first post from the netherlands
Sometimes I'll be in the middle of getting ready for the day, and I stop. And I think I'm in the Netherlands and then I have to say it out loud. It's not some cheesy, Sound of Music 'Rolf just kissed me' kind of "weeeee", but more like a reality check that I'm not a train/bus/car ride away from someone to hug. It's sad but strengthening at the same time.
I am studying at Leiden University in Leiden--located between Amsterdam and The Hague near the western coast:
You can drive across the entire country left-to-right in about 2 and a half hours, if that gives you an idea of how small the country is. I'm sure many of you have taken cross-country trips--this Dutch family was horrified to imagine 15-20 hours in a car at a time.
So, in my own way, I'd like to sum up the past two and a half weeks of living here.
Aug 22nd - Flew to Dublin overnight, dutch-ovened the entire way sitting next to this bitch, channeled it in her direction. Then flew to Amsterdam and got picked up by a lovely Dutch family (the Hazenoots). Stayed the night, slept in son Dennis' bed, sweated all over the place.
Aug 23rd - Hazenoots drop me off at my apartment and I bid farewell. Immediate solitude, jet lag, and dehydration set in, hence my first visit to the grocery store--don't forget to bring your own bag--I learned that one quickly.
Aug 24th through Sep 1st - Weed. Anxiety and inability to eat/drink subsides. I also met other English-speaking exchange students who've come from all over the world, only a few cool American students. I eat lunch and dinner in my apartment. My creativity brims and overflows as the days carry on, especially without internet and friends.
Sep 2nd - Spent my birthday with the Hazenoots--they live in Katwijk, a 30 minute bus ride west, right near a beach. They gave me a keychain with a wooden shoes fob as a joke, and a Dutch cookbook, as not a joke. For dinner we had Norwegian salmon and shrimp, and strawberries for dessert.
Sep 3rd through Sep 7 - Internet. I'm learning to cook. I walk everywhere because I don't have a bike, nor do I want one yet because it looks too complicated to attempt--they have their own traffic lights, streets, and they stop for pedestrians (sometimes).
Sep 8, Today - I went to the farmer's market with Athina (my linguistics friend, she is Greek)--she knows everything about Greek mythology! It's always been one of my nerdy pleasures in life, right next to bowling and pictures of the sky.
I was walking down the street today, and just before walking into my building, I looked up and saw a church. Not just any church (Dutch: kerk), but the Hooglandsekerk. From the top of a 3 story building, this is a great shot of it in the evening.
They have others in the city that are just as beautiful--in fact, today I visited St. Peter's Church (Pieterskerk) but they weren't open to the public at the time. The guide told me he'd personally give me a tour and answer all my questions if I came back again--I like that kind of personal promise. One of the first, and one of the many, things I noticed as different between Europeans and the 'mericans.
Another important difference: how many people do you know go to coffee shops to chill with a friend? No, Johnny Crackerjack has four tests tomorrow and demands caffeine, while Ms. Susie Overachiever over here can't function without her triple shot double caramel zebra mocha. I think we have the wrong idea about coffee. Or even tea, for that matter. Let's chill! All of us. I drink tea two or three times a day now, I'm not sure why--I never used to do this, why now? It's easy to make, a simple drink, and it makes you feel so good all over. I'm glad I've added this routine to my life.
Music now plays constantly when I'm in my apartment--it's not even a question. These may all be "nothing new" for some of my friends...but now, I can't imagine not having something playing in the background. Due to my underwelming and overplayed selection of music, I now heartily seek other music to fill this apartment.
Cripes.
Anyway, I look forward to sharing my experience in the Netherlands. Maybe you'll learn some Dutch in the process.
Stroopwafels en thee zijn heerlijk. (Stroopwafels and tea are delicious.) For native English speakers, read this, "Strope-voffles en tay zyne hair-lick." Excellent.
I am studying at Leiden University in Leiden--located between Amsterdam and The Hague near the western coast:
You can drive across the entire country left-to-right in about 2 and a half hours, if that gives you an idea of how small the country is. I'm sure many of you have taken cross-country trips--this Dutch family was horrified to imagine 15-20 hours in a car at a time.
So, in my own way, I'd like to sum up the past two and a half weeks of living here.
Aug 22nd - Flew to Dublin overnight, dutch-ovened the entire way sitting next to this bitch, channeled it in her direction. Then flew to Amsterdam and got picked up by a lovely Dutch family (the Hazenoots). Stayed the night, slept in son Dennis' bed, sweated all over the place.
Aug 23rd - Hazenoots drop me off at my apartment and I bid farewell. Immediate solitude, jet lag, and dehydration set in, hence my first visit to the grocery store--don't forget to bring your own bag--I learned that one quickly.
Aug 24th through Sep 1st - Weed. Anxiety and inability to eat/drink subsides. I also met other English-speaking exchange students who've come from all over the world, only a few cool American students. I eat lunch and dinner in my apartment. My creativity brims and overflows as the days carry on, especially without internet and friends.
Sep 2nd - Spent my birthday with the Hazenoots--they live in Katwijk, a 30 minute bus ride west, right near a beach. They gave me a keychain with a wooden shoes fob as a joke, and a Dutch cookbook, as not a joke. For dinner we had Norwegian salmon and shrimp, and strawberries for dessert.
Sep 3rd through Sep 7 - Internet. I'm learning to cook. I walk everywhere because I don't have a bike, nor do I want one yet because it looks too complicated to attempt--they have their own traffic lights, streets, and they stop for pedestrians (sometimes).
Sep 8, Today - I went to the farmer's market with Athina (my linguistics friend, she is Greek)--she knows everything about Greek mythology! It's always been one of my nerdy pleasures in life, right next to bowling and pictures of the sky.
I was walking down the street today, and just before walking into my building, I looked up and saw a church. Not just any church (Dutch: kerk), but the Hooglandsekerk. From the top of a 3 story building, this is a great shot of it in the evening.
They have others in the city that are just as beautiful--in fact, today I visited St. Peter's Church (Pieterskerk) but they weren't open to the public at the time. The guide told me he'd personally give me a tour and answer all my questions if I came back again--I like that kind of personal promise. One of the first, and one of the many, things I noticed as different between Europeans and the 'mericans.
Another important difference: how many people do you know go to coffee shops to chill with a friend? No, Johnny Crackerjack has four tests tomorrow and demands caffeine, while Ms. Susie Overachiever over here can't function without her triple shot double caramel zebra mocha. I think we have the wrong idea about coffee. Or even tea, for that matter. Let's chill! All of us. I drink tea two or three times a day now, I'm not sure why--I never used to do this, why now? It's easy to make, a simple drink, and it makes you feel so good all over. I'm glad I've added this routine to my life.
Music now plays constantly when I'm in my apartment--it's not even a question. These may all be "nothing new" for some of my friends...but now, I can't imagine not having something playing in the background. Due to my underwelming and overplayed selection of music, I now heartily seek other music to fill this apartment.
Cripes.
Anyway, I look forward to sharing my experience in the Netherlands. Maybe you'll learn some Dutch in the process.
Stroopwafels en thee zijn heerlijk. (Stroopwafels and tea are delicious.) For native English speakers, read this, "Strope-voffles en tay zyne hair-lick." Excellent.