What is everyday life like for a citizen of the Netherlands? Let's ask Manon, my roommate. She loves to travel, but having grown up here, she is also a great source of local knowledge.
My full name is Manon Saffo Kolsteren.
I live in Zaandam in the Netherlands. It is just north of Amsterdam, about 15 minutes by train. I live on a cute street of tiny houses that look just like mine. On the bottom floor is a living room, a kitchen and the bathroom. My room and Mackenzie's room are on the smaller second floor. We have a backyard with a shed and small garden.
I have a mother, Biergitte (Beer-hit-a), a father, Steven, and a brother, Thales (Tal-us). They live in Groningen, which is two and a half hours north of Amsterdam by car. It is one of the most northern points in the Netherlands.
In Zaandam, where we live, I ride my bike around or to the train station. I will take the train to work every day, then walk 10 minutes from the station to my office. Also, I have a car! If I am going further than Amsterdam, I may drive. Sometimes, when I have a lot of groceries, I will take the car to the grocery store, which is only about five minutes away.
