So I have officially been in Amsterdam for almost two weeks and in that short period of time so much has happened! I intended to create this blog sooner, but I have only now gotten around to it. I will do my best to quickly bring you up to speed!
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| the bow of the Russian sailboat |
My first week in Amsterdam was filled with typical touristy stops such as visiting the Royal Palace, taste testing the beer at the Heineken Factory, and exploring Vondel Park. I spent most of that week with my parents since they came along to get me settled. I was actually relieved to have them there for the first few days because it was much less stressful settling in. My apartment building is in a nice neighborhood a little south of the city. It is actually very close to Vondel Park and it overlooks a quiet canal. The days my parents and I were arrived were also the days the Sail Amsterdam festival was occurring. Sail Amsterdam happens every five years and huge sailboats from all over the world dock in the harbor for a few days.
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| view from my the balcony of my apartment |
This past week I participated in a student led orientation. During this week students from the school I am attending, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, and the Universiteit van Amsterdam were separated into groups of around twenty. I met a lot of interesting international students such as my friend Manuela, from Italy, and learned so much about European culture. It also really surprised me how similar I am to the students I met from Spain, Germany, Holland, Italy, and even Bulgaria.
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| ROAR! |
My group leader Mick, from Holland, was also a great guide showing us around the city and giving tips on how to fit in. During this week we went for a city walk (even through the red light district), visited the Historical Museum of Amsterdam, saw the city from a canal cruise, visited the Artis Zoo right in the city, and even partied at Dutch pubs and clubs. I was also reminded by how small of a world we live in when one of the members in my group (Nick) told me he grew up with my roommate (Casey) from Loyola! I couldn’t believe it! What are the chances?
Classes started yesterday and it’s hard to believe I can’t just explore Amsterdam forever! But I did make my first big purchase yesterday…a BIKE! Jaclyn, Mara, and Victoria also bought bikes and we are beginning to plan a bike trip this weekend to the North countryside to see the windmills! I am starting to feel Dutch J
