it's about 56F today and it feels so wonderful. the sun is out and the roaring winds have lulled into some lazy breezes. it's the most beautiful day we've had so far, and the first that i've been out with bare legs and sandals.
i know better than to hope that it'll stay this way, but a girl can dream!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
playing catch up
part of the appeal of coming to europe to study was the prospect of traveling. this is the first weekend i've stayed in utrecht. usually i travel with other american exchange students.
january 10&11
i had assignments to go to Utrecht Centraal Museum (saturday) and to go to Delft (sunday) for my dutch language and culture program.
january 17&18
amsterdam
(these last two images i borrowed from a friend)
january 24
Rotterdam
i did see the famous cube apartment buildings, but unfortunately didn't get a good picture. Rotterdam was very crowded when we were there because we were at the saturday market. also, the netherlands is one of the few countries that still has organ grinders (first picture).
january 31
Den Haag/The Hague, where parliament is along with Mauritshaus (where there are Rembrandts and "the Girl with the Pearl Earring" among other famous paintings).
this was the first time we came across a chinatown. naturally, we had chinese for dinner.
february 6, 7, & 8
Belgium: Bruges for two nights and Brussels on the last day. (we thought Bruges was much prettier than Utrecht.)
(view from the top of the brewery that we toured)
(Bruges is famous for it's lace)
(in the pub that was part of our hostel)
(the Mannekin Pis in Brussels)
i, of course, tried the chocolate and their waffels. both are very good.
on valentine's day, i went out with a group of american students that started here in the fall. we were going to see a movie, but it sold out. instead we got hot chocolate and played bananagrams. on the ride back, i veered too far out of the street (to avoid a car) and hit a small cement divider and it nearly tore my right big toe nail off. my friend helped me take care of it when i got back to campus. it doesn't look too bad and doesn't hurt anymore, but it was the most 'traumatic' experience i've had yet.
this upcoming weekend is Carnival (like Mardis Gras) and we're all planning on heading to the southern part of the country, Maastricht, to celebrate.
as far as school goes, none of my classes seem particularily difficult; they're a lot more reading and work than what i'm used to at UCSC. the school system here also seems disorganized compared to back home, especially for exchange students. i've had a lot ofproblems trying to get books for one of my classes. they don't have my student ID card ready either, so i can't even check things out at the library. i was able to order my books, and it seems like i'm one of the lucky ones since my books got here within a few days (opposed to the weeks others in my class are waiting) and a year long exchange student has checked out books for me.
january 10&11
i had assignments to go to Utrecht Centraal Museum (saturday) and to go to Delft (sunday) for my dutch language and culture program.
january 17&18
amsterdam
(these last two images i borrowed from a friend)
january 24
Rotterdam
i did see the famous cube apartment buildings, but unfortunately didn't get a good picture. Rotterdam was very crowded when we were there because we were at the saturday market. also, the netherlands is one of the few countries that still has organ grinders (first picture).january 31
Den Haag/The Hague, where parliament is along with Mauritshaus (where there are Rembrandts and "the Girl with the Pearl Earring" among other famous paintings).
this was the first time we came across a chinatown. naturally, we had chinese for dinner.
february 6, 7, & 8
Belgium: Bruges for two nights and Brussels on the last day. (we thought Bruges was much prettier than Utrecht.)
(view from the top of the brewery that we toured)
(Bruges is famous for it's lace)
(in the pub that was part of our hostel)
(the Mannekin Pis in Brussels)
i, of course, tried the chocolate and their waffels. both are very good.
* * *
on valentine's day, i went out with a group of american students that started here in the fall. we were going to see a movie, but it sold out. instead we got hot chocolate and played bananagrams. on the ride back, i veered too far out of the street (to avoid a car) and hit a small cement divider and it nearly tore my right big toe nail off. my friend helped me take care of it when i got back to campus. it doesn't look too bad and doesn't hurt anymore, but it was the most 'traumatic' experience i've had yet.
this upcoming weekend is Carnival (like Mardis Gras) and we're all planning on heading to the southern part of the country, Maastricht, to celebrate.
as far as school goes, none of my classes seem particularily difficult; they're a lot more reading and work than what i'm used to at UCSC. the school system here also seems disorganized compared to back home, especially for exchange students. i've had a lot ofproblems trying to get books for one of my classes. they don't have my student ID card ready either, so i can't even check things out at the library. i was able to order my books, and it seems like i'm one of the lucky ones since my books got here within a few days (opposed to the weeks others in my class are waiting) and a year long exchange student has checked out books for me.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
i couldn't hold out any longer
four weeks after i first landed in this low, frosty country i'm making the commitment of a public journal; partly for me, but mostly for you. for myself i've been trying to keep something tangible that i can dig out and remind myself of the five months i spent in europe in college.
this is a picture i took of one of my first mornings here in utrecht, specifically at UCU. i was still getting used to short days (sunrise around 8 or 9, sunset around 4 or 5) and all this white stuff on the trees and grass. as much as the cold made my ears sting and cheeks go numb, it made for a beautiful beginning.
this is a picture i took of one of my first mornings here in utrecht, specifically at UCU. i was still getting used to short days (sunrise around 8 or 9, sunset around 4 or 5) and all this white stuff on the trees and grass. as much as the cold made my ears sting and cheeks go numb, it made for a beautiful beginning.
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