If had to name one thing I’m exceptionally good at, it would
be dressing inappropriately for the weather. It’s been raining the entire time
and it gets pretty chilly. The warmest it’s been is 60 degrees. It would have
been too easy for me to look up the weather before I departed, and I’m left
shuffling through sundresses, skirts, and shorts as I attempt to dress myself
in the morning. I forgot an umbrella, a rain jacket, and a sweatshirt, so I’ve
been stealing my roommates extra raincoat on occasion or wearing a baseball
hat. The fact that I thought to pack a baseball hat before I stuffed in a
raincoat boggles my own damn mind.
Today, we took the tram for the first time. It was very
clean and new and convenient, but the maps and announcements were all in Dutch.
Had we not been in a group I’m not sure I would have been able to figure it
out. We then took a boat to a fortress that protected a castle and was
destroyed in WWII. We toured the fort (in the freezing rain) and ate lunch in
the restaurant on the island. The traditional foods here must consist of bread,
meat, and cheese, for that is what we are constantly served. Not that I’m
complaining. My body may take a hit, but it’s all delicious. The boys in our
group were asking one of our orientation leaders to teach them Dutch pick up
lines and curse words. She told us that in order to curse someone in Dutch, you
shout out diseases. So instead of saying “fuck you” you would just say “small
pox” or “cholera”. However, it’s really offensive
to shout “AIDS” or “cancer” at someone. Take note if you ever travel in the
Netherlands. We have another free dinner in the hostel tonight, which is an
awesome way to save money. However, I’m really excited to start trying some
restaurants. Other foods that are supposedly traditional are French fries with
mayo, apple pie, waffles, pancakes, and licorice. Class starts tomorrow and
we’re also going to a medical science museum. I’m excited to get a feel for how
intense the program will be. As the Dutch would say, Doei! (goodbye)
No comments:
Post a Comment