The sunshine is caressing my legs and making it impossible for me to see the computer screen.
I am lying on the floor in a nice room in the third floor in a street in Schiebroek, in the outskirts of Rotterdam.
Window view to green tree tops, birds singing in the park outside, hens wandering around on the small bridges that connect the backyards to this common garden the houses share. Dog dozing in it's basket downstairs and children laughing outside.
Once again, my life is at an acceptable level of goodness.
I have spent a huge amount of time this week on the back seat of the family's tandem bike. I am therefore now filled with a load of impressions of the Dutch life and culture, and a bit sore butt.
Dutch breakfast. Holland has world record in bread toppings. That's because they simply put every possible kind of candy on it.
On Wednesday Timo took me to Rotterdam. It is a very modern city, seeing that it was completely destroyed by the nazis' bombs during WWII. There is almost nothing left of what was before, but surprisingly, the culture and history is very alive and visible in the city. It hasn't forgotten its horrible destiny, and people still speak bitterly about it.
Famous cubic houses. Not very practical, I assume, but probably VERY expensive
Artsy cubes
Modern way of thinking
We went to the famous Hotel New York for a cake. This is the place where all the emigrants to America were gathered before departure. The very thought gives me goosebumps. Wonder how many tears have been shed and dreams been born in that building.
Dutch, modern table decoration
Hotel New York
Space invader
A statue of Rotterdam with it's heart outbombed by the nazis.
Outdoor shopping centre.
Street art
Me on a statue in front of Beurs World Trace Center
Later the same day, Timo had lessons, so we went to his University in Delft 14 km away, which is on the top list in the world.
He studies aerospace engineering. I have smart friends! It is supposed to be the hardest study in the country.
The campus is ENORMOUS. I was terrified. It stretches out a kilometer or more.
Delft University
I attended one lecture about shear flow through cells of a construction or something like that. I felt terribly stupid and sleepy, and went on a walk to the center of Delft while Timo had a test.
Holland
Delft is very pretty and tranquil, but I almost didn't take pictures there. I spent an hour trying to find the right way back to the university instead, clever me.
I think I should buy a handheld GPS.
Square in Delft
Thursday the 17th was a big day.
Timo turned 21!
And it was Saint Patrick's day.
Reasons to celebrate.
After spending my evening wrapping 40 mini snickers, we got up at seven to sing for Timo and give him presents and cake.
I love those traditions.
Cake for breakfast
With my long present
We went to Rotterdam again, this time to be cultural and see the art museum Boijmans van Beuningen where there are works of Rembrandt and Dalí, and a room with the floor covered in peanut butter.
I don't know what to think about this kind of modern art.
On one side I felt a sudden urge to eat the whole artwork, on the other hand I don't really think food on the floor is art. I put food on the floor daily, and I don't earn money on it.
Timo had to go to Delft to get wiser, and I stayed in Rotterdam to do some shopping. I spent some hours finding a real birthday present for Timo (green t-shirt and green underwear – he loves green), and I got a new pair of pants and a t-shirt and a cute green dress from H&M, to honour Timo and St Patty later in the evening.
Done shopping, had some salad, and then go home.
Oh, which way was that?
GPS wanted.
I had a vague idea of where I was supposed to bike, and tried it. When I found myself in a place I had never seen before, I turned back to my starting point.
I had forgotten my phone. Genius.
I repeated this a few times, before I gave up and went to the train station.
No bikes allowed in the trams, but a very friendly man gave me the directions.
Follow the big street northwards and you'll get there, he said.
I followed the big street northwards.
And suddenly I was in a villa area which definitely wasn't Schiebroek.
I asked a very friendly couple.
I was in Kralingen on the other side of the town. I had to go to this big road and the take the third roundabout to the right.
I did.
And asked some other people.
After around two hours on the bike, starting to get VERY stressed because I knew we were going out eating in Delft, I found the way back.
We picked up Timo's best friend Ruud, who I like a lot, and went to meet the birthday child in Delft.
Do I have to tell you how delicious it was?
Crème brûlée
After my lovely duck breast with vanilla and apple sauce, we went home for another piece of cake (which I shouldn't have eaten), before we (Timo, Ruud and Aren and me) went out in Rotterdam.
Because it was St Patty's, we headed for an Irish pub. Loads of people, joyful music, but no green beer, as Timo had promised us they would have...
Me taking photos of us. With only me in it.
Oops
Tadaa, happy people with cool beer bottles
It turned out to be a tremendous night. We went to a club down the street, and I found out that Aren and me were awesome at partying together. After one hour, we were rocking the whole place, wearing my awesome sunglasses, dancing on the table, and talking to a lot of people who wanted our sunglasses or tried to hit on me.
Amazing. Haha.
I had a terrible lot of fun, and was all sad when the reasonable part of the group wanted to go home at 2-3 o'clock.
But first I had to try a kapsalon (haird salon), which is Rotterdam's speciality: french fries and salad and kebab all mixed together.
I liked it.
Perfect night food
The next morning I woke up at 12.26 with beer in my hair and drinks on my clothes and my hair in a mess.
Timo had to study again, so I spent the day relaxing in the rainy weather, and went to the market to have a traditional stroopwafel with Timo's mum.
Later in the evening it was family dinner and cake.
Celebration no. 2
Yesterday we had a great breakfast, and went to Rotterdam on the awesome tandem.
Euromast on the program: 186 meters tall.
People going down on the outside in a rope.
Park
View
Skyscrapers
Highway
The second biggest harbour in the world, continuing ten km out to the sea.
Reflection portrait
The Swan bridge
Because of the lovely spring weather, we took a round on the bike before we went to have a wonderful, famous piece of apple pie at Dudok.
Nice boat!
In a biking tunnel under the big canal. Steepest escalator in the world, they say
Enjoying the sun, the tandem, life. These sunglasses are famous in Beurs club
Rocking the streets of Rotterdam
Walk of Fame in Rotterdam.
Best apple cake I ever tried I think.
Goodlife. Timo, tandem and Ben & Jerry's icecream on a dike.
That was nice. Lots of food. And marshmallows.
We had a lot of fun, and watched "Despicable me" – WONDERFUL. Should be seen.
A mix of churchbells and roosters woke me up around ten. I finished "1984" by George Orwell. Scary book.
Nice Sunday breakfast, and then I am planning to do nothing for the rest of the day, like the dog does:
That's how they chillax in Holland, yo
Maybe I should go running. But I fell too sleepy.
I have had a lot of exercise these days. Before breakfast yesterday I ran 10 km with Timo's dad, and I have spent hours on the bike this week. I hope I can keep it up in Amsterdam, but I guess not.
And by the way, my plans have changed slightly.
I was supposed to go to Den Haag today and spend two nights there, but this wonderful family wanted me to stay here instead, so I'll sleep here until Tuesday, and then go on a one day trip to Den Haag tomorrow with Timo instead.
Weee:)
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