English.  But learning the language will make it easier to adjust and I wouldn't want to pass up an opportunity to learn a new language.  I will be allowed two trips home during my stay, I haven't yet thought about when those might be.

You may have noticed I've updated the design of this blog - seems appropriate with all the changes in my life!  I'll still be using the same e-mail address to keep in touch - and I will be keeping my US phone number.  I can receive voice mail but no text messages unfortunately.

Please keep in touch and check back soon for photos and updates!