This was another man I dated who left a lasting impact. It has been so long that I can’t remember how we met. It was probably online. We did a lot of chatting on ICQ–the predominant chat service on the internet at the time. It was also quite popular in Europe. We talked over the phone a few time, but then moved on to talking over the internet using a program that predates Skype but did the same thing. It was very unreliable.

I arranged to travel to the Netherlands over Christmas while I was in graduate school. I spent two weeks there. My jet lag was terrible, so he gave me a book. It was Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. This was also around the time when BBC/A&E came out with their program. The paperback was rather well-used and had his name in it. Obviously, he had to read it for some class. He talked up the story enough that I felt I should read it.

I had never read any of Austen’s books. I think he was appalled. I wasn’t that fond of the book in the beginning, but I needed something to do besides lie in bed awake. I finished the book once I got home. I still have the book, and it looks even more used. I have read Pride and Prejudice every year around Christmas since then. I love the story. The BBC/A&E production is the best.

The Dutch are rather interesting. They speak at least four languages fluently. I have no idea how they do it. I confuse Spanish and French. I hunt for the French word and come up with Spanish instead. They also swear in English in the middle of speaking Dutch. I loved how they had a “live and let live” attitude. For about a week, I lost my preoccupation with my looks. The Dutch just don’t worry about appearances like Americans.

I also came back with a Dutch accent, which lasted a month. My friends made fun of me for it. It wouldn’t have mattered where I went though. I pick up accents easily.

I also got a love of Gouda cheese. No one does Gouda like you get in the Netherlands.