Amsterdam- New Place, new people, some orientation crap
Hello all,
I'm sorry I havn't updated in the last few day, but the internet in my room isn't cooperating as it should. As far as I know I'm the only one with this problem, so I must be my computer. Why can't things work as they should?
My living accodations are quite nice. I have a large, white, empty, boring room it a weird apartment building in the Centrum-West of Amsterdam. Walk west from central station and you're in the nieghborhood. Its not on many maps, but its just off if its not.
I say weird because I don't know how its structured. I think all IES students, me, live in the F apartment. 4 rooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen/common room with a balcony shared with the people next door. I think all the other apartments (A though E) are more like studio apartments with kitchen and bath. I do know there are alot of stairs. The excercise will be nice, but the are steep, creak like hell, and will kill you if you take a tumble.
My room needs decor. I found a rug in the closet, but it needs to be vacuumed around 8 times before I'll walk on it, but it was free. The sheets the "gave" us (I paid cash)are IKEA and have a swirly pattern, its very masuline. The bed my be compfy, but the pillow is awful. Its an airline pillow, but a little bigger. Both nights I've woken up in the morning with it on the floor. I'm buying a new pillow. As well as a guitar and toaster. I'm off tuesday, I'll do it then.
I do have my own bathroom which is not by design, but floats from the fact that I'm the only dude in 66F. The RA for our building (balcony connected) and two girls. I'll have to clean it myself, but thats no problem. The only problem is the shower. There is no stall or curtain. The shower is just in the wall and the toilet is right there. Its nice if you have to pee, but does the toilet paper get wet? You could even shower while you poop if you were so inclined, but I'm not.
I don't have mirror in my room and no power outlet in the bathroom so I've shaved the last two morning using my Ipod as a mirror. Its works fine.
Everyone is very nice, but orientation is all the same. First evening was a welcome and then dinner (no booze besides table wine) and yesterday was info and then a bike tour. So its not the same old thing, but close enough.
I almost died a few times on that damn bike and I'm going to buy one. Its a hike to class.
Today we got up early (I need an alarm clock too) and resistered with UvA. It was student id (which I have to put together), email (in lab now), and then we go down to the Immigration, the Foreign Police (or La Migra). We have to pay alot of money, fill out alot of forms, and jump through flaming hoops for these guys. It will suck, but what can you do? Of course I probably don't have the correct paperwork with me since I've been out of the loop. I think I need even a birth certiciate which is the dumbest thing ever considering you can fake it so easily. I also wished they mention it would cost 435€ in cash to get this permit. Shouldn't that be in the basic program fee? Before your appointment with the man IES hands you a cashiers check? Wouldn't that make sense and be logical?
After La Migra its a boat tour, but not directly after.
After the bike tour 4 or us walked home and one guy (Patrick) abd myself bought some food at the supermarket. Penne, sauce, salad and wine. Great meal. I hung out for awhile and he just dissapered. Turns out he left. He didn't ditch me, I said I had to sleep if I wanted to get up, but I didn't hear him say bye and he left me in his apartment. Very trusting of him. I just let myself out.
I should get moving. I'll update as soon as I can.
Johnny Winter tonight. I wonder what "membership" mean. I hope I don't need to be a member at the Pardicio. The Nashville Bluegrass Band show doesn't need it. I hope its not expensive, the ticket, at 25€, is enough. If its too much I'll just leave.
I heard Panic is playing in Europe this fall, but I don't think thats true. Maybe he meant Panic! At the Disco. Screw that.
I love and miss you all,
Matt
I'm sorry I havn't updated in the last few day, but the internet in my room isn't cooperating as it should. As far as I know I'm the only one with this problem, so I must be my computer. Why can't things work as they should?
My living accodations are quite nice. I have a large, white, empty, boring room it a weird apartment building in the Centrum-West of Amsterdam. Walk west from central station and you're in the nieghborhood. Its not on many maps, but its just off if its not.
I say weird because I don't know how its structured. I think all IES students, me, live in the F apartment. 4 rooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen/common room with a balcony shared with the people next door. I think all the other apartments (A though E) are more like studio apartments with kitchen and bath. I do know there are alot of stairs. The excercise will be nice, but the are steep, creak like hell, and will kill you if you take a tumble.
My room needs decor. I found a rug in the closet, but it needs to be vacuumed around 8 times before I'll walk on it, but it was free. The sheets the "gave" us (I paid cash)are IKEA and have a swirly pattern, its very masuline. The bed my be compfy, but the pillow is awful. Its an airline pillow, but a little bigger. Both nights I've woken up in the morning with it on the floor. I'm buying a new pillow. As well as a guitar and toaster. I'm off tuesday, I'll do it then.
I do have my own bathroom which is not by design, but floats from the fact that I'm the only dude in 66F. The RA for our building (balcony connected) and two girls. I'll have to clean it myself, but thats no problem. The only problem is the shower. There is no stall or curtain. The shower is just in the wall and the toilet is right there. Its nice if you have to pee, but does the toilet paper get wet? You could even shower while you poop if you were so inclined, but I'm not.
I don't have mirror in my room and no power outlet in the bathroom so I've shaved the last two morning using my Ipod as a mirror. Its works fine.
Everyone is very nice, but orientation is all the same. First evening was a welcome and then dinner (no booze besides table wine) and yesterday was info and then a bike tour. So its not the same old thing, but close enough.
I almost died a few times on that damn bike and I'm going to buy one. Its a hike to class.
Today we got up early (I need an alarm clock too) and resistered with UvA. It was student id (which I have to put together), email (in lab now), and then we go down to the Immigration, the Foreign Police (or La Migra). We have to pay alot of money, fill out alot of forms, and jump through flaming hoops for these guys. It will suck, but what can you do? Of course I probably don't have the correct paperwork with me since I've been out of the loop. I think I need even a birth certiciate which is the dumbest thing ever considering you can fake it so easily. I also wished they mention it would cost 435€ in cash to get this permit. Shouldn't that be in the basic program fee? Before your appointment with the man IES hands you a cashiers check? Wouldn't that make sense and be logical?
After La Migra its a boat tour, but not directly after.
After the bike tour 4 or us walked home and one guy (Patrick) abd myself bought some food at the supermarket. Penne, sauce, salad and wine. Great meal. I hung out for awhile and he just dissapered. Turns out he left. He didn't ditch me, I said I had to sleep if I wanted to get up, but I didn't hear him say bye and he left me in his apartment. Very trusting of him. I just let myself out.
I should get moving. I'll update as soon as I can.
Johnny Winter tonight. I wonder what "membership" mean. I hope I don't need to be a member at the Pardicio. The Nashville Bluegrass Band show doesn't need it. I hope its not expensive, the ticket, at 25€, is enough. If its too much I'll just leave.
I heard Panic is playing in Europe this fall, but I don't think thats true. Maybe he meant Panic! At the Disco. Screw that.
I love and miss you all,
Matt