My new Home!

Hey Everyone!!!

The Move-
I made it!! After about 2 flights, 30 hours of not sleeping, dragging approximately 170 pounds of luggage on my person, and navigating the Dutch public transport system, here I was! Upon arriving at my school at around noon on Thursday I got my keys to my new apartment and was settled in by that evening. My apartment is spacious with big windows, a tiny bed, lots of storage and a bathroom/shower combo (the shower is just part of the bathroom floor- it's not separated off like we have in the US). After putting everything away I couldn't believe the seemingly small amount of stuff I brought felt so heavy. In anycase sleep never felt so good haha.

The Weekend-
My good friend Simon came down from the UK and we had a blast! Friday we went spent the day in Amsterdam- Van Gogh museum, sandwiches from an amazing little cafe, a few lattes, a few Heinekens, lots of canals, lots of bikes, lots of history. Saturday we went to Schiveningen, Holland’s most famous beach. I was not expecting to find a gem like this 10 minutes from my house! Notice the pics in my slideshow- there were people as far as I could see with the backdrop of gorgeous centuries old palatial buildings, miles of little beach side restaurant/lounges with live DJs mixing and drinks and food flowing. It is amazing!! Later that day we went to a live festival playing a variety of rock music. It was in the Hague’s version of “central park” with thousands of people attending, sooo cool!

The Dutch-
As we were exploring the cities I was trying to put my finger on the question, "What exactly is "Dutch"? Quite of few European cities I've been to emanate with distinct flavours. Places like Dublin, Paris, Barcelona, Roma, Istanbul, Zurich... each left me with an uniquely individual impression. Each develops a snapshot in my mind, the unique smearing of architecture, smells, sounds, tastes, people... the energy that emits, the feelings that engulf you as you walk along the streets and consider what’s around you. With Amsterdam, I couldn’t as easily define it. Perhaps it’s because Holland itself is such a melding of cultures that its identity is naturally a mix of cultures and styles. Perhaps because I haven’t grown up with a “Dutch stereotype”. Whatever the case, Holland definitely feels very European, nice people, delicious food, great fashion, comprehensive public transport, gorgeous old buildings, men without deodorant... Things I find distintly dutch though? See below:

Ruth’s top 9 distinctly dutch vibes…
1. Canals, everywhere! People use them as transportation, boats in the summer, ice skating in the winter.
2. The language- very strange, incomprehensible mix of German, French, English and maybe some Scandinavian
3. “Coffeeshops” The legalization of Ganja
4. Compact, houses, streets, cars, stores… they can pack it in w/o feeling cramped though
5. Bikes bikes bikes, from businessmen in suits to ladies in fancy dresses… it is the people’s transportation
6. Flatness- no hills, whatsoever… makes #5 much more enjoyable!
7. Classic European architecture, but the Dutch-touch would be large windows, small bricks, some buildings lean in towards the street and have a hook on the top story to shimmy furniture up through the windows :)
8. Warm people, not obnoxiously extroverted but kind and straightforward- me gusta!
9. Tall people- who look like me! I finally fit in!

Feelings Since being here-
I think because I've travelled so much and have been in so many transitions the last couple years, the fact I've just moved doesn’t feel that strange. The fact that I just packed up my life and alone trekked it half way around the world doesn’t really phase me! Kinda weird, I know lol… After talking to my bro though, I think I’ve figured it out. More often than not my travels take me to developing countries- Latin America, China, Indonesia… beyond the cultural differences, the standard of living is so much different. This standard of living is what the US is derived from, I’m just going home! I just feel like I'm at a new apartment in another city.

My view of the world and what country/region is "home" has become kind of a state of flux. Of course my home home will always be Washington and San Diego as a second, but I've become used to traipsing around and being flexible enough to embrace my surroundings in each stage of life. I guess the major difference between this and my former adventures is that I’ll be here for 1.5 years. It works though! I’m excited and very happy to be here, it feels good, it feels right! I do miss the people and life back home but I’m excited to be on my own, challenging myself and hopefully developing some critical skills that will help me in the future. I’ll keep you all updated! Happy September!

Lots o’ love,
Ruth :)