So, I really can’t believe I’ve already been here for two weeks. Sorry I haven’t written sooner but I’ve really just started to settle in. The first week was hectic! The program I’m going through, IES Abroad, had tons of orientation stuff lined up for us. It was pretty tiring, but definitely a good introduction to the city. We got things done that were necessary… but man, they had us runnin’ from morning till evening. We still managed to make our way out by the time night rolled around… don’t ask me how. After a few days we all crashed, haha. I think I’m finally adjusted to the time change (it’s six hours later here), but it definitely took longer than I had anticipated… many restless nights. The mattresses they provided I’m sure didn’t help much either… one thing I miss for sure, my comfy bed at home. Well I guess I miss you all too!
There are about 58 kids in my program from all over the U.S. No one else from New Jersey… and many of the kids are from small liberal arts schools throughout the country. I’m one of the few that goes a school where the student body exceeds 3,000. Unfortunately, Zoe, the one girl I really clicked with had a family emergency and had to head back to the states yesterday morning and won’t be returning. I had only known her for two weeks, but it’s amazing how quickly we bonded. We met two Dutch guys one of the first nights we were out in the city. We actually had no idea how to get back to our apartment (probably should have thought of that before we went out) and they offered to show us. Of course we were a little hesitant to let them bring us home, but we nonchalantly made sure we stayed on really well-lit roads and once we got to a point where we knew the rest of the way, we told them it was good enough. They actually ended up being really nice guys and have been such a great help since I’ve been here. I think they’re just as excited to be friends with Americans as we were to befriend actual Dutch people.
If you’re unaware, EVERYONE here rides bikes. Your odds of getting hit by a bike are way higher than getting hit by a car, haha! I got a really neat antique bike the first week I was here. I love it. I will share with you the bad luck (almost funny at this point) I’ve had so far though…
Last Thursday I was in the train station and parked my bike outside on a railing where there were tons of other bikes locked up. Of course I thought nothing of it until I walked outside only to witness my bike, next to about 50 others, being taken away on the back of a big truck! Lucky for me, a Dutch woman’s bike had been taken too. She asked if I wanted to go with her to retrieve our bikes together. If it weren’t for her I wouldn’t have made it. We had to take a train, then a bus, and then walk about ten minutes until we saw a huge lot with thousands of bikes. There were more bikes than you could ever imagine! I had to pay 10 euros to get it back and then me and the Dutch woman (I never got her name) rode about an hour together to make it back to the center of the city. Quite the experience for my first week here… but I learned my lesson about parking my bike!
Friday rolled around. I went to my class (which I think is going to be awesome by the way), stopped at the grocery store on my way home, and when I walked outside, the lock on the back tire of my bike (I’ve never seen the type of lock in the states) but anyway, it’s connected to the bike and something must have bumped my bike while I was in the store and the lock shut. Because I bought my bike at a used store, I didn’t get the key for this specific lock. Thankfully, there was a bike shop up the street so I carried it there and they were able to cut off that lock and replace it with another. It took them four days though! I was miserable without my bike but I finally picked it up last night!
Oh but wait, the bad luck wasn’t over… I popped my bike tire this morning on my way to class! I had to resort to public transportation, oh well. Jack (one of the Dutch guys) got his friend to fix it. I was so thankful. Ugh, I could have just pictured myself dragging the bike to the nearest bike shop (this time the shop was not near at all) to get it fixed. It definitely made me realize how much I depend on my brother’s while I’m home. I’m helpless when it comes to bike problems. (Guerin, if you’re actually serious about ever opening a bike shop, I suggest moving to Amsterdam, haha.)
Okay, enough with the bad! I will now talk about how much I love this city. It’s truly an amazing place. It’s so different from being home. The canals are BEAUTIFUL. Everywhere you go there is something new and amazing to see. I’m taking three classes while I’m here: Introduction to Sexual Studies, a Studio Art course, and Love Stories (it’s a long title I don’t remember the rest.) I only have class on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays which is nice! On Monday night my Intro to Sexual Studies class went on a tour of the Red Light District (which has much more history than I would have ever imagined) with our professor, then he continued to bring us to his favorite gay bar and buy us a round of drinks. When would that ever happen in the states!? I’ve met some really awesome international students in my classes. Every Tuesday night, there is a “borrel” organized for all the international students at Club de Heffer. I don’t know the exact meaning of the word borrel, but it involves drinking and it makes us sound a little Dutch when we say it, haha. It really is a great way to meet other international students though! I’m becoming more and more familiar with the city every day. Sometimes it’s nice to just wander around aimlessly on my bike. I love stopping at the outdoor markets. There are several throughout the city. I haven’t been to all, but my favorite so far is Waterlooplein (a pretty popular one). There are so many different vendors, with everything and anything you can think of. It’s nice to buy fresh fruit and vegetables from the markets too!
Anyway, that’s enough for now. I guess it’s nothing too exciting yet. I’m sure I’ll have some interesting stories in the near future. Hope all is well back in the U.S.!!! Make sure you keep me posted with anything new and exciting as well!
Love,
Libby
