Post from Leiden - I
It's been a couple of days since I landed in Leiden. So far, it's been an absolute hoot. My couchsurfing hosts are the epitome of graciousness. They've been very accommodating to my schedule and do everything in their power to ensure that I'm comfortable.
One of the first things that's likely to hit you when you land in Netherlands is a bicycle. I mean that literally. Not only does everyone here, ride a bicycle, but the rules of the road favour the cyclist as well. The cars give way to a pedestrian and the pedestrian gives way to a cyclist! At roundabouts, traffic lights, in residential lanes, cyclists whiz past as if they own the road. It was a bit odd to have a Mercedes screech to a halt to let me cross the road and then be almost run over by a bicyclist, who clearly expected me to stop for him.
Of course, since the bicycle plays such an important role in their lives, the Dutch have several contraptions that attach to the normal bicycle frame, panniers, waterproof shopping baskets, baby-baskets etc. I've seen little kids flanked by their parents, learning to bike on main roads! The confidence with which they assume right of way, whenever confronted with a fast moving motor vehicle is unnerving. However, given the importance the bike plays in their lives, one would think that they would have really good looking, fancy bikes, of the sort one finds in the US or even better. But surprisingly, almost all of them (bar none) look like run-down versions of the common-man's "Hero" cycle in India, rusted over, paint peeling off and completely unattractive. Perhaps it's a defense mechanism against thievery, who knows? The Dutch also seem to use the 'ladies model' bike, bisexually. It's all very strange!
One of the first things that's likely to hit you when you land in Netherlands is a bicycle. I mean that literally. Not only does everyone here, ride a bicycle, but the rules of the road favour the cyclist as well. The cars give way to a pedestrian and the pedestrian gives way to a cyclist! At roundabouts, traffic lights, in residential lanes, cyclists whiz past as if they own the road. It was a bit odd to have a Mercedes screech to a halt to let me cross the road and then be almost run over by a bicyclist, who clearly expected me to stop for him.
Of course, since the bicycle plays such an important role in their lives, the Dutch have several contraptions that attach to the normal bicycle frame, panniers, waterproof shopping baskets, baby-baskets etc. I've seen little kids flanked by their parents, learning to bike on main roads! The confidence with which they assume right of way, whenever confronted with a fast moving motor vehicle is unnerving. However, given the importance the bike plays in their lives, one would think that they would have really good looking, fancy bikes, of the sort one finds in the US or even better. But surprisingly, almost all of them (bar none) look like run-down versions of the common-man's "Hero" cycle in India, rusted over, paint peeling off and completely unattractive. Perhaps it's a defense mechanism against thievery, who knows? The Dutch also seem to use the 'ladies model' bike, bisexually. It's all very strange!