Time is flying by! I’ve been here for 5 weeks now, crazy to think that. Last week, my friend Allison and I ventured down to the southern part of the Netherlands to the oldest city in the country, Maastricht. The train ride was gorgeous. Sometimes that can be one of the best parts of a trip…just staring out the window as the rolling hills and little towns pass by. What a quaint little city Maastricht was. We walked around all day, wandering the streets, stopped at some historical museum; I got a really good deal on a pair of designer jeans, then we called it a day when the sun started to go down. I took a lot of pictures while we were there so make sure you check them out!
The classes I’m taking here are so so different from anything I’m used to at home. I am really enjoying all 3 of them though. The art class is completely self-structured so we’re really forced to use our imagination. Our professor is taking us through the city this week to visit several galleries. I’m really excited! The art school is on the outskirts of the city so it’s about a 40 minute bike ride. We got lost on the way home last week, but ended up finding a really delicious little Mexican restaurant… and I sure do love Mexican food. I had to go to the Sex Museum for my Intro to Sexual Studies class… all I have to say is WOW, haha. I didn’t know putting that kind of stuff in a museum was legal. I included a few pictures!
So this past weekend I was in Germany. I had an absolutely amazing time. My first stop was Koln (we say Cologne). Dad had recommended a pit stop there en route to Munich. I went to the Museum Ludwig, a contemporary art museum… I could have spent hours there. Then I walked through the Kölner Dom, which is the third highest cathedral in the world. Absolutely breathtaking! Back on the train, next stop Ulm. Okay so don’t hate me, but I “couchsurfed.” You probably don’t know what that is, but basically it means I stayed with someone I don’t know that I found through an internet network type thing (www.couchsurfing.com). Sorry Mom and Dad (this is the first time they’re hearing it too). I’m only telling you this now because of course, yes I’m still alive and unharmed, but also because I am SO happy I chose to do this. I felt I was a sensible enough person to do something of the sort. My host and I went grocery shopping, cooked dinner together, went to a student bar that was so fun... it was like an old tower thing, brick walls, dungeon like, but a sweet atmosphere and tons of friendly people. The next day we toured the city… stopped at the TALLEST cathedral in the world, Ulmer Münster. Another amazing site to see! Now off to Munich where I would meet up with my friend Caroline from home that is studying in Florence and her Uncle Jerry (also from New Jersey). We went to this awesome Irish Pub that Jerry’s friend owns located right in the center of Munich. It was wild. All the Guiness signs made me think of you Uncle Chris, and of Guiness(your dog) of course! Haha. We took a city tour on Saturday, stopped at Schloss Nymphenburg, a castle, and at the Olympic Park where the ’72 olympics were!
Off to Oktoberfest- what an insane, chaotic, fun place. We walked around for a bit before we went in our tent but didn’t get far in the midst of thousands of people dressed in their lederhosens and dirndls. We were lucky enough to get our own table inside that soon filled up. Caroline and I got up on stage to lead the band in playing “Country Roads” in front of more than 3,000 people… everyone standing on tables and benches singing and dancing. How often can someone say they’ve done such a thing!? What a great time we all had!
So back to reality, back home… and yes, I’ve started to call this place [Amsterdam] home. I’m now in the process of planning my next trip to France and Spain. I’m meeting Caroline in Paris on the 18th of October! We’re only staying there for one night, and then we’re headed down to the southwest of France (Bordeaux and Hossegor). Then we’re spending the last 4 days in Barcelona! I cannot wait. Let me know if you have any suggestions for any of these places, especially the southwest of France! I hope to make a quick trip to Belgium in the next 3 weeks…we’ll see. I have a long weekend in Switzerland planned for the middle of November (Geneva and Interlaken). Anyway, I’ll stop rubbing in the wonderful life I’m living at the moment. I do encourage each and every one of you to book a ticket to come visit though! Haha. Let me know how everything is back home. I miss you all! Doi!
Love,
Libby
