Napped
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I napped! How I needed it! I was almost walking out in front of the omnipresent bikes and trams. My room has the bare essentials: twin bed, sink (toilet shower down the hall), a very small closet, 4 hangers and a nice view out the small double window. Spartan, truly... but I don't need a TV or toilet in my room, for I am here to see the sights and experience a little bit of Amsterdam.
My nap was for about 2 hours. I slept so soundly and felt so much better after it and shower/change of clothes. Since then, I have been walking around this area of the city.
I ate at Mc Donald's (just what I don't need but it is convenient and familar). I did have a hard time communicating with the server which appears to be a rarity here. She didn't know what i was saying and I know nothing about Dutch. Well, I got my food, and it was the same thing I ordered and tasted good also. It must be very hard for, say, Spanish or Germany-speaking to communicate, not only herre in Amsterdam but throughoout Europe where only English and the country's first language are spoken.
Futher, I watched an impromtu "break dancing" seesion. Four early-20's men were shouting out..."old-school"... they said in a heavy Dutch accent. It was interesting to watch, and they are quite adept at the art... I don't think I have ever seen it done in such I fine-tuned manner...
I am noting the American influence here too. It appears everywhere --clothes, entertainment, music, commercialization, language, etc. One sees american flags, american food spots, american clothes (though I saw someone with "Lee" jeans on which I haven't seen in many a year), etc. As much as Europeans say and desire to exhibit their individual cultures and roots, they seem to follow America's lead in the above categories. I believe they are reluctantly agreeing to follow the US (politically) further on democratization, fighting terrorist, and expnading opportunities. Socially, they certainly have their own ways, however. Drug legalization, welfare states, transportation systems, environmentlly-friendly constructions, fostering continental cooperation and globalization, and the general social fabric is seemly robust. How one ironically learns so much more about one's home when one travels!
I cannot believe also how fit the Dutch are. Everyone bikes. No one is has an extra pound; I have been looking and everyone (not including me, of course) is so skinny. Further, everyone is so tall. I seem to appear shorter and wider over here. It is like the old saying in reverse--"If you want to feel skinny, hangout with fat people."
I hate feeling like a tourist. I know the locals know the tourist. Heck, I can spot them ... People with baseball hats. People who are shorter and wider. People with their noses in maps. People crossing in front of trams, bikes cars. I would also categorize people with backpacks and camera (duh..) as tourists. Am I easy to pick out/ Yeah, I probably do/am all of those things except the hat thing because I purposely didn't bring one!
Shall I rent a bike? I am thinking about it. I would see alot more of Amsterdam, and I would definitely get a workout. I am reluctant, however. I worry that I would get hit by a tram or car, or hit someone walking or lose the bike or just plain wreck. No one here wears a helmet--no one and I have looked. I have seen absolutely no one wearing a helmet so if I wreck without a helmet, I probably won't return home. It brings me to wonder... how many accidents so people have here?
I napped! How I needed it! I was almost walking out in front of the omnipresent bikes and trams. My room has the bare essentials: twin bed, sink (toilet shower down the hall), a very small closet, 4 hangers and a nice view out the small double window. Spartan, truly... but I don't need a TV or toilet in my room, for I am here to see the sights and experience a little bit of Amsterdam.
My nap was for about 2 hours. I slept so soundly and felt so much better after it and shower/change of clothes. Since then, I have been walking around this area of the city.
I ate at Mc Donald's (just what I don't need but it is convenient and familar). I did have a hard time communicating with the server which appears to be a rarity here. She didn't know what i was saying and I know nothing about Dutch. Well, I got my food, and it was the same thing I ordered and tasted good also. It must be very hard for, say, Spanish or Germany-speaking to communicate, not only herre in Amsterdam but throughoout Europe where only English and the country's first language are spoken.
Futher, I watched an impromtu "break dancing" seesion. Four early-20's men were shouting out..."old-school"... they said in a heavy Dutch accent. It was interesting to watch, and they are quite adept at the art... I don't think I have ever seen it done in such I fine-tuned manner...
I am noting the American influence here too. It appears everywhere --clothes, entertainment, music, commercialization, language, etc. One sees american flags, american food spots, american clothes (though I saw someone with "Lee" jeans on which I haven't seen in many a year), etc. As much as Europeans say and desire to exhibit their individual cultures and roots, they seem to follow America's lead in the above categories. I believe they are reluctantly agreeing to follow the US (politically) further on democratization, fighting terrorist, and expnading opportunities. Socially, they certainly have their own ways, however. Drug legalization, welfare states, transportation systems, environmentlly-friendly constructions, fostering continental cooperation and globalization, and the general social fabric is seemly robust. How one ironically learns so much more about one's home when one travels!
I cannot believe also how fit the Dutch are. Everyone bikes. No one is has an extra pound; I have been looking and everyone (not including me, of course) is so skinny. Further, everyone is so tall. I seem to appear shorter and wider over here. It is like the old saying in reverse--"If you want to feel skinny, hangout with fat people."
I hate feeling like a tourist. I know the locals know the tourist. Heck, I can spot them ... People with baseball hats. People who are shorter and wider. People with their noses in maps. People crossing in front of trams, bikes cars. I would also categorize people with backpacks and camera (duh..) as tourists. Am I easy to pick out/ Yeah, I probably do/am all of those things except the hat thing because I purposely didn't bring one!
Shall I rent a bike? I am thinking about it. I would see alot more of Amsterdam, and I would definitely get a workout. I am reluctant, however. I worry that I would get hit by a tram or car, or hit someone walking or lose the bike or just plain wreck. No one here wears a helmet--no one and I have looked. I have seen absolutely no one wearing a helmet so if I wreck without a helmet, I probably won't return home. It brings me to wonder... how many accidents so people have here?
posted by Unknown at 8:37 AM
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