Likes and dislikes of living in Holland

After 7 months living in Holland where is what I have enjoyed the most:

• Living with Renate of course but that is the point.
• No rush hour. Ok so this isn't a Dutch thing but I can wake up in the morning and be working at 7:30 without sitting in a car for 30-45 minutes.
• Biking pretty much everywhere. The movies, shopping for groceries, going to friends houses or even the forest.
• Different foods. Lots more interesting types of food to try both at the supermarket and dining our or at friends places. Fresh figs aren't $2.50.
• Being so close to everywhere else in Europe. Weekend trips to other countries.
• Meeting new people
• Learning all the subtle cultural differences (some not to subtle). I even went to a ballet :-)
• The great selection of beers on offer and of course better access to South African wines.
• Lack of chain stores - You can go to 20 towns and except for the supermarkets all the small shops are unique (unlike the malls in NZ).
• Terraces - The city centres are pretty much closed to traffic and every restaurant/bar has seating on the street.
• The streets are alive with street performers and artworks

 

...but there also some things I didn't like or missed:

• Being away from my friends, family and colleagues
• The hard water always coating the jug with calcium?
• The constant McDonald's signs whilst on the motorways. Its almost like McDonald's was the only company to get permission to put signs up above the height of buildings.
• Unable to have great Asian food
• Having to call an 0900 number and stay on hold to tell your Internet Service Provider (ISP) your Internet isn't working. Is there something wrong with this picture?
• Missing the New Zealand bush and mountains... a lot and the first thing I'll do when I get back.
• Only being able to buy small cuts of meat in vacuum packed containers.