Utrecht, The Netherlands

We are in The Netherlands this week, where I presented some recent research at a conference. It was a tough choice to decide exactly how to handle it--it was an honor to be selected for the conference, but leaving a breastfed baby behind for days at a time isn't easy, even in the days of pumps and whatnot. And traveling internationally with an infant and no spouse was pretty much not even a consideration in my book. So we ended up making it a big 'ole family vacation to The Netherlands, where dollars are worth nothing and most words are so long you need a nap in the middle of reading a street sign.

Monroe, bored into a stupor by my presentation.

Thankfully, my presentation was on the first day of the conference so I've been able to relax since then and enjoy The Netherlands. Today's sessions were devoted to a topic I'm not interested in, so other than a brief stop at the university to see a friend present, we've been exploring the city!

To make the whole thing more baby-friendly,we got a short-term apartment instead of a conventional hotel. This means we can stock the fridge for snacks after she goes to sleep, we've got multiple rooms for her to explore or for us to hang out in while she's napping or whatever, and we've got LAUNDRY right here in the flat. Plus, this puts us right in the middle of a cool neighborhood where we feel like we're getting the authentic dutch experience.

Eben at the door to our apartment, which is the 3rd and 4th floor of this building

The view from our roof top.

Just down the street from us is the Dom, by far the most famous sight of Utrecht. It's a Gothic cathedral partially destroyed by a hurricane around 1675. So now the body of the church (here) and the bell tower (visible from my roof) aren't connected any more. It is so amazing to be in a place that's old enough that when someone mentions "the big hurricane" they are talking about one that took place more than 300 years ago...

Domkerk

We wondered if we'd spend the trip wishing we had made the trip pre-baby... or if it would be more stressful than it was fun. But it has been great so far. In fact, I think the interesting and beautiful surroundings couldn't be more appreciated than by a parent who is destined to walk and walk and walk so her little one can nap in her stroller! At least we get to do that here!

A beautiful nap/stroll

We head for Amsterdam in on Saturday when my conference is complete. We'll stay until Wednesday when we will have spent all our energy and most of our nearly useless dollars. :-)