themuffulettaisalsoaverygoodsandwich
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We immigrated to the Netherlands. 5/7 stars, highly recommended. My son checked this book out of the local library to help me learn Dutch.
I already made it through the first four pages. I learned that some steam locomotives had a zandkoeppel, which allowed the train to drop sand onto the tracks to increase traction. Zand=sand. Koeppel=cupola. It's literally a dome on the top of the train that holds sand.
In a few weeks we're taking the NightJet train from Amsterdam to Innsbruck in Austria, then some other trains south into Italy. Speaking as a 48 yr old man, I'm excited to spend the night on the train. And I'm excited about taking trains through the Alps. When we were planning, I asked my family if they wanted to take a two hour plane trip directly there, or an overnight train trip with a bunch of connections. The vote was unanimous for the train.
Radar chilling on a sunny afternoon in Noord Holland. His anxiety is getting better since we left the Verenigde Staten.
DutchBoeremeisie
Welkom in Nederland!
I love the night train - hope everything goes smoothly, although the connections are always a bit stressful. Fijne vakantie gewenst!
CitrusyGarlic
It's so hard to try to read Dutch as someone who has already learned German because it just reads like someone has written something in Kindergarten-level German.
themuffulettaisalsoaverygoodsandwich
German, Dutch, and English are sister languages. With Dutch both geographically and figuratively between German and English. To me, German is ridiculously over-engineered, and English is wildly unpredictable. Dutch is a pragmatic language, and I like it a lot. But sometimes they use constructions that I just do not understand.
Kimmykix
Ik ben Nederlands aan het leren* There, fixed your title for you with better Dutch. Sincerely: Another former American that moved to Noord-Holland 2.5 years ago. :)
themuffulettaisalsoaverygoodsandwich
Bedankt! What did you do to learn Dutch? Right now I'm just going to the local Taalcafe and a lot of Google Translate.
Kimmykix
I started with Duolingo a few years ago, but it's definitely not enough in itself to properly learn, but for the past couple years I've been going to a local Dutch language school as part of my inburgering, and that has of course helped massively. I have my exams over the next few months, so hopefully I'll be completed with my language learning before the end of the year, and be eligible for citizenship!
Kimmykix
Also I have to ask, What's the roundabout price for that night train you're planning? My dream is to take the very same type of train, to the alps someday.
themuffulettaisalsoaverygoodsandwich
We booked a private compartment for the three of us to share. All-in price was like 360 EUR from Amsterdam to Innsbruck. Lots of different options, but the prices surprised me. Quite affordable. https://www.nightjet.com/
Kimmykix
Wow, that's not bad! I need to keep this in mind, thanks! :)
CouldntCakeLess
Are you not into Treinen?!
themuffulettaisalsoaverygoodsandwich
"Houd je niet van treinen?" you can almost hear russell crow saying it
CouldntCakeLess
Nice!
madjo
Ik denk dat je zandkoepel met 1 P bedoelt. Koeppel is geen bestaand woord in het Nederlands.
madjo
Het zou ook een zandkoppel kunnen zijn, maar dan is het geen sand cupola, but a sand coupler.