They have canals here?

Who would have thought? I really was not expecting to see them every other block or so, but they are out in full force!

I'm actually writing this on a beautiful evening out on the terrace of our apartment for the next 2 days. While it is gorgeous out, the sun is beginning to set, and my scene is ruined by obnoxious Euro-tech music blasting from next door while a man leers at me through dark sunglasses and puffing a cigarette. But hey, they just want to party!

Word on the street was that it would be nice this weekend, and the weather has lived up to the expectations. We decided to get a late start today, although I passed out around 8 last night and woke up at 9 this morning. We left around noon, and made our way to the train station and back to Utrecht because we were under the impression that A. we could pick up the keys, sign documents, and get the linens for our new apartments, and B. the school would be open so I could print and copy all the documents I still need for a little thing called my 'visa' and 'residency permit.' apparently its an immigration issue? not really sure. 

WE WERE WRONG!  A few people were out and about, but the school was locked up and the housing office said neither of our buildings were available until the 1st, even though we thought that was just the move-in date. BUMMER. Especially since it costs 12.60 Euro (about $20) for each trip to and from Utrecht on the train, and it was our 3rd trip. Alas, we decided to head back to Amsterdam and explore it finally because the last 2 days were unsuccessful in that department. Even though we struck out, I did feel a little bit better about myself as I thought, "I wonder what happens if you get caught not paying for the train..." because on all of our trips that had yet to check for tickets. Along come 2 English boys (visual: frodo and sam from lord of the rings, if you catch my drift). Anyhooter, mean conductor-ticket-checker man started verbally abusing them, and then they were both fined 82 Euro! Suckers. It was a good day to not be them, although they had the cutest accents :)

We got off the train and just wandered around, veering off the crowded tourist paths and heading for shaded alleys and a little cafe. We finally went to our first restaurant, and had what we call a "lunchtip" moment (refer to previous posts) in which we ask a seemingly innocent question, such as "do we seat ourselves?" and are responded to with some rude and/or "of course you're a tourist, and you're definitely American" sounding comment. Lunchtip moment!

Either way, we got our food, wandered some more, had another minor lunchtip moment, ended up on the patio of a really nice hotel restaurant, and then were given enormous beer steins. A Heinekein has never tasted so good! We wandered some more, turned a corner and bam! the Anne Frank huis. (yea, I said it.) Not about to wait in line, we took pictures of people taking pictures and headed in the direction of home and my miraculous senses got us there! (Thank you, dad. Don't worry mom, the big feet you gave me can also be considered an asset in these situations.) We also walked past a store called "Chasin' " and who in their right mind wouldn't take a picture of that?? They have the right idea naming their store so beautifully.

In my feeble attempts to learn the Dutch "language" (I've had a recent obsession with air quotes, bear with me) I now know cheese as kaas, please as astulbleift, egg as ei, buttermilk as karnemelk, thank you as dank u wel, cheers as proast, and toast as...toast! Not very easy so far, but hey its only been 3 days. I've also come to the conclusion that when I encounter a language I don't know, I simply begin to use Spanglish as some sort of substitute. I'm on the wrong continent. I also decided people aren't as stoked to meet Americans as I was told they would be (what, you don't approve of our foreign policy and intervention and occupation of other countries? suck it.) Alas, a Canadian pin may be in order. Ease the embarrassment and opportunity for lunchtip moments.

I also forgot to mention that there is an Apple store across from the train station! Of course they would be...worldy as Steve Jobs must be. With an adaptor our computers plug in fine that the voltage is converted, but sadly, the same does not go for hair straighteners. Yesterday, in a desperate attempt, I plugged mine in anyways, and was greeted with a bright green light explosion inside the handle, and immediate heat! I didn't take it as a good sign for the thing itself, but quickly applied it to at least my bangs in my moment of narcissism. Next: greeted with the scent of burning hair! ahhhh. Lovely in the morning. Luckily, on the way home we stopped by an electronics store and I bought one for 23 Euro. It will last me this year by golly! 

Euro tech still playing, a guy just walked by with something I swear was larger than a cello! Where he is going and what his mission is I do not know, but I am intrigued. There are some vverrrryyy attractive men in this town! I like. And for all I know, despite their Euro shoes and almost-mullets and skinny arms, I'm pretty sure they are straight. I like. 

It's getting a bit chilly and my body seems to be aching for another beer. It's a Saturday night in Amsterdam, and I am ready to ppaaarrrttttyyy! 

Love to all :)

First day adventures!

I wrote the first blog before we had been out and about to explore, and what a day it was. Exhausting. We woke up around 730, dilly-dallied at the local market and finally left for school around 10. Our first mission: COFFEE! Kind of hard task in these parts, being that a "coffeeshop" equals a place to get a cup of joe and, oh yea, pack your own joint. Allison apparently lacks a sense of smell, and was possibly blinded by the dire need for caffeine that she neither smelled the pot in the air nor realized until I told her after we left just where we were. And she was shocked. I didn't think the "coffeeshops" would be in such high numbers, but there is one every couple of blocks or more. 

Dutch love the ganja. 

We walked to the train station, kind of getting lost along the way, but eventually made it and passed our first canal! Surrounded by bikes. Tourist that I am, I snapped a couple unexciting photos and we meandered along. Whilst at the station, I decided I was hungry and made an attempt to purchase a sandwich, but was distracted by a deal called the "lunch tip," meaning you get a sandwich, drink and an apple. Allison kept urging me to get it, so I finally asked for it and she looked at me like I had 5 heads and no arms. I mumbled a "nevermind" and gave up on my lunch tip, opting for ham because it was the first thing I saw. As we walked away, Allison says, " I just wanted to hear you say 'lunchtip'." Thanks for the support.  On the way back I photographed the lunchtip sign just to engrave my first culture faux-pas in my mind permanently.

Got on the train ok, made it to Utrecht, and from there headed to the bus station to purchase what they call a "strippenkart," a word used for a punch card. They have them at cafes too, but the bus fares come in sets of 15 and the driver stamps our ticket for however far you are going, because the stops are separated into zones. 

Our school is pretty much amazing. The Hogeschool campus (ours) is in the same area as the Uithof, (Utrecht University) and the university hospital. Its a huge area, and we were sent on a treasure hunt that required simplistic directions guiding us in circles and, using the simplest of language, made us feel a bit incompetent. I'm not too worried about it- we got where we needed to go and even had pizza along the way! No complaints.

At this point we were exhausted and headed back to Amsterdam, and being the genius and directionally -equipped woman I am, I said I knew how to get back to the apartment. Come to find out, I didn't. But we did walk along a cool little street with tons of shops and food, and "coffee" dun dun dun...and the beautiful people pleasantly puffing away. I think it might be a requirement o be incredibly good looking to enter. Eventually we honed our womanly skills and asked for directions, and came right home for...a NAP! what else to do in a time of stress and emotional turmoil. Although it was 8pm, it felt wonderful and then we woke up to eat and shower. Very humanizing indeed. We have a long day tomorrow and I'm sure it will involve getting lost if I have anything to do with it.

Smooches!

Amsterdam!

After hours upon hours of flying and walking and being scrunched up in a little seat in a pitch black plane with some creepy Indian man falling asleep on me, I am finally on solid ground. I never thought I could be so happy! Amsterdam is everything I heard about, just from the train and taxi ride. Bikes everywhere, and gloomy as SF. I feel right at home!

We're staying with a lady named Gaby in a cute little IKEA-ed out apartment near the Jordaan area, kinda by the Anne Frank house. She is super sweet (Gaby, not A.F.), and has a lovely singing voice which we were graced with as a wake up call. She has a singing gig on the 14th somewhere in the area, and we're hoping to make it back to watch her. Apparently that day the city is moving from the old music conservatory to a new one across town, so there is a whole music-filled parade of FUN.

I slept for a good 14 hours of something, and now I'm ready to tackle these silly Dutch and show them good mexi food, awesome dance moves, and a little thing I like to call SARCASM. Even though the toilets are odd, I'm just to excited to be here...we're going to Utrecht today to meet up with the school and others in our program, so Allison and I are in for an adventure. More to come later! 

Love to all :)