Major Update: The First Four Days!

Phew! I am finally moved in and settled a bit into my daily routine here in Amsterdam. It has been a crazy four days and I am so excited to share my experience with you all.

Monday morning I landed at Schipol Airport and met other members of my CIEE program for the first time. Everyone I have met has been nice and down to earth. People are friendly and everyone seems to get along really well. From Schipol we ent to the StayOkay Hostel in Vondelpark (the Central Park of Amsterdam) where I meet the rest of my group and started orientation. The first two days of orientation were rather slow, a lot of being talked at and taking care of logistics. During this time, I took a 3.5 hour walking tour of the city (in the freezing cold), bought a bike, went on a canal cruise and more!

The hostel was nice and in a very cool location (but touristy). Everyone was really frustrated with living in the hostel because we could not unpack our suitcases and were fit in like sardines.

Yesterday afternoon, I officially moved in to my dorm. The dorm is large and clean, in a great location. My building (Plantage Muidergracht 125) is in a beautiful part of the city. I am about a block from the zoo, three blocks from the Botanical gardens and a couple blocks the other way to the Oosterpark (the second biggest park in Amsterdam). There is a clear reason why all the street names here start with "plantation". It takes me about ten minutes to bike to the center and it is quite a pretty ride.

I live on the fourth floor of building with a canal view and a window that opens up to my roof. I share the floor with two people and it is exceptionally nice. Each floor has a kitchen with a common room and a TV. It is very comfortable and homey.

The city itself is spectacular in its vibrancy. Everywhere you turn there is something original, different and always cool. Amstedam is a unique blend of old and new. Plus, the city seems less corporate/commercial than other major cities (like Chicago or Paris). There is a true sense of unique locality when you walk around Amsterdam. I mean that I see less chains and corporate outfits and more local shops.

This morning I began my orientation with the International Student Network (ISN). ISN is the group that organizes for all of the foreign students studying in Amsterdam. It was great to meet people who were not American.

Later this afternoon, I went out with some friends to the grocery store and then we cooked for ourselves for the first time. In true Dutch fashion we have chosen to solve the food problem communally. By all chipping in for food and cooking together, we can save money but still have fun with meals.

Its midnight here and I have to get up early tomorrow to become an official resident of The Netherlands. I will post again soon on the culture I have experienced and some of the fun things I have been able to do. Also, I will post pics tomorrow of my dorm and building.

As the Dutch say, Tot Ziens! (until later)

David