Chris and I had a very fun time in Amsterdam and I’m so glad he got to visit. I really enjoyed hanging out with him in NL. He has made it back safely to Nashville but I know he’s probably ready to return to South Africa!
As of Saturday, I’ve been busy moving from Amsterdam to Utrecht and from a hotel to an apartment. It’s been really great, but I haven’t really had a chance to reflect on anything b/c it’s been so busy! My roommates are great–one from Portugal, one from Spain, and one from Pittsburgh, PA. They all follow the Dutch Language Course as well and our apartment is in an area with lots of international students. I will post more details later.
Today I had had enough traipsing around winding streets for six days in a row (and my feet were pretty much threatening to fall off), so I bought a bike this morning. It is a great bike and I will post a picture of it later. It’s pink and it’s old, but it’s so perfect. It is my favorite way of integrating into Dutch culture so far. Speaking of integrating into Dutch culture, we had our first class this morning. It was good overall. I’m going to have to study hard, but I’m really excited about learning the language, so it’ll be fun to study. It is also helpful that my roommates are all following the same course so we can practice with one another. After only one class, I was already ordering food and talking to our ober (waiter) in Dutch! Not bad, I’d say . . . I definitely still have a long way to go!
Anyway, so I’m settling in here. It’s been a whirlwind of the last six days; that’s for sure! I need to go grab some groceries with my Portuguese roommate, Sissi (pronounced: C C) before the summerschool night activities begin. Tonight there is a free Dutch film and I believe a soccer tournament tomorrow! I also have to find some time to study and work on other commitments!
Again, I will post more pics and details later, but I’m trying to give the people what they want right now!
Tot straks!
Yo Yo, greetings from Tallahassee. Kudos on the integration– from buying bikes to getting groceries without plastic bags– it’s the best way to get to know why cultures work the way they do. As for the language skills– get thee to a bar and get sociable. Roommates who are studying with you are a bonus, but the first to get a native-speaker to converse regularly with them is the winner. And never you mind the singular antecedent for that plural them… Prost, Matty D
By: MattyD on 4 August 2008
at 11:02 pm
Sounds like you are making progress. It is good to have roommates you get along and can have some fun with. Matty is right on learning the language from a native-speaker.
Love, Mom and Dad
By: Mom and Dad on 7 August 2008
at 4:54 am