The end of summer

Summer is over in Holland.

And I don't just mean weather wise (that's a given).

It is easy to see, this clear distinction between summer vacation and fall. I began to notice it about two weeks ago, but very abruptly this week. Thousands of Dutchies flee the country in the 6 week period from early-July to end of August. Probably most of them flee to southern France. That seems to be the escape route of Dutchies. In mid-July, all you hear about on the news are the endless traffic jams, miles and miles long, in Germany and France, going south.

But in the last two weeks, the trains to and from work have been getting fuller. Its harder to get a seat to myself again. The car traffic in the mornings is picking up. Its getting more dangerous riding my bike again! More kids are on the sidewalks at 815am, riding to school next to Dutchie-mom , who is also hauling two toddlers on her own bike. Grocery stores are getting more packed full of people again. summer sales are over, and the saturday market is getting busier every weekend.

Its clear to see that summer is over. Back to life-as-usual in Holland. Basketball is beginning, and the busy times ensue. And looking forward to next summer's vacation when all will be calm again, here on the home front.