First Try, First Post

Hi.  This is my first experience with something like this.  I have lived in The Netherlands (NL) for a total of four and a half years; three years from 1998 to 2001 and my current assignment.  Somethings are very easy to do in NL but most things are hard.  Most Dutch people speak fair to excellent English so that helps a great deal when you first get here.  But the Dutch are very business-like and they have rules and procedures for everything and nothing gets done on the spot.  So you have to plan, make appointments, and it is best to have someone knowledgeable to help you out.  My last PCS (Permanent Change of Station) was an absolute nightmare.  My goal with this blog is to help people arrive and integrate as quickly and painlessly as possible.  Then we will talk about fun and interesting things to do while you are here.  Sitting in your house drinking beer and watching AFN (Armed Forces Network) television is a terrible waste of your opportunity here.  Get out and see the country and the surrounding countries of Germany, Belgium, and France.