After beginning 2016 with hopeful hearts that we would continue our life together in the States in the spring, we endured devastation as Pieter was considered inadmissible by U.S. border control in May. This was our lowest point of the year, but we were able to push forward and make the most of the moments we were able to spend together in 2016.
I would have never imagined I would get the opportunity to travel to so many different countries, but because of our unfortunate circumstances we were able to visit Paris, France; Cologne, Germany; and Agadir, Morocco. I have become quite the expert at packing suitcases, moving in and out of rental homes, booking airline tickets, and maneuvering through airports.
My favorite traveling companion, Pieter, has become an experienced travel planner. I have never seen someone so handy with a map. He organized all of our trips and the adventures we went on. It took us four hours to get to Paris, France in July. This was an eye-opening first excursion out of my comfort zone, but it made me want to travel more. While in Paris, we celebrated my 23rd birthday with a river cruise, sightseeing to Notre Dame, the Sacre Ceur, and the Eifel tower.
A magical trip to the Efteling theme park was our first big trip together, not including our time spent in Amsterdam at Easter. Highlights from that trip were the amazing continental breakfast at the hotel, the unique fairy tale decor of the Efteling hotel, waiting in line for an hour to ride a roller coaster that lasted 5 seconds, and feeling like children again as we took in the wonder of the theme park.
During our time apart in the fall Pieter and I worked on planning a trip to go on in the winter. We had considered visiting Spain, Iceland, Ireland, or Norway, but somehow settled on a trip to Morocco!
Agadir, Morocco was like no place I had ever visited. We took advantage of every day we had there and enjoyed relaxing by the pool, an authentic Moroccan dinner for two, camel riding and dune buggying through the desert, a traditional Hammam couples massage, and a tour of the impoverished villages in the countryside in the Atlas mountains. Many memories were made that we will look back on for years to come. I am so thankful we were able to go on this special adventure together.
Back at home in the Netherlands it was time for me to begin packing my bags to return to my life in the States. I am now back home til the end of March. I am ending this challenging year with a positive and grateful attitude. As always, I have BIG PLANS for the new year. The year 2017 will come with a lot of gradual changes and more hopeful waiting, but I am anticipating more personal growth and lifelong memories to be made!
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| Happy New Year! |
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