Appingedam: The Kloosterhof House

I got picked up by my cousin Afien Kloosterhof and her son, Yang-soo at the Appingedam train-station. This was the first time I have ever met this 2nd cousin of mine! Actually I had just met my 1st cousin but a week or so before this.

We went to their home not 5 minutes from the station.

Awaiting at the Kloosterhof house were my cousin-in-law (ha!) Henk (Afien's husband), and my OTHER 2nd cousin Ming Yung. Who i found out plays a gigantic xylophone... but wooden. I am sure it has a proper name, but really its a giant wooden xylophone.



We had some coffee, some snacks and a lot of great conversation.





If you're wondering... "hey those dont sound like very dutch names!" ...well you're a genius! They aren't. Both of my 2nd cousins were adopted korean born children. But they have been raised in the netherlands, and you couldnt tell me they're not dutch. Actually Yang soo is an aspiring council member in his hometown! And very proud to be dutch. I greeted them in Korean, and Yang-soo had no idea what I was saying. To be fair, if someone said hi to me in dutch a few months ago, I wouldnt have had clue either. lol.

Its a warm, quaint house, with EXTREMELY comforatble shag carpetting. Afien kept reassuring me that they were renovating at the moment and to mind the mess. To be honest, their version of messy is cleaner than my house has ever been. lol. The shower was however inoperable at the moment, so I was told I must shower at Yang Soo's apartment... in downtown Appingedam.

After some great living room time, with the family I've never met, Ming Yung had to get back to her university life in the city of Groningan, Afien had to wind down after getting back from Canada. Henk's with Afien...

So of course, Yang-soo and I headed to the local bar and bonded over great dutch beers!