North, West, South, Easter.doc

The title of this weekend's entry is in reference to the incredible amount of biking I did this Easter weekend. I went harder, faster, stronger in each direction that I ever have before. I think I swallowed three bugs in total.

Friday was the beginning of my bike travels. It was such a gorgeous day (the first that had broken 20 degrees) so I decided to throw some water and lunch into my backpack (alongside my book), flip my ipod on shuffle, and hit the open road. I had intended to just whip around the city charting a spontaneous route. After ten minutes of biking east, I followed a sign that indicated a path to the North Amsterdam. I had heard a lot about this part of the city - it's quiet, serene, and beautiful. It is, however, quite a trek to get up into the North so I decided to bite the bullet and commit to a really long ride.

Most people take the free ferry to the North (since it's separated from Amsterdam main land). After consulting the map after the fact, I realized I had wandered upon the only other way to get north from the city. The route stretches over a large man-made bridge. The downside is that there is a lot of uphill peddling, but the upside is the downward cruising as a reward for all the hard work. Once I reached the opposit side I first went west and wandered through an incredibly quaint town. The houses were incredibly close together and everyone was out enjoying beverages in the sun. I doubled back and headed even further North. After twenty minutes of peddling, I found myself staring out at seemingly infinite stretches of flat land on either side with not a fellow traveller in sight. Lazy water ways beautifully scarred the flat fields - they're narrow strips of water that ensure the country won't sink (they also provide irrigation).

It was a beautiful sight - one of those, holy crap, I'm in Europe moments. I've seen a lot of beautiful architecture, eaten a lot of superior pastries, and seen some wonderful art, but this was the first time I felt surrounded by a serene and idyllic beauty. No wonder artists camp out in the fields and paint landscapes. I kept biking from small town to small town when I realized that if I didn't turn home, I probably wouldn't have enough energy to get back. On the way back, I stopped in yet another beautiful city park, called Flora, and indulged with two more chapters of my book. The one way ride was about 12kms, so I think I did about 24kms total. It's definitely not the type of afternoon I would have chosen, or been able to find in Toronto, but that's why I'm in Europe. I think I'll remember that moment in the fields for a long time to come.

That evening we went to a bizarre performance event/party hosted by an innovative media company in Amsterdam. The exhibit was about death and memory and had a variety of different interactive party events (karaoke, craft building, an outdoor walking tour, digital recording devices, and a cool photography exhibit). It was typical Amsterdam to me: quirky, off-the-wall, alternative, affordable, and artsy. I can usually tell when the event we've chosen to attend will be decent based on the collection of people that are also there. It may seem superficial but if there are a plethora of skinny jeans, suspenders, fedoras, and ray-bans, the party is generally quite good.

Saturday was spent working on the Dissertation Proposal which will be sent tomorrow for first draft feedback. The final proposal will be sent May 1 and then I can put it away for a month or two. In addition, I was able to touch base with a lot of friends and family celebrating the holidays. I reminisced with my family about hiding easter eggs in super high places so the dog wouldn't ruin the holiday, and was happy to hear that friends back home had some much deserved time off work. That evening I went for a two hour bike ride to the south and back around to the east with a friend from the conference I am working on. Afterwards, we stopped in for a few beers at a really neat patio underneath a giant windmill! Add another 15 clicks to the count.

The next day was spent like most Sundays: morning coffee, online article catch up, and a bit of work. I completed a book review (my second of the term) and then decided to 'shirk the work' (my new mantra when the weather is nice) for a trip to Vondelpark. I sat among an incredible diversity of the city's inhabitants (and of course tourists) and logged another few chapters of the Sedaris book. I never want to read too much because the book will be over - the hallmark of a great read. I found the only grocery store in town that was open on the Holiday Sunday and picked up a bottle of wine for the evening (another 6km). Friends and I, those from UVA but outside MAIPR, went to our favourite Sunday night hangout. Unfortunately, because Monday was a holiday so did everyone else. We waited in line for an excruciating hour, but the 1.50 cover is always worth it.

The holiday was busy, the weather was great, I biked over 40kms, and the Laura Secord chocolate sent from home made the weekend sweet. I hope yours was just as memorable.

Doc's Prescription of the Day: When biking in Amsterdam, you may accidently swallow a bug or two in your travels. The only prescription for that, after a long day of riding around, is an ice-cold pint.