December has always been a time for me to reflect on the past year's events, but it seems even more poignant with this month marking the anniversary of our move to the Netherlands. We have now lived abroad for 2 full years. While the U.S. is no less dear in our hearts, Wassenaar has come to seem like home. After all, home is where the heart is. Instead of going home to the U.S., now we go there for vacation. This year we'll remain in the Netherlands for the holidays and finally unpack the fake tree and decorate it with the few Christmas ornaments that are not in storage. We'll miss celebrating with our American family and friends, but will enjoy the new traditions created by staying here.
For all of you who hate receiving the "Year in Review" Christmas letter, I've now created it in blog form. Perhaps you'll enjoy the format more and will follow the Rider family's adventures over the past year.
Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season and all the best for the coming New Year! Prettige Kerstdagen en Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!
(click on the pictures to enlarge)
BEST of 2008
BEST--------------------------New Year's Eve
Holland is the only place to be for an explosive celebration. Fireworks are legal for individuals only once a year from 10am on Dec. 31 until 3am on Jan. 1, so the Dutch take full advantage of this fact. Afterall, there is no better way to welcome the New Year than setting off your own pyrotechnics display. For the uninitiated, it may seem like WWIII!
__________________________________________________________
BEST---------------Way to enjoy the Austrian Alps in Winter
Soaking up the rays in a beach chair on a snowfield at the top of a mountain is my dream come true of combining a ski vacation with one at the beach. I had the most enjoyable February break with Ian and Jonathan in Kitzbuehl and Obertauern, Austria. While the boys skied/snowboarded to their hearts' content, the only hardship I suffered was waiting in line for hot chocolate and hoping my chair wasn't taken by some exhausted skier.
__________________________________________________________
BEST------------------Mosque in Morocco for a non-Muslim to visit
The Hassan II mosque in Casablanca is the 3rd largest mosque in the world with the highest minaret at 200m and the only one in Morocco open to non-Muslims. It is a magnificent structure with its intricate carvings, mosaic tiles, and marble. 15,000 Muslims can pray inside and 80,000 in the courtyard outside, though its capacity is reached only during Ramadan. It even has a retractable roof to air out this non-air-conditioned building.
Jonathan and I were the first in the family to experience Africa and a Muslim country. In February we traveled with school to Morocco where the Middle School Honor Band Festival was being held at the American School of Rabat. Jonathan mainly rehearsed with one day of sightseeing in Rabat, but I had the opportunity to visit Casablanca and Fes.
The tanneries in Old City Fes, which dates back to the 9th century, haven't changed in a thousand years or more. The sight and stench are both unbelievable.
_____________________________________
BEST-------------------------- REFRESHING DRINK
An ICE COLD soda was served to us in the Western Desert by an enterprising Bedouin while we sat perched atop our camels baking in the sun and gazing at the pyramids. 
Here we are refreshed and cheering for Coca Cola!
Our short camel trek behind the Giza Pyramids was the highlight of our trip to Egypt in March over Spring Break. We spent 2 days sightseeing in Cairo and then took a 4 day Nile River Cruise.
BEST-------------------------------COSTUME
Yes, we partook in the frivolity on the boat on Egyptian Night.
________________________________________
BEST------------------------------Way to go GREEN
Not having a valid driver's license means bicycling is the only way to go. Despite Ian being 16, he doesn't seem to mind not being able to drive. He's compensated by the fact that he is now of legal drinking age in NL. The bus system also allows the kids freedom from Mom's taxi which no longer exists.
_________________________________________________________
BEST---------------------------Pottery
Forget the blue and white Delftware. The expats serve their guests on Polishware. The novices go to the warehouse in Nijkerk, NL for their goods, but the real collectors go directly to the source-the factories in Boleslawiec, Poland, just across the border from Germany and only a short 9 hour drive from Wassenaar. The weekend roadtrip with 9 other moms from ASH was as much fun as the shopping, so it's only my family that I can't stand to be in the car with for more than 5 hours.
_____________________________________________
BEST-----------------------------ROPES COURSE
Jonathan was a real expert on the ropes course at Parc Aventure in Aigle, Switzerland. His 8th grade project trip in May was a 4 day adventure camp in Leysin, Switzerland where the kids enjoyed rafting, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, and a ropes course challenge. No parent chaperones, but only teachers who should get hazard pay for enduring this yearly 14 hour bus ride.
_________________________________________________
BEST------------------------------Sushi
While raw herring may not have the sophistication of sushi, it is an integral part of Dutch history and a delicacy to some. Vlaggetjesdag Scheveningen is a festival held on the first Saturday in June celebrating the arrival of the "Hollandse Nieuwe".
______________________________________________________
BEST------------------------Glacier in Europe
Nigards Glacier is the largest and most accessible arm of the Jostedalbreen ice cap in Norway. It was a fantastic experience to take the Blue Ice Walk with a certified guide across the glacier in June. The boys, grandma, grandpa, and mom all strapped on crampons, tied ourselves to the guide and the rest of the group, and grabbed our ice picks. Before we could reconsider this adventure (especially grandma who was really having second thoughts), we were hiking straight up, jumping over crevasses, and passing under ice arches.
___________________________________________________
BEST-------------------------------HIKE
The Osterbo to Vassbygdi Hike in Aurlandsdalen, Norway is absolutely magnificent and measured in time (6-7 hours), not distance. The trail begins at 820m above sea level and follows the rugged landscape along the canyon walls to the valley and river below at 68m above sea level.
__________________________________________________________
BEST--------------------------------SUNSET
Santorini, Greece is known for its sensational sunsets across the caldera. I'm getting jaded in my travels, so am not sure it was worth the extra travel time just to see a sunset. The daytime temperatures during our time in July on this island were hovering around 110F. By the time we arrived in Athens, it felt like a cool spell with temperatures only in the upper 90's. At least we didn't have to worry about rain spoiling our week's vacation in Greece.
___________________________________________________________
BEST---------------------------Escape from the Family
Taking a week's vacation without the family was a new and rewarding experience for me. I spent the most enjoyable, if not always relaxing, vacation week in August touring Latvia by foot, bike, and canoe with 5 other ASH moms. Two days were spent in Riga, the capital, sightseeing while the adventure part of the tour was spent cycling and canoeing through the Gauja National Park.
____________________________________________________
BEST------------------------------Golf Course in Holland
Koninklijke Haagsche Golf & CC is located practically in our backyard. Matt finally got the opportunity to play this private course twice this year, though his enjoyment was hampered by his sore shoulder. The typical Dutch weather of wind and rain makes the links through the dunes of the North Sea coastline all the more challenging.
____________________________________________________
BEST---------------------------------Strategic Fortifications
The Luxembourg Casemates once consisted of 25km (16miles) of underground tunnels in the cliffs above which the city is perched overlooking the Alzette and Petrusse river valleys. Only about 10% of the original works exists today. We took a quick weekend jaunt to see this fortified city in October and also to see Jonathan perform with the Honor Jazz Band at the International School of Luxembourg.
_____________________________________________________
BEST-------------------------------Sightseeing in London
The red double decker busses don't move very fast in the traffic, but are great for avoiding the crowds on the sidewalk, perfect for people watching and sightseeing, and a respite for tired feet. In October my mother and I spent 4 days at the end of a week reliving English history in modern day London while Jonathan spent the beginning of the week participating in an ASH Jazz Band Workshop at the American School of London. We met briefly in the middle and were able to see an impromptu concert at the school.
________________________________________________________
BEST---------------------------Way to Travel without the Family
By participating in Cross Country and Track, Ian was able to visit the other international schools in the neighboring countries and house with the students from those schools. In November Ian's cross country team came in second place overall out of 13 schools competing in the International Schools' Sports Tournament in Munich.
___________________________________________________
BEST-----------------------------------Christmas Present
Being together as a family and benefiting from living the expat life in the Netherlands is absolutely wonderful.
Holland is the only place to be for an explosive celebration. Fireworks are legal for individuals only once a year from 10am on Dec. 31 until 3am on Jan. 1, so the Dutch take full advantage of this fact. Afterall, there is no better way to welcome the New Year than setting off your own pyrotechnics display. For the uninitiated, it may seem like WWIII!__________________________________________________________
BEST---------------Way to enjoy the Austrian Alps in Winter
Soaking up the rays in a beach chair on a snowfield at the top of a mountain is my dream come true of combining a ski vacation with one at the beach. I had the most enjoyable February break with Ian and Jonathan in Kitzbuehl and Obertauern, Austria. While the boys skied/snowboarded to their hearts' content, the only hardship I suffered was waiting in line for hot chocolate and hoping my chair wasn't taken by some exhausted skier.
__________________________________________________________
BEST------------------Mosque in Morocco for a non-Muslim to visit
The Hassan II mosque in Casablanca is the 3rd largest mosque in the world with the highest minaret at 200m and the only one in Morocco open to non-Muslims. It is a magnificent structure with its intricate carvings, mosaic tiles, and marble. 15,000 Muslims can pray inside and 80,000 in the courtyard outside, though its capacity is reached only during Ramadan. It even has a retractable roof to air out this non-air-conditioned building.
Jonathan and I were the first in the family to experience Africa and a Muslim country. In February we traveled with school to Morocco where the Middle School Honor Band Festival was being held at the American School of Rabat. Jonathan mainly rehearsed with one day of sightseeing in Rabat, but I had the opportunity to visit Casablanca and Fes. 
The tanneries in Old City Fes, which dates back to the 9th century, haven't changed in a thousand years or more. The sight and stench are both unbelievable.
_____________________________________
BEST-------------------------- REFRESHING DRINK
An ICE COLD soda was served to us in the Western Desert by an enterprising Bedouin while we sat perched atop our camels baking in the sun and gazing at the pyramids. 
Here we are refreshed and cheering for Coca Cola! Our short camel trek behind the Giza Pyramids was the highlight of our trip to Egypt in March over Spring Break. We spent 2 days sightseeing in Cairo and then took a 4 day Nile River Cruise.
BEST-------------------------------COSTUME
Yes, we partook in the frivolity on the boat on Egyptian Night.________________________________________
BEST------------------------------Way to go GREEN
Not having a valid driver's license means bicycling is the only way to go. Despite Ian being 16, he doesn't seem to mind not being able to drive. He's compensated by the fact that he is now of legal drinking age in NL. The bus system also allows the kids freedom from Mom's taxi which no longer exists.
_________________________________________________________
BEST---------------------------Pottery
Forget the blue and white Delftware. The expats serve their guests on Polishware. The novices go to the warehouse in Nijkerk, NL for their goods, but the real collectors go directly to the source-the factories in Boleslawiec, Poland, just across the border from Germany and only a short 9 hour drive from Wassenaar. The weekend roadtrip with 9 other moms from ASH was as much fun as the shopping, so it's only my family that I can't stand to be in the car with for more than 5 hours._____________________________________________
BEST-----------------------------ROPES COURSE
Jonathan was a real expert on the ropes course at Parc Aventure in Aigle, Switzerland. His 8th grade project trip in May was a 4 day adventure camp in Leysin, Switzerland where the kids enjoyed rafting, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, and a ropes course challenge. No parent chaperones, but only teachers who should get hazard pay for enduring this yearly 14 hour bus ride._________________________________________________
BEST------------------------------Sushi
While raw herring may not have the sophistication of sushi, it is an integral part of Dutch history and a delicacy to some. Vlaggetjesdag Scheveningen is a festival held on the first Saturday in June celebrating the arrival of the "Hollandse Nieuwe".
______________________________________________________
BEST------------------------Glacier in Europe
Nigards Glacier is the largest and most accessible arm of the Jostedalbreen ice cap in Norway. It was a fantastic experience to take the Blue Ice Walk with a certified guide across the glacier in June. The boys, grandma, grandpa, and mom all strapped on crampons, tied ourselves to the guide and the rest of the group, and grabbed our ice picks. Before we could reconsider this adventure (especially grandma who was really having second thoughts), we were hiking straight up, jumping over crevasses, and passing under ice arches.
___________________________________________________
BEST-------------------------------HIKE
The Osterbo to Vassbygdi Hike in Aurlandsdalen, Norway is absolutely magnificent and measured in time (6-7 hours), not distance. The trail begins at 820m above sea level and follows the rugged landscape along the canyon walls to the valley and river below at 68m above sea level.
__________________________________________________________
BEST--------------------------------SUNSET
Santorini, Greece is known for its sensational sunsets across the caldera. I'm getting jaded in my travels, so am not sure it was worth the extra travel time just to see a sunset. The daytime temperatures during our time in July on this island were hovering around 110F. By the time we arrived in Athens, it felt like a cool spell with temperatures only in the upper 90's. At least we didn't have to worry about rain spoiling our week's vacation in Greece.
___________________________________________________________
BEST---------------------------Escape from the Family
Taking a week's vacation without the family was a new and rewarding experience for me. I spent the most enjoyable, if not always relaxing, vacation week in August touring Latvia by foot, bike, and canoe with 5 other ASH moms. Two days were spent in Riga, the capital, sightseeing while the adventure part of the tour was spent cycling and canoeing through the Gauja National Park.
____________________________________________________
BEST------------------------------Golf Course in Holland
Koninklijke Haagsche Golf & CC is located practically in our backyard. Matt finally got the opportunity to play this private course twice this year, though his enjoyment was hampered by his sore shoulder. The typical Dutch weather of wind and rain makes the links through the dunes of the North Sea coastline all the more challenging.____________________________________________________
BEST---------------------------------Strategic Fortifications
The Luxembourg Casemates once consisted of 25km (16miles) of underground tunnels in the cliffs above which the city is perched overlooking the Alzette and Petrusse river valleys. Only about 10% of the original works exists today. We took a quick weekend jaunt to see this fortified city in October and also to see Jonathan perform with the Honor Jazz Band at the International School of Luxembourg.
_____________________________________________________
BEST-------------------------------Sightseeing in London
The red double decker busses don't move very fast in the traffic, but are great for avoiding the crowds on the sidewalk, perfect for people watching and sightseeing, and a respite for tired feet. In October my mother and I spent 4 days at the end of a week reliving English history in modern day London while Jonathan spent the beginning of the week participating in an ASH Jazz Band Workshop at the American School of London. We met briefly in the middle and were able to see an impromptu concert at the school.
________________________________________________________
BEST---------------------------Way to Travel without the Family
By participating in Cross Country and Track, Ian was able to visit the other international schools in the neighboring countries and house with the students from those schools. In November Ian's cross country team came in second place overall out of 13 schools competing in the International Schools' Sports Tournament in Munich.
___________________________________________________
BEST-----------------------------------Christmas Present
Being together as a family and benefiting from living the expat life in the Netherlands is absolutely wonderful.
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