Some 'dam updates.doc

Firstly, I haven't heard any new information regarding my accommodation - the housing office is extremely lax. I marched in there yesterday to demand ANSWERS as to what was going on...and they pacified me with a smile and a cup of tea. How can you be mad when the Dutch people are so pleasant? They assured me that by Friday I'd receive an email telling me whether I'd be staying in this room or moving two floors down in and around January 26. My decision has been to completely unpack and then if I have to move, just do it strategically so that every item can just be transported to its exact location two floors down. Thus, I am completely settled into the room.

There are two Amsterdam home students suppose to be on their way to Warwick for mobility but have been held back due to visa issues. It completely sucks for them, but great for us since they've been amazing guides to the city. We met with them two days ago and they gave us a tour of the university buildings and an 'in' about how to maximize our Amsterdam experience: a three month museum card, discount theatre tickets, the best places to get a coffee, and even a thorough tour through the red-light district. One of the buildings we study in is technically in the red-light district. I'm sure I won't get to say that again.

They took us to a super trendy cafe called Geels & Co. It's close to school and has some amazing types of tea and coffee. The best part, however, was the homemade scones which come with fresh cream and jars of jam to spread liberally over the pastry. Apparently people come from far and wide to take home their jams - we dined on lemon curd and pineapple spice. Needless to say, they were delicious. From there we were taken to another area of the city which I hadn't visited before. It had a lot of the theatres and places to buy tickets. Since Amsterdam is one of the more popular cities in mainland Europe, it gets a lot of really great touring productions. It sounds like I'll be able to see some incredible theatre this term. I also learned that you could get a month pass to the cinema for 17 Euros (as many movies as you like). Since I've been movie deprived the past few months, it's a tempting offer - I've seen hardly any GG and soon to be Oscar films.

Yesterday, Bec and I checked out the city's largest outdoor market called Albert-Cuypmarkt. The fruit, vegetable, meat, fish, and clothing stalls span nearly two miles! While we were only there to browse, I plan to make it a weekly visit to cut down on food costs. The fruit and veg is fresh and much cheaper than that in the supermarket. I saw a stand advertising three avocados for 99 cents! We walked for a good three hours through various parts of the city. I'm continually amazed at the variety of stores and shops here - in our travels we must have walked by eight bakeries, six cheese shops, a couple of butchers, and at least fifty restaurants and cafes. It's similar in big centres like London and Paris where it seems that all these specialty shops and restaurants can survive even though there are so many of them. My guess is that the annual influx of tourists must be what sustains them.

I've come to understand a lot about The Netherlands in this past week and I'm sure it will accumulate as the term goes on. Some of the more interesting items I've learned:

i) Holland is actually a region inside The Netherlands and thus, an incorrect term when referring to the whole country. People don't like it when you call the country Holland.

ii) I've been told that the Dutch are a reserved people. Although they are very warm, they generally keep to themselves and are very quiet about their private lives.

iii) The 'g' and the 'ch' are pronounced like the 'ch' sound in 'loch' - I imagine this to be a flemmy type of 'kh' sound. I'll have to find out how it's really suppose to sound. I think I'll avoid trying to order a mug of Grolsch in the meantime.

iv) It's rude to leave a table during a meal, even if you have to go to the bathroom. I wonder if bladders will be tested sometime in the term.

v) There are corner stalls selling raw herring which you are suppose to eat by raising its tail over your head and devouring it upwards. There is also the less messy option of having it on a bun. I haven't indulged yet, but I'll get back to you.

Today I'm headed to TMobile to try and obtain a Netherlands phone number. Luckily, I don't think this will cost too much as pay-as-you-go plans are all the rage here in Europe. Tomorrow evening we're going to see one of our fellow classmates, a resident Dutch girl who will going to Warwick on mobility, perform in a dance piece.

Doc's Prescription of the Day: This website has been extremely helpful in learning about Dutch traditions and culture. If you plan to visit, or would find pleasure in picturing me bumble through these activities, I encourage you to take a look:
How to Survive Holland
(Not calling it Holland would be the first step!)

Also, for interest's sake, check out Obama's new ride.