I haven't been able to get online really to journal, so instead of trying to think of everything I've done this last week I thought I would just type up some of my handwritten journal.
8-23 London, England
Only 12 hours ago, I left Brandon. I miss him already
I never expected myself to study abroad and now I struggle with understanding how long I'll be gone.
As I went through security mom, dad, and Brandon waited and watched. I wanted to run back and hug them and call the whole trip off. I know it's silly but I think the one of the hardest goodbyes was to sunny, knowing that really would be the last time I saw my cat of 17 year. Even now I find myself looking at the flights back to Detroit enviously.
I think I am at a low moment right now as I write. I haven't slept much on the plane or here at the airport. On the plane in the beginning I was really excited about going and had butterflies in my stomach. Now I just want to be there and settled in my actual room.
I don't know what to expect from the family and I am not looking forward to staying there, still I am trying to keep an open mind about all experiences.
8-23 Train ride from Amsterdam to Groningen, Netherlands
Chivalry does not grow on trees around here. After I got welt on my head, a bruise with blood running over it on my right fore arm and a twisted ankle, I was finally able to get my luggage on the train. Stephen and Bedr (Stephen's mentor) both went ahead of me and didn't look back. Another man kept pushing me, acting impatient, and then stood there watching without lifting a finger all the while trapping my bag under his. I miss Brandon, I know he would never just watch someone, anyone, struggle like this and not help them out.
I feel like today may never end.
8-24 Groningen, Netherlands
This morning Doeko (pronounced Duke-o) and I rode our bikes into the city center. He showed my Vismarkt (fish market) and the general direction of Grote Markt (great market), where I was to meet my mentor. Then he took me to the faculty of arts building and gave me directions to the Academia building, where he said the international office was located (which it isn't). And he left me and went to work.
Victory #1: I made it back to the Bosscher's on my own (a 20 min bike ride through a maze of roads). I bought a map from the VVV (tourist center) which I found on my own and have been able to help others out now.
Victory #2: I was able to get the water the right temperature in the shower! Not a small feat because they have an environmental water heater and there is a precise way to get it the right temperature without scalding or freezing.
We went to a festival in the park called Noorderzon and saw a concert by Urban Gypsy. The concert started out with some Romanians singing traditionally, one man clanked spoons together, another used spoons to beat a drum. It felt nice knowing that no one else understood their language and so I knew they were experiencing the music the same way I was.
Then others came out and took the music from before and turned it into techno! awful. we left after 2 songs.
Sights seen at the Festival:
Free standing, non-enclosed urinals.
A U-haul-sized box with 3 holes on the side where you lay down and stick your head in to "see what you see" said Roberta (Bosscher)
Not exactly a sight but a smell: Marijuana.
While walking around Doeko was always 12 feet a head (if not more) of Roberta. She said he is always like that and never looks back to see if she is following. She asked me if my father was like that. For Roberta's account, she never sped up to Doeko but took her time and arrived to him when she wished. He had to wait eventually.
On a side note: I really need to buy a razor.
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