Public Transport (No Lack Thereof!)

Aweh, guys!

So, at this point, we have dabbled with public transportation in the Netherlands. We used our OV cards to pick up our kitty babies on both the bus the train. The system is clean, generally on time and as long as you tap in and tap out, you can’t really get into trouble.

At this time, we are living in the middle of East Jesus Nowhere which has its pros and cons. It’s nice and quiet, very pretty and the house is really nice. But it is inconvenient. There are no nearby shops and we don’t have a car yet so you either need to cycle to Soest or find a closer alternative.

Our cats were still litterbox and foodless. We had converted one of their travel crates into a make makeshift poop box and they hadn’t taken a single bite of wet food yet and they were getting increasingly whingey. “Mama! Why don’t you food us?” I heard them cry. Back in SA, they were strictly on the Hill’s Science Plan, so we needed to rectify their standard of living.

Using the 9292 app, it could plan our trip including the closest bus stops, which bus to take, what time to leave to make it in time for departure and how to return. We decided to go to a nearby neighbouring town called Den Dolder. Our nearest bus stop is 1.7 kms away so we set out through the woods intent on returning with supplies for the babies.
Because we used the app and left at the time the app recommended, we made it to the bus stop just in time for the bus to pull up. The driver was surprised and said that no one ever got picked up at this stop. We took off and made it into town.

Den Dolder is a really pretty town and we were immediately drawn to the cheese truck that was parked outside the Albert Heijn. We picked out a cheese that we were allowed to sample for a relatively inexpensive price.

We located the pet shop which was right on the main street and alas they had no Hill’s cat food! I spoke to the lady and she recommended we try the brand Vigor and Sage. It is made with real meat, smelled like death and came with a free resealable box. I hoped the babies would be satisfied. We also picked out a new litterbox.

Before we caught our bus back, Hubby noticed a little pub. We decided to go in and have a drink. It was our first beer in the Netherlands. We both had an Amstel which is freely available in SA but it was so crisp and fresh. Also since you are using public transport, you don’t have to worry about drinking and driving.

We returned to base, fed the starving monsters and improved their toilet situation. I think they will let us live for another day.