I realized that I have done so many neat things since I have been here that there is just no way I will remember everything... but there are certain priceless moments which will stick with me long after I have left Amsterdam. I'd like to describe a few experiences I've had here recently.
(NOTE: If you read my last blog already I just added pictures of the windmills etc tonight so go back and check them out!)
Muiden
A few weeks ago I went to Muiden with other IES students to see Muiderslot- a very old castle! It was so neat! Castles just aren't so common in the United States. The castle wasn't very big- like the country itself- but it has lots of history. Unfortunately our tour guide did not speak very good English so I cannot recount much of the history to you, but long ago each city/province was separated with local ruler who owned the land and many had castles and fortifications as protective forces against attack. We could not take pictures inside the castle so my only pictures are of the outside. I enjoyed seeing something entirely different, and sharing the day with other IES students that I don't get to see too often. After visiting the castle we explored the town for a bit which was incredibly cute. We found a place to get ice cream and sat outside in the sun, chatting.
Volendam and Marken
Last saturday I went on a 42 mile bike ride! Don't be too amazed... the Netherlands is incredibly flat so it really wasn't difficult, just long! On another IES excursion our guide Annabel took us on a ride to a town called Volendam. The bike ride was pleasant. We rode along the Dutch countryside which is beautiful and so peaceful. It's very green with lots of cows (how do you think all that cheese is made!), tons of lambs, and cute homes and windmills. The ride was nice because it was a breezy day, but the sun was out and it was enjoyable to talk to other students while biking through the country! We made a stop at a place where cheese, clogs, and souvenirs are made and had a wine and cheese sampling. We also stopped at a windmill along the way which was very cool- but looks like all the other Dutch windmills I've seen by now. They are actually quite interesting- Dutch windmills are all shaped the same way and they are made of a fuzzy-looking material which makes them look like a hut made by a native tribesman. Maybe you can tell in the picture below? Anyways, our ride to Volendam was mostly a success- with only one flat tire, 3 missed turns, and one incident where several students went the wrong way! This town was very neat and very Dutch- but it was also very touristy. After a long bike ride we were starving so we ate lunch in this town and wandered around. Eventually, we got on a ferry with our bikes which took us to another touristy Dutch town called Marken. It was also very cute. Both towns are located right on the water with access to boats. This has been an important part of Holland's history and Dutch life. The Dutch are expert fishers and are adept at getting around by boat for necessity or recreation. In Marken, we wandered again- taking in the town. The part of this that I abolutely hated was biking to the beach where the lighthouse was because we rode on the bike path on the dike which was FULL of bugs. There were bugs hitting me on the face and all over and I was freaking out! It was terrible. Otherwise, the trip was enjoyable.
I began to get cold though, so I left with Kate and Rachel a bit earlier than the rest of the group, eager to begin the bike back which I knew would make me warmer. It was nice to ride back with just two others because we could go at a faster pace, stop as we wanted to take pictures, and could talk easier. This was a moment I will remember and cherish. The trip back from Marken to Amsterdam was beautiful. For most of it we rode along another dike which towered over the street on one side and the water on the other. It was magnificent riding my bike with just two good friends through the Dutch countryside to my home in Amsterdam! The moment I will remember most though, is looking in front of me as the sun was beginning to set. I was at the front of the line so I felt like I was alone for a moment... it was just me riding towards the Amsterdam skyline while the sun glistened on the water so brightly it was almost blinding! It was beautiful and I felt a wave of peace. And I will also remember what happned right after this moment. A huge bug flew into my eye!!! I had to pull over so Kate could get it out of my contact and get me to calm down. She made me put on my sunglasses even though it was no longer too sunny as a shield against further bug attacks. 42 miles later I arrived back at Funenpark, ready to shower and collapse into my bed.
Concert Gebouw
Tonight I went to see a symphony orchestra at the concert hall Concert Gebouw. This venue was nice and the music was amazing! As a former viola player, I have a great appreciation for this type of music and the orchestra did not disappoint. First, IES actually treated us to a dinner at an Indonesian restaurant. I have been wanting to try Indonesian food while in Amsterdam so this was perfect. The food was wonderful and it was served buffet style to each table. There were at least 17 different options of foods so basically we each just tasted some of everything. We left 2 1/2 hours later completely stuffed! IES even had wine served with our meal. Afterward, we walked to the concert hall which was close to musemplein. We were excited to find that we had front row seats, until we entered the building and realized they were terrible seats because the stage was really really high and we were way too close. I couldn't see very much at all, but the sound was great. First, Lang Lang (a well-known pianist) played with the orchestra, and after the intermission they played another piece which I actually liked even better. At intermission (at apparently all types of art and music shows in the Netherlands)everyone gets a free drink to create a gezellig atmosphere.
An especially funny scene occured... after each movement there would be a few moments of silence before the next began and each time suddenly an eruption of coughs would break out (but no applause because between movements of piece the audience doesn't clap- they should wait until the end of the entire set). I am not sure why all of the coughing was happening... I guess the audience was mostly made up of old folks, but my friend Joel looked at me and Rachel and exclaimed "So- we don't clap, we cough if we think it was good?" And he was serious. He thought the audience was coughin on purpose. So after this, each time there was a pause he would fake-cough with the elderly. It was quite funny... maybe you had to be there. Regardless, I enjoyed the show. This was definitely something I would not have made the effort to do alone, but since IES offered it I decided to go and I am glad that I did.
IN CONCLUSION... I'd just like to say that this has been one of the most significnat experiences of my life- just being in the Netherlands. I have been given a lot to think about. Seeing the world from a different perspective is challenging and eye-opening. I'd like to elaborate on my thoughts about this... in my next blog! Check in later.
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