3, 2, 1... Takeoff

"The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting." - Andy Warhol

After several meetings, a couple semi-stressful flight changes, and countless anxious glances at our numerous countdown apps, they're finally here: the final three days before we take off for Amsterdam. There's something about reaching the three-day mark of any long wait that makes it all seem real, like it's actually going to happen rather than being some far off if-everything-goes-well possibility. Maybe something in our psyche or biology kicks off at the 72 hour mark (probably not), but even if that were the case, as an English and art major I couldn't tell you anything about it. 

Since I'm already bringing up details like my studies, I might as well introduce myself. I'm Sara, a current junior at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, and I'll be traveling to the Netherlands and Germany this J-Term with three other students: Emma, Kennedy and Tessa, as well as our wonderful professor and native Netherlander, Dr. Paul Tegels. While there, we will see numerous cities in both the Netherlands and Germany, visit churches and museums focusing on organs and art, have the opportunity to experience a homestay in the Netherlands, and even fend for ourselves for a few days in an apartment in Germany. Of course, that's only the short list. If you'd like to see our whole itinerary, you're in luck! It's at the bottom of this post.

While our program only last two weeks, it's packed tighter than my carry-on will be, and I know it will be an experience that -warning: incoming cliché- will stay me and my peers for a lifetime. As typical as that sounds, I know it will be true. This will be my first time visiting Europe, and too many exited thoughts are rushing through my mind to say anything else coherent. So, until January 7th, I'll just have to revel in the excitement of anticipation and keep up my mantra of "3 days, 2 days,1 day..." until I can finally say it: takeoff. 
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J-Term in the Netherlands and Germany Itinerary (2016):

Thursday January 7:
Depart form SeaTac Airport to Amsterdam

Friday January 8:
8:15am - arrive in Amsterdam; Visit Nieuwe Kerk*, Ons Lieve Heer op Solder and Oude Kerk
*Kerk is Dutch for "Church," so you'll be seeing that a lot.

Saturday January 9: 
Visit the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum

Sunday January 10: 
Visit Anne Frank House
2:15pm: Concert at the Concertgebouw the Concertgebouw Orchestra
(Possibly a canal tour this day, too!)

Monday January 11:
Visit to Grote Kerk, Oosthuizen, Gothic organ, artwork in church
Visit to Mariakerk, in Krewerd, NLD
Overnight in the fortress* of Bourtange, NLD

*You read that correctly; we're staying in a fortress (pictured above).

Tuesday January 12:
Visit Grote Kerk Noordbroek
Cross into Germany, continue to Lüdingworth, visit Andreaskirche
Drive to Hamburg, (with stop in Stade)
Check into apartment in Hamburg

Wednesday January 13:
Travel to Lübeck, GER, visit Marienkirche, Holsten Gate, and St. Anne’s Museum Quarter

Thursday January 14:
Travel to Lüneburg, GER, visit Johanneskirche, old downtown, visit to a museum of choice: 
(Brewery museum, Salt museum, Art museum with different exhibitions)

Friday January 15:
Travel to Berlin, GER

Saturday January 16:
Day in Hamburg; Rathaus (town hall), Hamburger Kunsthalle (art museum)

Sunday January 17:
Drive to Zutphen, NLD
Homestay in Zutphen

Monday January 18:
Visit old town of Zutphen, Walburgkerk
Visit the town of Nijmegen, NLD, (Stevenskerk, Museum Het Valkhof)
Return to Zutphen for homestay

Tuesday January 19: 
Drive to Haarlem, NLD, visit Bavokerk and Frans Hals Museum

Wednesday January 20: 
Free day (visit Amsterdam, Utrecht (mechanical instrument museum); The Hague (Mauritshuis, Vredespaleis (Peace Palace), or other places?

Thursday January 21:
Depart from Amsterdam Airport to Seattle