NewWorldOverland.ca

We came, we saw, I learned.

Melissa’s family, even before we left, was very curious of what I would think of Holland. Not because I am some kind of master of judgement and clairvoyance, but simply because I had never set foot outside of America before. Seeing something from fresh eyes is always exiciting, and sometimes educational as well. My brain was in a constant state of comparison, trying to understand it all by equating it to what I already know.

Very First Impressions

My first impression was jet lag. Anyone who goes overseas will feel the same thing to varying degrees, but I believe we handled it rather well, thanks to Melissa’s planning skills.

I have to go back a bit and mention what you see from the air. Britain from the air is a sharp contrast from Alberta, with its odd-shaped fields, spiderweb roads, and the occasional bump in terrain. London of course just goes by too fast for your eye to register the sheer size and complexity of it all. I was proud of myself in being able to quickly point out the river Thames, even from a middle seat, craning my neck to peer through a porthole 4 seats down. I guess burning my eyes out wandering Google Earth has paid off.

What a contrast from Alberta, Calgary, Edmonton and everything else I had seen of land. Alberta is young, vast, and planned with a ruler.

London through a porthole was my first glimpse of Europe. Even though I don’t consider rushing through Heathrow as having been there, the seed has been planted in my head that someday I will come back and see it from the ground.

Having the image of the haphazard English countryside fresh in my mind, seeing Holland on approach to Schipol Airport was yet another revelation. The dutch countryside is in fact different altogether. There is clearly more effort put into geometry here, and my virgin eyes could see some similarities with home. There are square fields and straight highways, though rows of wind generators and canals dividing the land reminded me that I was in a different world. The airport itself is nothing spectacular; I understand now that after some travel all airports look alike from the inside.

The Road System

Driving on Dutch highways is yet again familiar, however you get the feeling they have been at it for much longer than we have. The signs are easy to understand and the highway system in and around Amsterdam, not mention the rest of Holland, is exceptional. There is one purpose for the highways; to get where you need to go. No hotels, no diners, no used car dealerships, no rest stops. Your responsibility as a driver is to plan ahead. I think that Dutch drivers take highway driving seriously, at least more seriously than many Canadian drivers. There are posted speed limits in congested areas, and out of town the speed is 120 km/h. You are advised to follow these speeds; there are many speed cameras placed along the highways. Also, many of the ‘conveniences’ of Canadian driving are verboten, like talking on your cell phone. This is a serious offense, much like passing on the right. To do so is to risk a hefty penalty. Do I even need to mention seatbelts?

Speaking of penalties, those are not taken as lightly as at home (with the exception of photo radar). This is because it is much more difficult to get your license. You could say in Holland you earn your license, and in Canada you get your license. Not everyone can afford to own, drive and maintain a car, so it is indeed a privilege. Drinking and driving is a prime example; if you are a new driver, the legal limit is lower for you, to the point where having any alcohol in your system would be considered reckless.