The Netherlands have always been the one place I've wanted to go. Then, having the Friesians in my life, I wanted to go even more. Then, hearing that Piterke's son, Thorn, had made it to round 2 of stallion testing at the stallion show, the main Friesian event each year, I can't explain how badly I wanted that dream to be a reality. To get to be there in person cheering him on and sharing the excitement. What a dream come true that would be.
Well, the dream came true. It's amazing how God worked it all out from start to finish. From Shane getting me a buddy pass for my flight to Kris offering me a place to stay with her some nights and Ria and Wendy as tour guides, it all fell into place. I thought it was all shattered though, when I got to the aiport to fly out and they told me to go home. They said they were way overbooked and I was flying standby, so there was no way I was getting on the plane. Well, I figured that I definately wouldn't be able to go, if I didn't try. So, I waited and waited and was able to get on the both planes. First from Raleigh to Philly and then first class from Philly to Amsterdam. It was amazing.
After a long, but relaxing all night flight, Ria and Keith Johnson picked me up at the airport in Amsterdam and we were off. We traveled through Noord-Holland, across the Afsluitdijk to the province of Friesland, where we had lunch. Then we continued on our way to Wytmarsum to visit Pieter and Tiety Okkema. This was the perfect way to start the trip because Pieter and Tiety is who we bought our Piterke from, so it was wonderful to meet them face to face. They're the most wonderful people who treated me like family from the very first time we met.
At Pieter and Tiety's I got to meet Mysterious, Piterke's daughter and Thorn, Piterke's son. We got to have coffee and talk with Tiety while Pieter was at work and decided we'd come back again the next day.
So, we went to the hotel to get checked in and then Wendy came and met us for dinner in Heerenveen. We had a fabulous meal in a wonderful village. But, after a long trip and a long day, I was exhausted and ready for some sleep. Though, it's not easy getting to sleep when you're as excited as I was. We had big plans for the next day visiting Jakob and Orik and going on a carriage ride with Pieter.