Well. I have arrived in Tuscany just in time for the festival in Riccardo's town. Last night the whole community came together to build a giant float for the parade and ate a huge meal, family style. Today Riccardo and I will be cleaning his apartment where I will be moving into in November once the renovations are finished. Went running this morning... too many hills.
All for today as there is much to do. Ciao!
24.9.10
22.9.10
Finally Food
Some of my posts have been lacking on a certain subject that happens to be a major part of my dedication to blogging. Food.
Let me just say that cream cheese in North America should not have the word "cream" in it - for there is clearly not enough. Yesterday I went to Bagels & Beans (Yes, unfortunately a chain here in Amsterdam - But it was my first day!) I had a multigrain bagel with CREAM cheese, avocado, tomato, greens, and pepper. Truely fantastic. Makes me want to take it all home and teach North Americans how to eat! The secret is... eat what you want and then bike everywhere. There you go. Put down your diet books and your gym memberships - its really not that hard.
Unless you eat frites with mayonaise every day - because that is also fantastic! Today I think I will try the curry sauce.
I met with a good friend who has been living here for the last two years. It really is a beautiful place to live - there are many gorgeous parks! We went to a local pub, where the main demographic was the regulars. (Key for all you potential travellers - find people who live in each city to go out with!)
Katie joined me last night after landing in Schipol from the UK and we got take out stir fry (still the first day - I promise, no more chain restaurants!) and walked lesiurly through the red light district at around 10pm - slurping up our noodles and checking out the loosest part of the city - where there is also the oldest and biggest church in Amsterdam I think? Then it was back to our hostel with a 6 pack of Heineken to watch some "How I met your mother" on her iPod.
All in all a wonderful first day in Amsterdam!
Let me just say that cream cheese in North America should not have the word "cream" in it - for there is clearly not enough. Yesterday I went to Bagels & Beans (Yes, unfortunately a chain here in Amsterdam - But it was my first day!) I had a multigrain bagel with CREAM cheese, avocado, tomato, greens, and pepper. Truely fantastic. Makes me want to take it all home and teach North Americans how to eat! The secret is... eat what you want and then bike everywhere. There you go. Put down your diet books and your gym memberships - its really not that hard.
Unless you eat frites with mayonaise every day - because that is also fantastic! Today I think I will try the curry sauce.
I met with a good friend who has been living here for the last two years. It really is a beautiful place to live - there are many gorgeous parks! We went to a local pub, where the main demographic was the regulars. (Key for all you potential travellers - find people who live in each city to go out with!)
Katie joined me last night after landing in Schipol from the UK and we got take out stir fry (still the first day - I promise, no more chain restaurants!) and walked lesiurly through the red light district at around 10pm - slurping up our noodles and checking out the loosest part of the city - where there is also the oldest and biggest church in Amsterdam I think? Then it was back to our hostel with a 6 pack of Heineken to watch some "How I met your mother" on her iPod.
All in all a wonderful first day in Amsterdam!
21.9.10
Ch 1 - Points of Interest
This blogging business is complicated when there's not much time to write things down.
So here is a brief synopsis, with more detail to come later hopefully!
1. Made it to Amsterdam - safe flight, red wine, some sleep
2. Train from Schipol to Wadinxveen - mispronounced Gouda to the info lady, should've started actually speaking Dutch earlier like mom said. Met a lady from Australia, and a cute guy told me I look "very athletic" and I told him I'm not staying in Gouda - sorry, no date for you.
3. Mariete and Angret are probably the nicest people on the earth! Curious, intelligent, funny, and very knowledgeable about pretty much everything. I had a wonderful visit with them learning about my history, culture, and enjoying many cups of koffe!
4. Train to Amsterdam was decent. Like public transit everywhere (this is where I mastered the art of looking like "I know where I'm going" the blonde hair emphasises my ability to fit in, so my look may have to be adjusted when I reach Italy
5. Went to Anne Frank! Stayed as long as I wanted and had a lovely cup of koffe while reading my latest historical free download on my kindle about Amsterdam.
6. Now I shall get outside and see the Van Gogh museum - I mean the Faan CHHHHouCh (emphasising the throaty sound).
P.S. It actually has not rained once since I've been here (+) BUT Mariete's chickens didn't lay any eggs during my visit (-) I think I scared them?
So here is a brief synopsis, with more detail to come later hopefully!
1. Made it to Amsterdam - safe flight, red wine, some sleep
2. Train from Schipol to Wadinxveen - mispronounced Gouda to the info lady, should've started actually speaking Dutch earlier like mom said. Met a lady from Australia, and a cute guy told me I look "very athletic" and I told him I'm not staying in Gouda - sorry, no date for you.
3. Mariete and Angret are probably the nicest people on the earth! Curious, intelligent, funny, and very knowledgeable about pretty much everything. I had a wonderful visit with them learning about my history, culture, and enjoying many cups of koffe!
4. Train to Amsterdam was decent. Like public transit everywhere (this is where I mastered the art of looking like "I know where I'm going" the blonde hair emphasises my ability to fit in, so my look may have to be adjusted when I reach Italy
5. Went to Anne Frank! Stayed as long as I wanted and had a lovely cup of koffe while reading my latest historical free download on my kindle about Amsterdam.
6. Now I shall get outside and see the Van Gogh museum - I mean the Faan CHHHHouCh (emphasising the throaty sound).
P.S. It actually has not rained once since I've been here (+) BUT Mariete's chickens didn't lay any eggs during my visit (-) I think I scared them?
17.9.10
Prepared for Takeoff
So I’m in the airport! All of the goodbyes are over and the hellos will begin in a few short hours. I had a wonderful evening out last night with some wonderful friends. Probably the last classical French food I will have for a while, as I am going to the land of crusty bread, gouda, and milk initially and moving on to red wine, buffalo mozzarella, and steak tartar. Ok, so it’s not so bad where I’m headed. I’m not complaining! But it was great to see some key people before jetting out to the airport this sunny Friday afternoon.
I am armed with my netbook and my Kindle, which, as I have found out is quite possibly the coolest book reader ever. I was waiting in line to check my orange bandana adorned luggage whilst reading Eat, Pray, Love and low and behold – the cute guy behind me also pulls out a Kindle! Of course he was copying my fantastic taste, but he didn’t quite get it right… unfortunately he had a red cover and a white Kindle. Mine is a classy cobalt Kindle with a black cover – clearly the better choice!
I was unimpressed with KLM’s service as so far their check-in ladies are not the most personable. We’ll see how my first impressions pan out once I get boarded.
I am armed with my netbook and my Kindle, which, as I have found out is quite possibly the coolest book reader ever. I was waiting in line to check my orange bandana adorned luggage whilst reading Eat, Pray, Love and low and behold – the cute guy behind me also pulls out a Kindle! Of course he was copying my fantastic taste, but he didn’t quite get it right… unfortunately he had a red cover and a white Kindle. Mine is a classy cobalt Kindle with a black cover – clearly the better choice!
I was unimpressed with KLM’s service as so far their check-in ladies are not the most personable. We’ll see how my first impressions pan out once I get boarded.
15.9.10
Loops & Corkscrews
Whirrrrr, thump thump thump, creeeeeak, tap, tap, tap, snap, snap, snap, buzzzzzzz “please keep your hands and legs inside the vehicle at all times!” whirrrrrrrr, click, click, click, click, click ..... click.... click ...creak... TICK! -----------
And so here I am, on the precipice of the roller coaster. Everyone has gotten you very excited for the ride, discussed different experiences, emphasizing the best parts and leaving out the negative details. I stood in line for my turn, sat in the front car and strapped myself in – the seatbelt double checked by experienced personnel. And the ride starts. It goes up the first hill being assisted by the chain which is latched on by a small, yet sturdy hook. The view is beautiful! As I climb higher the anticipation becomes greater and greater. Maple trees begin to look like small rows of vineyards, mighty rivers like the canals of Amsterdam, cows begin to remind one of olives – a vehicle for something of greater worth. At some point, however, the climb begins to slow, and more attention is paid to that little chain holding you onto the track, onto safety. As the car begins to roll over the highest point it slows, seeming to allow the rest of the car to make it over the top before it begins. Who knows what loop-d-loops or corkscrews may come my way.
So here I am. Two days before my departure. At the top of the roller coaster – I am strapped in. The excitement is huge, but so is the lump in my throat as I know once that chain lets go my stomach will be so high in my throat I may not be able to breath for a moment or two. That first drop is always the biggest, and that’s when the adrenalin takes over.
And so here I am, on the precipice of the roller coaster. Everyone has gotten you very excited for the ride, discussed different experiences, emphasizing the best parts and leaving out the negative details. I stood in line for my turn, sat in the front car and strapped myself in – the seatbelt double checked by experienced personnel. And the ride starts. It goes up the first hill being assisted by the chain which is latched on by a small, yet sturdy hook. The view is beautiful! As I climb higher the anticipation becomes greater and greater. Maple trees begin to look like small rows of vineyards, mighty rivers like the canals of Amsterdam, cows begin to remind one of olives – a vehicle for something of greater worth. At some point, however, the climb begins to slow, and more attention is paid to that little chain holding you onto the track, onto safety. As the car begins to roll over the highest point it slows, seeming to allow the rest of the car to make it over the top before it begins. Who knows what loop-d-loops or corkscrews may come my way.
So here I am. Two days before my departure. At the top of the roller coaster – I am strapped in. The excitement is huge, but so is the lump in my throat as I know once that chain lets go my stomach will be so high in my throat I may not be able to breath for a moment or two. That first drop is always the biggest, and that’s when the adrenalin takes over.
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