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January 31, 2002
I rode to the Amsterdamse Bos for my run. Starting to feel like a runner again, it felt good. I really wish I knew how far I was running, I've been going by times instead of miles. Pretty soon I am going to have to start thinking kilometers instead of miles.
I am really enjoying exploring the park. I ran on muddy trails over quaint bridges, along canals and ponds, through cathedral-like rows of trees and sunny green fields. Unfortunately a large part of the part of the park is under renovations, but fortunately the park is large enough that one can avoid the huge piles of dirt and bulldozers.
The park is one of the many things that I like about Amsterdam. I know I have complained a lot, but there are plenty of things I like here. For one thing, no matter what my husband says about the food here, not all of its bad. The bread here is amazing, even the bread at the supermarket is baked fresh every day. I don't think you can even buy a loaf of American-style preservative-laden bread. The beer is cheap and very good. So is the cheese. And the chocolate. What else do you need to eat?
More things I like: The city is small, and is well served by public transportation (if you don't want to ride your bike). For example, tonight, I can go hear a band play and leave my house maybe half an hour before the show starts and catch a tram. Or, I can walk, and it probably would take the same amount of time.
Treat of the day: sucking on a valentine's candy heart while in the shower. Something about having something sweet on your tongue while warm water splashes over your head is just heavenly!
Posted by shannon at 07:00 PM | Permalink
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January 30, 2002
I bought tickets for a show tomorrow night and stocked up on my favorite shampoo. I thought I could live without it, but I think they must put some kind of topical heroin in it, because I am truly addicted to it. And its horribly expensive too. I did manage to save some money, however, because I was talked OUT of buying some other brand's conditioner by the man who worked in the salon. It was so bizarre. I went to that salon because it is the only place in town that carries that brand. But they didn’t carry the entire line (they didn’t have the one I wanted), so I asked for a recommendation. When I would pick one out, the man say: "No! You don’t want that, it will make your hair very soft and silky." I was confused. "This is a bad thing?" I kept saying. Maybe something was lost in the translation. The whole experience was rather amusing.
I took a yoga class tonight. Back in SF I took classes at my gym, but here I decided to go to a yoga center, mainly because their web site was all in English. Also because I don't belong to a gym yet. I wasn’t the only person in the class who didn’t speak Dutch (there was at least 5 out of 20 or so) and the class was taught half in English, half in Dutch. It was difficult at times, I had to watch what everyone else was doing. But I definitely got a good workout, I hope I'm not too sore tomorrow.
Posted by shannon at 10:49 PM | Permalink
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January 29, 2002
I have noticed here that supermarket cashiers work while sitting down. This seems totally sensible, yet back in the US, where supermarket workers enjoy one of the strongest labor unions in the nation, they have to stand at their stations for their entire shift. While I don't think either standing or sitting for 8 hours at a time is very healthy, I'd prefer to sit down, seems more civilized.
I have become awfully quiet since I've moved here. And if you know me at all you will know that I can't get much quieter. As long as I keep my mouth shut, no one knows I'm an outsider (while maybe they know, but at least I feel to fit in with the environment). And then someone will do something disagreeable, like stop right in your path. Normally I would just tell them (nicely) to move, "excuse me," or maybe something not so nice. Now I just let people get in my way, I silently go around. I can be rude if I can't speak the language. Its almost like being invisible.
I don't know if I'm a tourist or not. I mean, I do live here, but its only temporary. And I don't work here. Although I do feel like I'm learning a lot, so maybe I can tell people I'm a student. I think I may go see Songs: Ohia this week. It will be nice to see some indie-rock types in a city full of dread heads and disco-wear shops.
Posted by shannon at 10:44 PM | Permalink
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I tried to make that last entry thick with hyperlinks, but I gave up. I need to get me some sleep!
enjoy.
Posted by shannon at 01:29 AM | Permalink
Its my birthday too, ooh. Did nothing special today, except go out for a lovely meal at the Black Sheep restaurant ('t Swarte Schaep) where I consumed a sinful deep fried foie gras appetizer, a delightful piece of lamb cooked to perfection (a nice thick cut too, not the stupid rack of lamb bullshit they always serve in American restaurants) and some homemade ice cream for dessert.
I decided to try and take some photos today. Some came out good, some didn't. Please click them if you want to see a larger version.
My Dutch bike. 70 Euros! (30 for the lock). It has nifty lights in front and back, and even a bell (for ringing when tourists think the bike path = a sidewalk).
Coffee for the day at Brandmeester's. I love the Dutch word for tea, "thee". The street sign for the shop says "Koffie en Thee". This place is fairly busy with tourists visiting the Van Gough Museum, but this Monday afternoon I practically had the place to myself.
Books stacked to the ceiling in a shop window in my neighborhood. I think it's a typesetting place or a book bindery.
I also stopped by a café in the Jordaan district because my fingers were starting to smart from the wind. I ordered a white wijn, and the woman asked if I wanted one from Spain or one from South Africa. For a moment I couldn't help but imagine those two places, both warm and sunny an inviting, having just come in from a brutally blustery day. I ordered the South African, because it sounded more exotic and possibly cheaper. It was pretty good. It came in a big swoozy glass too. I love big roomy wine glasses.
I took this photo while sitting in the café. I was trying to get some interesting shots of weird folks on bikes. Of course none came by while I had my camera out. I did see a woman riding a bike with two cute puppies in a crate on the handlebars, but the problem with taking photos of people on bikes is THEY MOVE SO FAST! But I haven't given up yet.
Posted by shannon at 01:27 AM | Permalink
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January 27, 2002
The city shuts down on Sunday. No shops are open, not even the grocery store. Even the sleazy Albert Cuypmarkt, an outdoor market in our neighborhood that runs for blocks, is also closed. Although it’s a bit inconvenient, its rather nice, like a holiday, once a week. And since we can’t be online during business hours during the week, its nice to just sit home and play on the web. Although I really miss having fast internet access 24-7. I won’t have it again for quite a while.
I ran today again, but I think I hurt my foot, running on the pavement. Another thing I miss, the beach and trails to run on. But I am probably just doing too much too soon, its been about 6 weeks since I did any serious exercise. The body adjusts quickly, even to sloth. The scenery here is nice though, I ran along the banks of the Amstel, saw farms and roosters, and people rowing through the calm waters.
I did see a few very sporty bicyclists out today. Whipping down the paths hunched over in the professional pose. Guess that’s what the shop keepers do when they’re not at work.
I had quite a ‘normal’ weekend morning by listening to radio shows I would normally listen to at home (Car Talk, Le Show, Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me!). Its nice to know that NPR is just a click away, and they even stream at slow speeds for people on dialups. I felt more at home having familiar voices in my kitchen.
Posted by shannon at 07:10 PM | Permalink
I like riding my bike. Even in a short skirt, stockings and high boots. I would never think of doing that at home, but here, it doesn’t seem strange. I’ve seen all sorts of people dressed all sorts of ways on bikes, just as you would expect to see people dressed walking down a busy street.
What I really enjoy about bike riding here is that it is not all sporty and athletic. You don’t have to wear a helmet (although it may be a good idea) and have all the right gear. The fenders make sure you stay mudless and comfortable. (you also can get a windshield(!) for even more comfy driving). Its just a way of getting from one place to another, its not a sport. I mean, it CAN be a sport, and the Europeans are very serious about their cycling. But it doesn’t have to be only for the fit elite, or crazy bike messengers, its for everyone. I think that is why so many Americans are so “unfit”, because being fit means fitting into the jock category. It means seriously changing your lifestyle. Here, its just a part of life.
Posted by shannon at 06:34 PM | Permalink
Things purchased today: (all carried on my bike)
1 plastic garbage can for under the sink
2 clocks (one for the bedroom, one for the mantle)
1 light bulb (our apt apartment is so DIM)
1 key-thingie for hooking my bike-lock key to my lanyard easily
1 pair of striped stockings
1 pair Nike warm-up pants (with zippers on the bottoms so I can put them on while wearing sneakers)
12 chocolate bon bons from Puccini
250 milligrams of candy hearts
2 bottles Chimay ale
cornflakes, canned pineapple, butter, cheese, mustard, mushrooms, peppers, sunflower & pumpkin seed mix
Things stolen today:
1 half loaf sliced brown bread
Things bought and consumed:
Croissant
Donut sugared
Coffee with Bailey’s
French Onion Soup
(my diet is not very good at the moment)
Posted by shannon at 12:43 AM | Permalink
