FIETS!

Last night was my first introduction to Dutch culture of people my own age. My cousin, Carlijn (pronounced Car - line) was able to (after my power nap) take me with her and some of her friends to the park up the street. It was very strange to see people hanging out in the park with Alcohol and the reefer menace. But it was present and very eye opening. After that I was able to go to a party with her and some of her friends. Here in Holland the easiest way to travel is via bike or in dutch, fiets (pronounced - feets) These bikes also have little platforms. People use these to sit on to ride as a passenger. I did not know this and looked like a fool riding on the back of the bike holding on for dear life while the girls in Utrecht would text (SMS in Europe) and effortlessly  look at their belongings in their bag on the back of the bike. Once at the party I was instantly attacked by Carlijn's friends inquiring about for whom I voted in last election and what a juicer was...interesting stuff - things I did not anticipate being asked. Once I reached home around 10:30pm I watched a little T.V. with Gail before crashing into my bed. 

This morning I woke up around 9am because Gail and I had to attend her mondhyygienisten (dental hygienist) for a teeth cleaning. This place was phenomenal. In a country where the health care is regulated by the government (monarchy - YAY Queen Beatrix) it is wonderfully nice. Again, I think Hillary Clinton had something. Anyway, the toilet inside the bathroom was totally unique. It had a plastic covering over the seat itself that would keep it clean between each use. You pressed a button on the side and the plastic, like a conveyer belt, changed itself. It was awesome. Following that, we attend the weekly Wednesday festival in the center of town near the Dom tower were you could find anything. The goal - to find Mijn Mansenzak (My man bag). Gail was very incessant that I obtain one of these because it is the only way to carry things without them being stolen (though The Netherlands have the lowest crime rate in the world). We searched high and low and finally found one that would not be considered to effeminate in the States so I would be able to use it at home. So now equipped with my bag, dutch cell phone, and some little basic knowledge of the dutch language (I was quizzed at Carlijn's party( 1,2,3's, Greetings,and colors!)) I am prepared to learn more and not get my stuff stolen. Gail and I then attended several supermarkt (supermarket) to find some things for a barbeque that I am going with Carlijn to. I bought a barbeque meat kit that has 4 kabobs, 4 hamburgers, 4 wurst, and 4 (esentially thick slices of bacon) for only 5.39 Euro. Another nice thing is that there is no tax here. The price you see is the price you pay - wonderful! Along with some Karakter Bier (beer with character) for young twenties-something fun I headed home.  As I sit writing this both Gail and I are frantically trying find a way to adapt the power cord of my Mac to work here - the solution turn out to be much easier than expected....just plug it in. 

Carlijn's friends seem to enjoy meeting me and they have invited me to several things over the next week including a trip with them to Amsterdam on saturday. Lets see what happens!