kim
where are you originally from?
netherlands
people
how would you describe the people in your country?
down to earth and direct.
on a scale of 1–10, how well do people in your country speak english?
9.9
what’s a common word or expression people use in your country?
gezellig is a typical dutch word which has no proper translation in english. it’s somewhere in between cozy and sociable.
how do i say hello, thank you, please, and sorry in your language?
hallo / bedankt / alsjeblieft / sorry
what do people in your country usually do for fun?
a bit of both — relaxing and partying!
food
what’s the best local food to try? anything unusual?
most foreigners love our stroopwafels (cookies), poffertjes (small pancakes) and bitterballen (fried meat stuffed balls). if you’re more daring, try haring (raw fish), drop (licorice candy) or do a diagonaaltje (at the snackbar, you can get fried snacks out of the wall: start at the top on the left and work your way down to the bottom on the right).
what local drinks would you recommend trying?
jenever, not necessarily a nice drink. grannies like their advocaatje. i’d just stick to your regular drink of choice.
what’s a typical breakfast like in your country?
it’s plain and simple: a few slices of bread and coffee or tea. although we are moving more and more towards yoghurt with granola.
culture
what’s the best festival to attend?
lowlands
which sports are people in your country most passionate about?
soccer
what’s the craziest thing someone can do in your country?
taking an alpaca for a walk.
places
is there a lesser-known place you’d recommend? maybe a secret spot?
i studied in breda for a little while and love the city for its atmosphere.
where can visitors find the best beaches?
i enjoy bergen aan zee for its laidback vibe, bloemendaal for a bit of a party vibe and scheveningen is really trying to revamp and get rid of its old-fashioned image.
if i’m staying for less than a week, which city should i choose?
amsterdam. for obvious reasons, but also because you can easily visit the beach, haarlem, utrecht and other dutch cities.
country
what is your country’s most popular stereotype/cliché?
everyone in amsterdam is always stoned. not true!
travel
do you travel often? what’s your favorite place so far?
yes, totally in love with central and south america
what do you love most about traveling?
because it’s an amazing opportunity to do, see, eat, drink, feel something or meet someone new every day.
about kim
instagram: @kimstagrammmmm
website/blog: http://www.kimopreis.nl is a dutch travel blog about little and big adventures in and outside the netherlands
e-mail: info@kimopreis.nl