Sunshine, Lollipops, and....doc

Amsterdam has exploded. Have you read about it in international news? Probably not. The explosion has been of the spring variety. Patios have extended beyond the bounds of the inside, dogs are frolicking around like they own the city, and work has been shirked for more adventurous outdoor pursuits. I've enjoyed the city for the past three months, but I'm beginning to fall in love with Amsterdam in warmer temperatures.

The start of school work after the long reading week break was difficult, but the beautiful weather has made it all the more palpable. We started a new course in Japanese Theatre this week - the prof is really great and it's challenging to learn about theatrical conventions so different from those we know in the West. I had a presentation this week in my Theories of International Performance class that went really well. The presentation was on the work of Joost Smiers who is a cultural theorist writing about the intersection of arts and economics. He proposes an abolishment of copyright that would give more agency to artists (really interesting stuff).

On Tuesday I decided to take an extended bike ride through the city. I've described before about how much becoming an "Amsterdam biker" has changed my perspective on the city, but it has been so altering it's hard to blog about. I now feel like I've made the (all important) transition from tourist to city citizen. My bike ride was a two hour journey through the important spots in the city which included Vondelpark (the Amsterdam version of Central Park). It's a long winding path through beautiful parkland filled with bikes, picnics, spots to read, and, of course, loads of bohemian gatherings. It's quickly becoming one of my favourite spots in the city and the newest landmark to introduce to visitors.

Today, after our three hour class, Bec and I biked down to the park to welcome the warmest day of the year yet. We bought a six pack from the local grocery (for 5.50 Euros) and set off for the bohemian paradise. I wish you could have seen the place; picnics and chilling as far as the eye could see. We set our bikes again a big old tree to people watch for a solid two hours. The first matter of business was to discuss our upcoming move to the UK (scheduled for July 1) and the second was to enjoy the sights and sounds of Amsterdam spring. We saw bikers of all ages, the token fitness enthusiasts jog here and there, all variety of dogs, and the occasional roving gang of teenagers just let out from school. It was one of the best afternoons I've had in Europe. We scheduled an MAIPR picnic in Vondelpark for the coming weeks.

I would be remiss in mentioning the experience I had at Wok to Walk yesterday with Courtney. After a long day of library diligence, we treated ourselves to dinner at one of Europe's best fast food outlets. Walk to Wok is the Subway of Chinese food. First, you choose a base (three different kinds of rice and four different types of noodles), you add to that a protein or a type of vegetable, and finally, you choose a sauce that pulls the whole meal together. We joined the lineup that stretched outside the door and, after fifteen minutes, enjoyed a wonderful feast. The portions are beyond generous.

I thought April would be a month spent staring up at the grindstone, and in some respects it will be, but at the same time I'm enjoying the benefits of spring in a metropolis. In addition to enjoying the sunshine (no lollipops yet) I've also started a fantastic book Emily lent me called Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris that was also recommended by our friend Michael. It's proving to be the perfect spring read. Life is good in the city.

Doc's Prescription for the Day: I wish I could transport the joys of Vondelpark and Walk to Wok to you all but it's not possible. Those of you who visit in May (six guests and counting) will be able to reap the benefits. Instead, enjoy this video by Goldfrapp entitled Happiness which reflects my mood at present. Enjoy the sunshine.