{"id":1599,"date":"2025-07-13T16:45:36","date_gmt":"2025-07-13T16:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/accidentalmexpat.com\/?p=1599"},"modified":"2026-09-14T21:37:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T21:37:32","slug":"family-and-friends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/accidentalmexpat.com\/?p=1599","title":{"rendered":"Family and Friends"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A complete change of pace. Nothing was scheduled except the visits. And they were great visits!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First stop not far from Assen to see my cousin and his family. It has been years, but felt like no time at all. I had some solo adventures, and we had some family fun. It was wonderful!! \ud83d\udc95<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7am, no tea, Dance Party 2021 with a 7 year old<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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SUP with family<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Doctora and her guide<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Doctora learns to paddle board<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Biking to Amersfoort: HUGE Queen Anne’s lace<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Gelato for the kids at Mondrian house<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Mondrian house<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Picturesque Amersfoort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Entering Amersfoort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Biking made us hungry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kids and hot summer days<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Second stop, Belgium, to see a friend from Egypt. We figured it had been 16 years since we had last seen each other. Again it was like no time had passed. We visited Gent and Antwerp and had a great time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Looking.up into the tower of the Gent cathedral<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Gulden Drak from the top of the Belfry (also the name of a Belgian beer)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View from the Belfry to Gent cathedral<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kids in the Belfry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dahab Amiga in the Belfry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Gent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
GENT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Delicious ramen in Gent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The ramen place has their own wit beer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Westvleteran 12 for the Basha – IYKYK<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The kids wouldn’t let the Westvleteran cap go.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Gent food<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We went to Antwerp on a typical rainy Belgian Sunday. We went to the KMSKA – Royal Museum of Fine Art. HIGHLY recommended – a traditional art museum with a sense of whimsy and fun. Great juxtaposition of old masters and modern art. I haven’t had so much fun in an art museum in years! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Interesting balcony!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Looking up in the art museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Cafe Horta – oysters!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Fancy avo toast<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All in all both visits were a smashing success. It was wonderful to reconnect with people, try new things, laugh, and relax. Shifting gears after the two race weekends was a great choice!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A complete change of pace. Nothing was scheduled except the visits. And they were great visits! First stop not far from Assen to see my cousin and his family. It has been years, but felt like no time at all. I had some solo adventures, and we had some family fun. It was wonderful!! \ud83d\udc95 Second stop, Belgium, to see a friend from Egypt. We figured it had been 16 years since we had last seen each other. Again it…<\/p>\n

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