"don't like the weather? wait 15 minutes."

I really am starting to suck at writing on my blog. It's been over two weeks and a lot (for my standards) has happened. I first would like to say that this weather is getting really old, really quickly. I haven't been so sick of rain in my life. If the weather was not like this, I would have absolutely nothing to complain about, but alas, I had to come to Holland.

Regardless, two weekends ago I had my first trip to Amsterdam! A big group of us headed there for Friday evening, but were quickly split up ( I never understood why people even try to travel in a group of over 5, it just never works). Anja, Daniel, Samo, Nina and I walked around the Red Light District, which to my surprise I had a very different reaction to it than I had expected. It amazed me the hoards of men walking around, young, old, fat, skinny, ALL tourists. They just were gawking at all the women as they window-shopped. Interestingly enough, this did not surprise me but was a little sickening. We strolled around looking for food, and ended up at a steakhouse where we got ribs and steak and beer, of course! The night was not so rainy so we walked around and went to a coffeeshop! Saturday night we stayed at Herengracht and all hung out and laughed. In my pants!

The weekdays themselves are slightly monotonous but fun, going to class, having dinners together in the house (Monday night is pancake night and Wednesday is 5 euro pizza night!) and more than not going out for drinks. I made dinner for everyone this past Thursday, and I can't really say my cooking skills have improved any since I've gotten here. I need to work on that. My classes are not too bad at all. It's going to be difficult to actually have to do work once next semester comes around. Having two classes with minimal work really is just being on vacation, as long as I pass... (Hi mom and dad! I'm really doing lots of studying!)

So during the week my friends Peter, Daniel and Anja and I decided to take a weekend trip to Belgium. After much deliberation, we decided on Antwerp and Bruges as our destinations. Unfortunately for me, I had class until 5 on Friday (the one downer concerning my class schedule) so the three of them headed out early Friday morning and I caught up with them after class. Despite an extra long bus ride and sketchily walking around, I finally met up with mis amigos and we headed straight to a bar when I got there, a nice jazz cafe where we could sit outside in a little courtyard. Belgium beer really is great. It's so tasty and I'm sorry to say, puts American beer to shame. While we were enjoying though, Peter remembered that he forgot the combination to our super creepy hostel that was far outside of the city. We were worried so we headed back to our hostel in the creepy park to see if we could break in... not that we had to, because the back door was left open? Needless to say, I was very afraid of this hostel and of the potential zombies that the boys told us were after us. Singing Valerie and Rehab by Amy Winehouse got us through.

Saturday we headed back into the center, for lunch, de Katherdraal, more cathedrals, chocolate, and lots of picture taking. and more beer of course! Unfortunately Anja had to leave us, but then the boys and ifound a little bar that was nice and cozy, followed by way too many fries (they are apparently the best in belgium- i don't agree) with different sauces. Despite being so full, we walked and went to a really fancy and expensive restaurant - but it was so worth it- salmon with a citrus garlic butter and rice. MMM! After that we were full and satisfied and happy, and the sight of Bruges was on the agenda!

On Sunday we took a train to Bruges, very afraid that the weather was going to downpour the whole time. Luckily, not the case the whole time. We walked through a yard sale/ antique sale/ flea market. We wandered and took pictures and saw more cathedrals ("seen 'em once, you've seen 'em all!" -me and daniel) Then we went to yet another bar, this one had over 250 types of beer. We drank 9 types (sharing of course!) and my favorite was the Kwak because it came in a sweet glass (insert picture i don't have yet). The rest of the day was more walking and we had food at an irish pub! Yum! But more fries. I think after being off of fries for 6 months and then eating them all weekend was a bad choice. No more fries. That night the three of us were exhausted so we just watched south park in german at the hostel. Very funny. Monday morning was still quite a drag- why am I an old lady! I have to get my energy levels up. But we did some more sightseeing, more cathedrals, and windmills! I bought some chocolates, but unfortunately put them in my bag and fell asleep on them so they were a nice melted mess when I found them. And we had pannekoeken and irish coffee, that i had been craving all weekend! And it would've a perfect end to the trip, had we not had 5 hours to travel by bus and train after that ... should've only been 2! Oh well, overall I give the weekend a 7 out of 10. :) Great first trip, great friends, great food and drinks, and it was nice to get away for the weekend, even if it means I'll be broke until the end of eternity.

Now back to the "real world" not really sure what that entails, but I'm assuming it means I should actually start studying. This weekend is a huge festival in Leiden, celebrating the fact its not part of Spain. :)

I'll post some pictures soon, since my camera died after one picture in Bruges I have to wait to see some of Daniel's. Pathetic! I can't believe myself for letting the camera die.

CIAO!

Sunday bike ride! Peter Andrea and I

some friends! Peter, me and Anja (Lasagna!)
I'm already sucking at updating! Class started last week, and my schedule is nothing to frown about, except for Fridays go until 5 pm, but only for half the semester which is nice. The system here is very strange! I'm only in 2 classes but they are really intense- comparative analysis of political systems and social movements. I didn't anticipate actually having to do work here!

Basically I still have yet to go to Amsterdam (good god!) but I will get there eventually. Life here is great, first cold of the season but that was bound to happen wherever i am. I've been exploring more, drinking koffie at cafes, not enjoying the weather, going to class. There has been some stressful points, but I really feel like a growned up, doing all this stuff on my own. It's slightly enjoyable, it's like real life (except in Europe)

I enjoy all of my conversations with everyone I've met, they are all just so interesting and well travelled and well read and INTERESTING. sometimes way over my head. Silly little American girl :) And such good cooks! I will die when I have to go back to my own cooking. I should start taking pictures of the food and/or learning how to cook these great dishes. Tonight we had 5 euro pizza and prosciutto and pears, which was awesome, and last night really spaghetti carbonara made by a real italiano! YUM. Lots of pasta.

I love riding my bike, but I have lots of bruises on my legs which apparently should not be the case at all. We rode around a park on sunday, and it was very lovely. I also booked a trip to Florence with my friend Peter for October 9th, and am contemplating Belgium for next weekend! I must go places! I already feel like I'm running out of weekends to travel! Luckily I have about a month at the end of the semester, so I might just have to be a non-stop traveler then (I can be ambitious now because it's months away!)

I must also get better at sending letters/postcards. I'm terrible at these kinds of things.

On another note, I registered for birthright! So hopefully the first trip of 2010 will be to Israel :) I probably have more to say but my cold is terrible and it's downpouring and it makes me want to get into bed and be warm! Ciao!

My posts have been way positive. But only because I am just so happy here! Yesterday was lovely, I ate great pita vegatiska (vegetarian...whatever it is in dutch) at this greek restaurant at the end of our street (also open really late on weekends for some latenight munchies! its even remotely healthy. except maybe the baklava!) I need to take a photo of it because the sight of it makes your mouth water. This is also an excuse for me to get more! A few friends and I just sat and relaxed in the sun for hours. Today was not such a great day, very overwhelming with all the stuff to do for class and life. STRESS! I'm in the process of figuring out my schedule- i have mondays and tuesdays off, but fridays until 5. which is not okay with me. but that's only for half the semester, so I guess I will deal. I've been meeting friends that are very willing and happy to do some traveling! We have been planning various trips, and I think I'll be doing some solo traveling as well. Hopefully we can all figure out times that will work. I'm trying to decide about this weekend, but I still haven't made it to Amsterdam so maybe I should do that!

Yesterday a few of us rode bikes to the north sea, to the beach, and just sat and enjoyed the most perfect day- for september in Holland it was amazing! It really made me feel right at home, being a lazy beach bum for the day brings me back to every day of this summer and last. Yes, lazy bones I am!

There was a wooden sign that had the distances to New York and Key West, and another sign that said Key West. Toto we're not in holland anymore? Anyway, The sea wasn't even too chilly, I might've gone swimming had I had my bathingsuit bottoms on. No rain for days has been great. But it will start. :( I'm getting anxious and nervous for classes, but interested to see how they will be run. I will definitely be doing some comparisons of class here versus UVM.

As for the bike, yes, I officially have one. His name is austijn, pronounced ow-shtine! Ha! Love him. I had to do some repairs on him but he is in wonderful condition for now. I'm afraid of riding in the bad weather...I don't want to ride into the canal! Unless its frozen.

Next time, hopefully I'll have gone to class. MAYBE. au revoir!

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined." -Henry David Thoreau

<- (Gracht! Herengracht to be exact!) I feel like Leiden is a fairy tale land (except for the on and off rain/downpour that comes out of nowhere, because there are no mountains to stop the rain/clouds from moving so quickly). The cobblestone streets and little shops and all the people riding their bikes around everywhere! I'm getting a bike so soon I'll be one of the dutch! minus the speaking part. Freetranslation.com has been my best friend for looking things up online, (although i looked up what herengracht means (my street) and it said pin ditch, so maybe its not so accurate...uh-oh) Everyone does speak English so it really isn't terribly difficult to get around. Also, and luckily, at the supermarket I can match foods with what they are called. And everything is so inexpensive! Spending less than 20 euro for a shopping trip is crazy. I've been exploring Leiden, where the buildings are for class and library and cafes and shops. There is a bontanical garden here, that I haven't seen yet but I heard it is really beautiful. I can't wait to see all the museums, and am going to Amsterdam this weekend. Since the city is so old, all of the buildings have gorgeous architecture and facades.

I've really just been getting adjusted and eating and drinking lots of good things; stroopwafels and dutch pancakes and lots and lots of chocolate, and lots and lots of heineken (flows like water here, i'm starting to think that's whats in the canals). The attitude here is slow and everything is just relaxed and there is no rush. Even getting your check at a restaurant could take hours if you don't ask. I'm currently trying to plan my trips that i want to do but it's hard without knowing my class schedule. Last night we went to a bar called cafe de bonte koe (the multi-colored cow!) My picture-taking is sorely lacking but I will be putting them up on facebook and/or kodakgallery when there are enough to not look pathetic.

Life is good. I feel like I belong here! Happy days!

nothing like a wine tasting to start the day...

I'm here! Safely! The adventure really started the minute I got through security in Boston. I sat next to an English man who taught me that "fanny pack" is NOT something you want to talk about in public. Yes, I am so internationally challenged. At least that first lesson is out of the way. The flights were interesting, iceland is surprisingly beautiful. Everyone has been really nice and friendly. A few of us went to a cover band last night on the canal, which was cool, but the music was terrible. So far so good! I like it.

AHHHH 8 DAYS AWAY!!!

Since I've written in this, I have successfully bought a ticket to Holland! In 8 days I will be on my way. I'm sad to see the summer end. It was a blast - lots of trips (VT, NH, CA, more vermont...) and spending time with the most wonderful people in the world. I feel spoiled and so thankful for everyone, and will miss them all...but...

I'LL BE IN HOLLAND FOR 4 MONTHS. AHHHHH

That is all for now. Next post will be from across the big pond!

See ya later america,

Emma G

Summertime and the livin's easy

<- Future home for 5 months!

So I've been in the lovely 02045 for two weeks now, and although I will not be heading to the Netherlands for 96 days (well, officially I will be there September 1st...the real date I arrive will be determined when I actually buy my plane tickets...minor detail). But I am getting so excited that I thought I would start a blog that I will try very hard to update!

I will be studying at Leiden University in Leiden for the fall semester. As much as I love UVM (and we all know this is the straight up truth ha) I am extremely ready to be away from VT. I have a few friends studying in Europe for the semester, so traveling to see them is a definite, no question about it.

Anyway, as I actually have things to update I will. For now, afscheid!

Emma G