Weekend in the Red Light District

So our first weekend after AID was over, two girls that were in my group and I decided to take a weekend trip to the legendary Amsterdam! I was so stoked...but kinda nervous about staying at a hostel. I had only heard stories about hostels, so I had NO idea what to expect. We (and by 'we' I mean Hanna) reserved a room at a local hostel ahead of time that was at a great location so that we could walk everywhere!


We left early Saturday morning in a car of a friend that we met earlier during AID. He works in Amsterdam so he said he was already going there, so he offered to give the three of us a ride and show us around a bit until he had to head to work. The ride there was great! When I took the train from Amsterdam to Wageningen the first day I arrived, I was SO tired that I passed out in the train and never got to see the landscape or any surroundings. So, while on the car ride there, I got to see many pastures of cows and windmills (so very Dutch!) haha! 


Amsterdam is an absolutely beautiful city!! It was so busy and so much to see! We actually went there the weekend of the festival called Uitmarkt, which celebrates the end of summer and the beginning of their upcoming cultural calendar. There were bands playing all over and large crowds of people (but I think the crowds are very typical in Amsterdam). We watched one of the orchestras perform and they were so good (picture shown below). 


Our eating and drinking experiences were great! I think while we were there Hanna, Emelie, and I went to at least four cafes! And sorry to report...but I am STILL not a coffee-drinker. I just prefer hot cocoa, but I am starting to drink tea more. So, that is a small step! Each cafe was so different from the next. I really enjoyed how open all of the cafes were and how you could sit inside or outside under the umbrellas! Eating was also fun while in Amsterdam...the first night there we went out for sushi (I had been cravinggg sushi and luckily Hanna and Emelie also both love sushi)! The next day for lunch we had the ultimate Italian meal (so very un-Dutch of us haha) and we went to a pizzeria. The food was sooo good...until Hanna found some unwanted hair in her pizza. But, the guy made her a fresh one and so all was forgiven haha!


The second day we were in Amsterdam, we rented a 'canal bike' to cruise around the canals and look at the city from a different, and lower, view! This was by far my FAVORITE part of Amsterdam (besides our lovely tour of the red light district, of course haha jk). But really...the canal ride was great. And it wasn't just a ride...we were in like a paddle boat. And I am horrible at reading maps, so good thing Emelie and Hanna understood them or else we probably would have just gone in circles! I have NO sense of direction...I figured once I started traveling that all of this wisdom would just sink in finally, but that is false. I took SO many pictures of the architecture and other boats and bikes that we saw from the canal ride. We passed this one boat that was enjoying wine and sandwiches and this lady started asking us if we wanted some! haha it was so funny...but everyone is just really that friendly!  


I wish I could say that we went to all of those art museums and the Anne Frank house and such, but we really had no time! Once you get to Amsterdam, you just feel so overwhelmed with the energy and the people watching and just plain walking around that we did not go to any museums. We did, however, walk about Vondelpark. This park is hugeee and beautiful and so busy! I felt so un-active being in the part since everyone there was running, speed walking, biking, roller blading, walking their dog, or something! We saw so many parents that would run alongside of their kid who was biking...impressive! By the time we had 'settled' into Amsterdam, it was already time for us to take the train back to Wageningen. No need to be sad for us though, we already have plans to go back to Amsterdam and do more of the intellectual side of Amsterdam! So...get pumped for that future blog entry! 


Traveling from Amsterdam to Wageningen is very simple. Just a one hour train ride and you are right in the middle of the city. Actually, on September 16th I will be going to Amsterdam again to see Uncle Curt and meet for dinner. Exciting! But, I think I am gonna go in a bit early (since I have NO classes on Wednesday) to buy a watch. I found a watch there on this trip to Amsterdam, but I did not purchase it because I still wanted to shop around. But, I have now made up my mind that that should be my Amsterdam souvenir...hopefully the parents will agree (?) !! Anddd...(just to make this purchase sound more convincing)...watches are very practical. 


Take a look at the pictures...Amsterdam was beautiful! 

the orchestra performing in the middle of a square for the festival

found a Bucs jersey in a secondhand shop

the canals and buildings were so beautiful

Hanna and I at Vondelpark in Amsterdam

the 'canal bike' that we rented

while on the canal bike...what a view and a beautiful day

Group Butterflies and the Annual Introduction Days

On Friday, August 21st the Annual Introduction Days (or AID) began. Prior to coming to the Netherlands, I received an e-mail from my mentor that would guide my group and I through these orientation days. You call these mentors your 'mum' and 'dad', but my group had two mums. Actually, one of our mums was sick so she did not join our group until later in the week. So by the end of AID, my group had had FIVE mums haha!


The purpose of AID is to familiarize yourself with the campus and other important places...such as a supermarket, bike store, restaurants, where to get an international phone, etc. The group I was placed in was primarily for first year Masters students because I was told that the groups filled with Bachelors students are typically all Dutch-speaking people. My AID group had, I think, 24 people in it and only three of the students were Dutch. It was so interesting meeting people from all over...and I truly mean ALL over. Places such as China, Latvia, Bulgaria, Peru, Ecuador, Canada, Sweden, Norway, South Africa, and so many other places that I can't even remember! We were such a diverse group but we all got along really well. Even though each person had their own native language, everyone was able to speak English. Sometimes I felt so ignorant because everyone can speak at least TWO languages, but most knew more than two. Especially those from Europe. And everyone is so modest and won't just come right out and gloat that they know 6 languages! Soooo nuts!


Oh, you are probably wondering why we were called the 'Butterflies'...and that is because on the first day of AID your mentors would give you something to distinguish yourself from other groups. Some people were given capes or banana hats or happy birthday hats or plungers to carry around. And we were given butterflies that you could clip to your hair or shirts! And THAT is why we were called Group Butterflies haha!


I do not even know where to start when explaining the AID!! We were pretty busy all day with various activities, such as one night we had a comedy night! The comedy night took place at a building that had a bunch of different stages and you could pick which theatre you wanted to go into depending on the different comedians that were performing. Luckily, there was a stage that only featured English comedians haha! We also had a sports day where we competed with our group against other groups in various sports...I really should look up what the names of some of the sports are...! It was a really fun day and the weather was beautiful so it was perfect to be outside all day! I wore my Florida Gators t-shirt that day and I actually had a couple people approach me about my shirt...gooo Gators!


I learned a lot during these introduction days, including where certain things are located. Now I feel much more comfortable bike riding around the town and finding a specific store or ice cream shoppe (yes...there is an awesome gelato shoppe that I have already frequented more than I wish to admit)! Right outside this shoppe, there is a jewelry store that has very interesting pieces. I am shocked by how small the town of Wageningen is (I think like 30,000 people) yet they have a large range of stores....like many modern ones filled with different and uncomfortable-looking furniture!


We went to the market one day during AID. Every Wednesday and Saturday there is a market in the town centre where they sell fruit, meat, cheese, flowers, plates, fabric, and even dog treats! It is so great that it occurs so often because it is a great place to buy fresh, cheap food and enjoy the open air.


The only downside to AID was that we were so busy all-day everyday that I had no time to really meet my corridor mates. I would be gone by 9am and not return until...late! But after these days were through, I knew I would have time to meet the people on my floor.


Now back to getting home late (haha!)...here in Holland they have 'associations' which are like fraternities and sororities. Except associations are co-ed. During AID, these different associations would throw parties at night, which was their way of recruiting new members. These associations were SO fun and had the craziest themes and different DJs each night! So the week after AID, the people that signed up to join an association had to go through their initiation week. One of the parties we went to turned the dance floor into a rollerblading rink. I have not been rollerblading in FOREVER but it was very fun with everyone running into walls and attempting to stay standing while still dancing and singing to the music! Another themed party was the silent disco. You walked into the association and were given headphones to put on. So, the song playing in my headphones would be different than the person next to me. You would see people dancing to their own song around the room and it was hilarious to watch cause you would be wondering what song they were listening to! There was also a foam party that was crazy...and wet. One thing is for sure...Dutch people sure do know how to throw a party haha!


I am really glad that I chose to study abroad in the Fall because the AID are only offered in the Fall for the incoming Masters and Bachelor students! I would recommend everyone coming to Wageningen to participate in these days because you really meet a lot of people and get to know the town and the Dutch culture much better!


Ohh...that's something I forgot to mention: one of the activities we attended was like a crash course in Dutch. We were given a cheat sheet of common words and phrases that we should learn. Everything from "good morning" and "thank you" to "can I have a beer"! Another event during AID was going to the International Club. There are a few different international clubs at Wageningen. So, there was a day where all the international students would check these clubs out and while we were doing that the Dutch students would be taken on tours of the different associations! Every Thursday the international club meets at a specific pub where you get the chance to meet other international students. So, I am definitely planning on going to just see how it is! I still have not met anyone from the United States yet, so I am on a hunt to find at least one person from there haha! I'll keep you posted on how my search goes!

one of the activities on Sports Day

at the roller blading partyyyy

at the foam party

saw a movie at the town centre and people brought MATTRESSES to sit on

at a concert during AID with part of Group Butterflies

hanna and I preparing to bike to the next party

3 planes, 1 train, and a taxi ride later...

Well...I finally made it to Holland!!! After many preparations, including buying a raincoat and umbrella, I am all settled into my dorm room (or 'flat' as they say here) at Wageningen University. Woot!

The trip here was not too bad since I always fall asleep no matter the mode of transportation (yes...i am very fortunate to have this rare gift). My 6-hour flight from Philly to England was especially great since I sat next to a guy that I SWEAR is David Beckham's younger brother!! And this guy had the English accent and played soccer as well. Even better news...he just graduated from Eckerd College in Florida. Coincidence?

Hmm what other random information could I bore whoever reads this blog? On the international flight I watched the movie "Sunshine Cleaning". I wouldn't recommend it though. While in the England airport, I thoroughly enjoyed the Duty Free shopping that is available there (just don't tell my parents...)!

So the Amsterdam airport is nice...UNTIL you must go retrieve your luggage. I don't know if it was just my flight or if every flight must wait this long, but our luggage did not come to the baggage claim for almost 2 hours after we landed. Whaaaat!? I pretty much just wanted to abandon my suitcases, but I stayed because I really wanted to use my new umbrella...it is pretty awesome!

Because of the super fast luggage service in Amsterdam, I was too late to check into my flat and get the keys and such, sooo I had to go to a hotel for my first night. Scary. I have never even eaten or gone to a movie by myself...let alone stay at a hotel my myself! Well the hotel was very nice and the people were helpful in pointing out a place where I can buy a bike and dinner and such. It is weird cause now that I know my way around Wageningen, I now realize how close that hotel was to EVERYTHING! Haha when I first got there I had no idea where I was and I felt like I was eons away from the University.

Thursday, August 20th I moved into my flat and met my corridor mates and started to settle in. I am living in the room called Dijkgraaf. Yes...that is the actual spelling! It is pronounced dike-graph (or at least that is how I pronounce it haha)! I am on the first floor...so if there is a fire then I will only need to jump one floor down. That is totally do-able! My room is awesome...especially now since my mom sent me a UofI flag to hang up on my wall (Thanks mom!) I have also hung up the calendar that I made that has a collage of pictures for each month and the pictures are of all my faves...both friends and family! Love it!

The bike I bought (so I can fit in with the entire Dutch population) is brown. And only has foot breaks. It is definitely an old school bike but it does its function very well! Okay...so the whole foot breaks thing though was very hard for me to grasp the entire first day. After I bought the bike I was so excited (and nervous...since I couldn't remember the last time I rode a bike). So, I am leaving the bike shop (Breet Bikes...best store everrrr) and I get on and start biking. And I am very proud of myself for still being upright on the bike. Then...the light turns red. Red means stop...even in Holland. Then it hit me...how in the world am I gonna stop?! I kinda flail around a little and somehow discovered that this bike has foot breaks! So...no need to worry. I now know how to stop my bike. People injured before reaching this realization: zero.

Yes...I am writing this blog in hindsight. But after like 3 more posts then I will be all caught up to the present! Get excited!

my flat...looks much more comfy now but I just don't have an updated picture

the view from my balcony