First of all, thanks Jan-Carel for all the info.. I am starting to feel more prepared.. even though I haven't done much!

I'm glad that I'll be ok with English...  I love languages and seem to pick them up quickly but yes.. I would love to learn some Dutch.. my biggest problem, I can't roll my r's... hehe...

I noticed the spelling mistake on Groningen but didn't feel like fixing it.. Thanks for the correction... It's only 200klms? Just today I drove that... well give or take a few klms.. and it was just to go to a dentist appointment... just to get to work every day I drive 55klm one way... Anyway... that's all to say.. I don't mind travelling at all.. I may head that way.. I don't know...

Can you tell me anything about hostels? I think I'm going to end up there.. a couple times.. . What do you think is a standard nightly cost? anything I should look for? bring?

One more question too.. Here in Canada, in almost every town there is a tourist centre.. do you have them there too? I'm totally being ignorant to it all.. I'm sorry.. I'm so busy getting ready and working  7 days straight that I haven't had any time to do any research!