Oranje !

My first reaction to the dutch weather was that of a shock. There was sunshine littered all round. We have been asked over and over again to bring woolens and with this weather i regretted leaving my t-shirts behind. So a little perturbed i made my way to the baggage counter, where my worst fears made a retreat. What if my luggage isn't really arriving. I noticed a sign for the collection of inappropriately shaped luggage and wondered whether mine would qualify in the same. I rambled here and there. Time passed to no avail.

Finally from the corner of my eye i saw two huge bags coming my way. Relieved i moved to the arrival hall. And then i met the first dutch person of my life or should i say the first dutch chick, our very own University Pickup Service! And as someone said first impression is the last impression. Teething with excitement, blunt, continuously laughing, extremely affable and endowed with ample assets [:P] . For my friends in India who would be salivating by now, my apologies for not having her picture. [;)]

On the first appearance, a dutch station screams of neatness and efficiency. Colorful trains hobbling along like in Disneyland.




We somehow just managed to catch the train with a hell lot of luggage. But that meant that we didn't find any seats. Standing just next to the door of the driver's compartment we sat on our luggage and prayed that it was not illegal to stand in the train. And i had the realization that Indians can make every country their own..sitting on oversized luggage on compartment doors..:P

The train ride was scenic, interspersed with green pastures, blue rivulets and small wooden buildings.



The small hillocks and bricked houses seemed to be straight out of a Enid Blyton book.

I tuned in to the soundtrack of Udaan.

Aankhon Ke Pardon Pe Pyaara Sa Jo Tha Woh Nazaara
Dhuan Sa Ban Kar Udh Gaya Ab Na Raha
Baithe The Hum Toh
Khabon Ke Chaahon Ke Tale
Chodh Ke Unko Jaane Kaha Ko Chale

It felt as if time passed in small fractions. The moment seemed perfect, both pristine and serene!

And we neared Maastricht, our abode for the next 4 months.