Amsterdamming
As much as I like bright lights and big cities, I have to admit that I’ve generally avoided Amsterdam as much as possible since moving to the Netherlands. Why? Well, after being in London for 3 years...
View ArticleSugar rush and sound shock in the former embassy
Imagine living in a nice old villa in a charming neighborhood in The Hague. Imagine the house having an enchanting spirit for it being a former Congolese embassy. Imagine living there with your...
View ArticleThe Magic of Morricone.
Growing up listening to the enchanting music of Morricone it was my fervent hope that one day I would get to meet the Maestro himself. As I was randomly browsing through the internet about 2 months...
View ArticleWhat to do on Queen’s day? A last minute research
I reckon you have heard about this curious myth around queen’s day more than a couple of times since you arrived. It is supposed to be THE event of your year in the Netherlands. And this year will be...
View ArticleISN Cultural Festival on Saturday
Every year, ISN hold a cultural festival in Leiden, celebrating and showcasing all the various nationalities of the international student body at Leiden University. Students form groups to represent...
View ArticleEating and drinking my way around the world
Did you guys make it along to Scheltema yesterday to spend some time at the ISN Cultural Festival? It was loads of fun! The sun was shining and everyone I met on the way to the event wore flip flops...
View ArticleDutch Lesson #1
It is now just over a week since the infamous 3rd of October Leiden Ontzet (or the ‘Siege of Leiden’ – wikipedia it) and I’m just about starting to get over my hangover. For those of a studious nature,...
View ArticleDutch music: a brief introduction… (and/or Dutch Lesson #2)
I thought of basing my ‘Dutch Lesson #2′ post around a song that I recently heard, however due to the wealth of new lexicon that I have been exposed to via my housemates’ various Dutch music...
View ArticleAll Things Alternative in Leiden
My desk has officially become my new best friend. Buried under a pile of books, I’ve been writing papers, preparing presentations, trying to keep up with a monstrous amount of reading whilst...
View ArticleImagine Dragons: Live at the Melkweg
On the 2nd November, I went to see Imagine Dragons perform at the Melkweg (Milky Way) in Amsterdam. One of the many benefits of living in The Hague (or Leiden) is that Amsterdam is only a short train...
View ArticleA Concert Marathon in the Netherlands
I realize maybe I should not write about music, bands or concerts since there have already been a lot of posts on this topic, but I just can’t. This November turned out to be quite crazy for me as a...
View ArticleBeer Cantus
One of the main complaints I hear from international students in Leiden, and in the Netherlands as a whole, is that it is not exactly easy to develop a friendship with Dutch students. The complaint...
View ArticleA meet – Between “Xaver” and Zwarte Piet
Since Sinterklaas is one of the most important events in the Dutch year, there have already been quite some posts about this lovely man. However, I wanted to share with you my personal meeting with him...
View ArticleFinally, a Concert in Den Haag
As a concert person, I feel quite ashamed to admit that I’ve never been to a concert here in Den Haag. Yep, I’ve been to Utrecht, Amsterdam, and even Groningen for concerts, yet I’ve never been to a...
View ArticleThose ‘crazy’ Southerners
Weird and wonderful costumes, an unlimited supply of strange Dutch pop music (complete with dance moves) and an excessive amount of beer characterised my weekend. I had decided to head down ‘South’ to...
View ArticleStudying while Swinging
I told my friends back home in China that my final assignment for one of my courses this block is to write five diary entries that contain creativity, imagination, and a certain level of knowledge...
View ArticleMirror music
I recently stumbled upon this amazing jazz bar/café, nestled away on a small street near de Burcht, called ’De Twee Spieghels’, or the two mirrors – although there are many more mirrors on the walls...
View ArticleHappy Record Store Day!
The past Saturday was not only the Easter holiday, but also the Record Store Day 2014. On this day, many bands and artists release limited special editions of their old songs and probably some new...
View ArticleGo Dutch Go Orange – Part One
Of course I had to write about King’s Day! And the night before! After I got admitted to Leiden, looking up events, carnivals, parties and quirky shops in Leiden, The Hague and Amsterdam became my new...
View ArticleTop 8 Free Music Festivals You Need to Check out This Summer
One of the best treats for a music lover here in the Netherlands is that there are quite a lot of festivals here – Best Kept Secret during this past weekend, Down The Rabbit Hole on the coming weekend,...
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