Not sure if the smell that keeps wafting up my nostrils when I'm out walking is cigarettes, weed, my own BO, or a combination of the three.
Some typical Dutch weather from this morning, just add in the rain and wind, and you've got the idea. Finally got myself up around 8 a.m. (2 a.m. US time), had some breakfast, got my rain gear together, and headed over to De Key to finish my sign-in process. I'm now officially a resident of Amsterdam and have a Dutch bank account.
I also got my mailbox key, so send me letters! Now you have no excuse. Except maybe lack of funds for stamps and such, I feel ya on that one. Forget care packages (I know, presumptuous of me to assume they were coming my way) because I have to go to the post office to pick them up and there are apparently only a few in the city, meaning it might be kind of a trek for me.
All these letters in my mailbox, and none of them addressed to me!
Funenpark 50
1018 AK Amsterdam
The Netherlands
My plan for the day was to buy a bike, ride it to to West Amsterdam to register with the foreign police, then ride it to the location of my intake meeting to make sure I had the location down. Welp, the day didn't really go according to plan (a recurring theme here, I've realized).
My first mission in the AM was to procure transportation. I live just over the canal from a really cheap bike store, Flying Dutch. I found them on Marketplaats, the Craigslist of The Netherlands. Flying Dutch buys abandoned bikes from City Hall and sells them to students and other broke people for 50 - 300 Euro. Their garage smelled like weed, but this may explain why they were so chill when I couldn't figure out the locks they had given me or fell off the bike a couple times during my test ride. They were extremely helpful and I only spent 100 Euro total on a bike and two quality locks. I can also sell the bike back to them in January before I come home! (And just wait until you see my bike. Mmm, Lawd Jesus have mercy.) I paid, hopped on, and set off on today's errand.
The only information I could find online about the Foreign Police was from websites not their own, so I followed what I found on an expat blog and assumed the office would be open till 13:00. By the time the dudes had finished getting me situated with Bikey, it was 12:30. Of course, I couldn't find the location right away and went up and down Johan Huizinglaan too many times, but I finally located the building. The hours listed on their door said 8- 11, so I'd missed my window even if I hadn't gotten lost. I'm going to go back tomorrow, EARLY, before my orientation week begins!
On my ride home, I took my time and stopped for some photos in Vondelpark. This is Amsterdam's largest park, and was gorgeous because the weather had cleared up.
All I'm saying is...Dutch kids have mad playgrounds. Obscured by the trees because I didn't want to seem like I was creeping on the children, but I want to take more pictures of their neat equipment! They're all over town.
Tree tunnels everywhere!
BIRD
Found this doohickey with lots of thingamabobs clipped to it.
I also took some more shots of the area outside my dorm, this time on ground level.
Behind...
...and in front, to the right a bit.
Alright alright alright alright alright alright alright alright alright alright alright alright alright alright, now ladies! (And gentlemen!) I finally present to you...
MY BIKE
Isn't she beautiful? She's a little too tall, has a slight wobble in her front wheel, and her right pedal clicks when you put pressure on it, but she was only 60 Euro and I only need her for 4.5 months so who cares?
She's a tad rusty, but maybe that will deter thieves?
The handlebars face in, which is really comfy to hold, and I sit straight up on it when I ride (no hunching for me). I have one lock mounted to the back which prevents the wheel from spinning when locked, and a really good chain lock for the front wheel and frame.
Biking here is a lot easier than it looked, with the multiple stop/ go lights for pedestrians, bikers, and cars. I only flubbed like maybe twice. It feels so good to ride again, especially this baby. She's light like a road bike but sits like a beach cruiser, the best of both worlds. No basket, but a place on the back to put one/ give someone a ride. I've got her parked behind the building, so I can check on her from time to time.
Hi bikey.
Don't worry, I can see you from my room as well.
So now I've got my wheels, my residency, and my schedule for Introduction Week. I'll keep you guys updated! Keep sending emails, message me on Skype, and keep in touch! It makes being away much easier when I have contact with familiarity.
Love to you all,
Cardee
PS- This was a fascinating discovery to me:
These are the bins where we put trash and recycling.
I never really thought about it, but those are super tiny containers for such a huge building. Then, from above, an answer was delivered:
Not sure how well you can see, but basically, the truck lifts up the little can, and it's connected to a GIANT can underneath that collects debris underground and gets emptied into the truck. NEATO!
Easily amused, okay bye.
No comments:
Post a Comment