Going Dutch Blog

7/09/10

Location: Amsterdam

Today is the day for museum visits because we got special passes to see as many of them as we want. I chose to go with a few people to the Van Gogh Museum, the Diamond Museum, and the Amsterdam History Museum. I had fun going through the different museums. It was a good variety. Then I walked around for a while and then took the tram back to the hostel. After a while I walked around with Printence and Melissa in the city. We didn’t stay out for a long time because it was so hot out. I came back to the hostel and showered and then talked to Hannah and Nathan for a while. I feel like the trip is coming to an end and I will have to go back to my normal life soon.

7/10/10

Location: Amsterdam

Today I got up and ate breakfast and stayed in the cafeteria for a while. Then I took my final exam for marketing which took about 2 hours. This is Dr. V’s last day with us and he left to go to another part of Europe. I will miss him and his Lithuanian sense of humor. After the test I went with Hannah and Christina to the market. Hannah and I walked around together for a while and then went back. I went and walked around for a little while by myself and then met up with Alex and Melissa and we walked around the city too. When we got back we relaxed for while and ate dinner. After dinner I fell asleep in the lobby for about an hour. Then I showered and went to bed.

7/11/10

Location: Amsterdam

I got to sleep in this morning until 9:30. Then I ate breakfast and walked around Dam Square with Nathan. Today is the day of finals in the World Cup. Everyone in town is wearing orange. We stayed out for a couple of hours and then came back to the hostel, I relaxed for a little while and then worked on some homework in the city. I came back to the hostel and then some of us left to find a place to watch the World Cup. We stayed at the park for a few hours before the game started because they had a big screen t.v. to watch the game on. We didn’t stay the whole time because people kept spilling beer on us. T felt like I was at Bonaroo. Eventually we left to find another place to watch the rest of the game. We went and ate some pizza and watched the game. It went into overtime but Spain won. The streets weren’t as crazy as I thought they would. Some of us walked around after the game and then went back to the hostel and went to bed.

7/12/10

Location: Nashville

I got up this morning and ate breakfast. I already had all my stuff packed and I brought it downstairs. We eventually left and made it to the bus station to get to the airport. We got through check in and security and then Hannah and I ran to get tulip bulbs before we got on the plane. The plane ride was more than 8 hours long and I watched 4 movies while I was on it. I stayed awake the whole time and they fed us pretty well. When we got off the plane we went through immigration, customs, and security. We finally made it to our gate for our flight to Nashville. The flight wasn’t very long and we finally got home. It was good to see my family again. It’s been a great trip and I had a lot of fun but I’m also glad to be home.

7/06/10

Location: Amsterdam

Today I had to wake up at 6am and get on a bus to go to a flower auction for a field trip. I was really tired all morning until I got some caffeine. The flower auction was interesting but I didn’t really enjoy it after the first 15 minutes of the tour. It was still a good experience though. Then we traveled back to Amsterdam and I walked around the city by myself for a while. I eventually went back to the hostel and the other girls were out of class. I left with Lacey to walk around Central Station in the souvenir shops. I had a lot of fun and some crazy things happened while I was there. I went into one shop and purchased a large amount of particular souvenir and the man at the shop wrapped everything in bubble wrap for me and put it in a box. He wasn’t able to find a bag that was big enough to carry the box so he gave me 2 free souvenir bags that were really nice to make up for it. He was really nice. After that we went to a bar to watch the game between the Netherlands and Uruguay. The Netherlands won and everything in the town was crazy. There were parties in the streets and constant car horns and whistles making a lot of noise. I walked around with Printence, Marcus, and Melissa until midnight then went back to the hostel and went to bed.

7/07/10

Location: Amsterdam

Today I got up and walked around the city looking in some book stores. Then I had class for 2 hours. After that, our group left and took a tour of the U.S. Embassy in Amsterdam. It was interesting to learn about everything that they do and to tour the building that they work in. Then I went to a bookstore to pick up a book for my mom. Eventually I went back to the hostel to eat dinner. Our group left to go on a tour of the Anne Frank House right after dinner. I liked going through the house but it was a sad tour. Afterwards I walked back to the hostel with a few people. Spain won the game vs. Germany tonight. The finals are on the 11^th. When we got back to the hostel I packed some of my souvenirs in boxes and then worked on my computer. Then I went to bed.

7/08/10

Location: Amsterdam

Today is a free day for me. Classes are over now and I wanted to do all of my souvenir shopping today. I ate breakfast and then took the tram to Central Station. I walked in every souvenir shop along a few different streets. It took me about 4 hours to find everything that I wanted to get. Then I ran into Hannah, Nathan, Lacey, and Christina and we went to eat lunch together and walk around the city. I got a lot of stuff today for myself and other people. Then we walked back to the hostel and ate dinner. After that our group went on a canal tour of the city which was pretty fun. I got a lot of good photos. Then I went back to the hostel to work on packing my souvenirs. Later some of us left to walk around the city at night. We got back around midnight and I went to bed.

7/04/10

Location: Amsterdam

Our plan this morning was to eat breakfast and then leave for Rotterdam to see the Tour De France with a group of people. But our teacher decided to leave without telling the girls; which is not just an assumption that I made about the situation but it was from the words of his daughters’ mouth. What an adult thing for Todd to do. So Hannah, Lacey, and I got on a train for Rotterdam without his help. We got there before the race started. The portion of the race that we saw was only about a minute but it was still fun to be there. We watched it from the balcony of the hostel we had stayed in two weeks ago. Then the 3 of us walked around the city for a while and then went back to Amsterdam. We walked from Central Station back to our hostel stopping at souvenir shops on the way, We stayed out for about 4 hours. We got back to the hostel and ate dinner. Then a group of us went out and walked around the Red Light District. It was interesting to see especially at night. We got back to the hostel around midnight and went to bed.

7/05/10

Location: Amsterdam

This morning I got up and ate breakfast. Then I showered and relaxed before my class started. We had 4 hours of class today. Then I went to a café to use the free internet access until it was time for dinner. The dinner at the hostel was pretty good. After dinner I visited the Hard Rock Café to look in the store. Then I went back to the hostel to see what the other girls were doing. We went to Mcdonald’s to do work on our computers. On the way there we saw a street performer who juggled fire while he was on a unicycle. It was really fun to watch. We spent about 2 hours at Mcdonald’s and then went back to the hostel. I went to bed soon after that. Today was kind of boring but I was able to get some work done.

Hey everybody I have been keeping my own blog on http://www.nathanhenris.com I have posted photos and blog entries.

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6/28/10

Location: Texel 

The breakfast is the same as the hostel in Rotterdam. I eat turkey and fruit in the morning. Then instead of class we went to a dairy farm to learn about the production of cheese on this island. The tour was pretty fun, I learned about the cows and sheep they had. Afterwards, we went to the market in town by our hostel. It’s really nice to be able to ride a bike into town. At the market I bought some mandarin oranges and then went to the grocery store to pick up a few other things. Then I went back and took a nap for a couple of hours. It was my first nap on this trip so far.

Later in the day I watched the soccer game at the bar in the hostel. The Netherlands won again. Then I went on a short bike ride with Nathan around the town. Afterwards, I just relaxed at the hostel until I went to bed. I enjoy being able to relax while I’m here.

6/29/10

Location: Texel

I woke up and ate breakfast and then did some of my marketing homework. I had class in the afternoon and then went back to my room. I tried to take a nap but I couldn’t fall asleep; probably because I slept part of the time in class. I stayed up and talked with some of the girls in my room for a while. Then we decided to go into town to get something for dinner. We stopped and ate pizza at a local restaurant in town and then went to the grocery store and got some ice cream. I came back and relaxed for the rest of the time. I watched part of the soccer game that was on and then went to bed.

6/30/10

Location: Texel

Today seemed very long. I ate breakfast as usual, ran to the grocery store, and then did my homework before class. We decided to do double classes today so that we would have no class on Thursday. So we were in class for 4 hours. Then I went to relax in my room. I was really bored because I didn’t want to ride my bike anywhere. When the other girls got back we rode into town for a while and then sat together and ate snacks. I spent some time on my computer and then went to bed. It was a pretty slow day, I can’t wait to get to Amsterdam.

7/01/10

Location: Texel

Today was a free day for me. I ate breakfast and then biked into town. I looked in a few shops and went to an antique store. It was funny because the store was only open for two and a half hours each day. Then I went back to the hostel and used my computer for a while until the other girls got out of class. I went with them to the candy store and the grocery store to get some dinner. We came back and I took a nap for a couple of hours. There’s not much to do but eat and sleep here. I relaxed the rest of the night because everyone who was in the graphic design class had to write a term paper. I went to bed pretty early.

7/02/10

Location: Texel 

Today I ate breakfast and went to the post office to mail some of my souvenirs home. Then I relaxed for a while until we left for our field trip. We took a tour of the Texel Brewery and sampled some of the beer. I didn’t really like the taste but I’m not really a beer drinker. Then we came back and watched the soccer game between the Netherlands and Brazil. The Netherlands won that game and advanced further. Everyone at the hostel bar was cheering. After that some of us left for the beach but stopped at the grocery store to pick up some snacks. I rode on the back of Nathan’s bike on the way there. My butt really hurt but it was worth it. Once we were at the beach we ate bread, cheese, and wine. I mostly ate bread and sat on the beach. The ride home was much easier because we switched bikes with one of our teachers that was bigger and able to carry two people. My butt still hurt but not as bad. I got back to the hostel and packed my bags. We leave for Amsterdam tomorrow.

7/03/10

Location: Amsterdam

Today we traveled to Amsterdam from Texel. After we ate breakfast we carried all of our stuff to get on a bus then got on a ferry and then on another bus to get on a train and then a tram to get to our hostel. We settled down into our rooms and then had a little bit of time to walk around the city. Nathan, Hannah, Lacey, and I walked around for a little while but went back to the hostel because it started raining. We spent some time sitting at the bar at the hostel until it was time for dinner. We get free dinner at the hostel this week which is great but there’s not much to choose from. I ate boiled potatoes for dinner and some mandarin oranges I bought at the grocery store. After dinner some of us went to a bar to watch the soccer game with Spain vs. Paraguay. We also walked around the city a little and then came back to the hostel. It’s been a pretty long day and I’m going to sleep now.

Amsterdam in the morning

Very peaceful and quiet canal in Amsterdam.

We’ve had an interesting and relaxing week here on the Dutch island of Texel. Our classes and research are going well, the weather has been mild and sunny with highs in the 70s, and the students, faculty, and guests have ridden our bicycles, or fiets, from one end of the island to the other.

Yesterday my design history students took their second test and this morning the first draft of their research paper is due. On Wednesday Dr. Lukosius’ marketing students chose to have a 4-hour lecture, taking the day off on Thursday. Originally we had planned on traveling to Belgium today, but the travel problems we had getting here doubled the expected travel time made that an uninviting prospect. Instead we have planned a tour of a local brewery and a wine and cheese picnic on the beach—about a 6 kilometer distance away by fiets.

Sunday is the first day of the Tour de France, and the race begins in Rotterdam. I’m planning to take a day trip down with my friend Dave Zandstra to see the packed crowds, media, and flash of riders that is the tour. Students are welcome to come along, although the excitement of being in a new city may keep them there with Dr. Lukosius.

6/28/10

Location: Texel

The breakfast is the same as the hostel in Rotterdam. I eat turkey and fruit in the morning. Then instead of class we went to a dairy farm to learn about the production of cheese on this island. The tour was pretty fun, I learned about the cows and sheep they had. Afterwards, we went to the market in town by our hostel. It’s really nice to be able to ride a bike into town. At the market I bought some mandarin oranges and then went to the grocery store to pick up a few other things. Then I went back and took a nap for a couple of hours. It was my first nap on this trip so far.

Later in the day I watched the soccer game at the bar in the hostel. The Netherlands won again. Then I went on a short bike ride with Nathan around the town. Afterwards, I just relaxed at the hostel until I went to bed. I enjoy being able to relax while I’m here.

6/29/10

Location: Texel

I woke up and ate breakfast and then did some of my marketing homework. I had class in the afternoon and then went back to my room. I tried to take a nap but I couldn’t fall asleep; probably because I slept part of the time in class. I stayed up and talked with some of the girls in my room for a while. Then we decided to go into town to get something for dinner. We stopped and ate pizza at a local restaurant in town and then went to the grocery store and got some ice cream. I came back and relaxed for the rest of the time. I watched part of the soccer game that was on and then went to bed.

6/25/10

Location: Rotterdam

After eating breakfast this morning the marketing class left went on the Spido boat tour. The tour was about an hour long and it was pretty fun. We got to learn about the city of Rotterdam while on a boat in the nice weather. Afterwards, our group searched for a place called Tattoo Bob because one of the guys wanted to get a quote tattooed on his side. We walked for over an hour searching for the shop. It was in the middle of nowhere. After finding the place some of us left to go back to the hostel while he got his tattoo. I kind of wanted to get one while I was here but I wasn’t sure what my parents would say. I got to relax and get some computer work done at the hostel and the library. Then I went to the shopping center called the Alexandrium. I enjoyed walking around the different shops there.

I got back to the hostel about 9:30pm so I could go with some people to a night club called Hollywood. Everything at the club was really expensive and I got touched by at least 2 different guys. I only stayed around for about 2 hours and then me and Lacey went back home. It was a fun experience but it’s not my favorite thing to do. While I was there I saw a guy who had to be taken to the back of the club because he had alcohol poisoning. I eventually made it back to the hostel and showered and went to bed.

6/26/10

Location: Rotterdam 

We found out yesterday that we had one more day in Rotterdam than we thought. I got to sleep in until 9:30 and then eat breakfast. Some of the girls didn’t get back from the club until 6 this morning so they slept until the afternoon. I went to the market to look around and then the library to get some of my work done.

When I got back to the room Hannah was still sleeping. I relaxed at the hostel for a while until the other girls got back. I went with Lacey to check out tattoo shops again but they weren’t able to do anything that day. Which is really different from the U.S. because you can go and get drunk and then get a tattoo at midnight. It takes all the fun away by closing early.

After looking around we met up with some other people from our group. We walked for about a half hour to go to a free music festival. There was a reason that it was free because it wasn’t good and we left after 10 minutes. I went with Hannah, Lacey, Priti,  Nathan, and Christina to a kids playground and spent about an hour there. Then we went to look for some dinner and ate at a place called Betty Beer and I ate some chicken. The country is filled with these types of restaurants that have bears as mascots. We eventually went back to the hostel amd packed our bags for Texel.

6/27/10

Location: Texel

We got up this morning and ate breakfast and then started our traveling to Texel. We walked to the bus station to get to the train station. Evidentally we didn’t get off at the right stop so we had to take two more trains and then take a bus and then a ferry and then another bus to get to our hostel. The whole trip took 8 hours. After we got to the hostel we had orientation and then rented bikes. We biked to a restaurant near the beach which was about 6 miles away. Overall, I biked more than 10 miles today. Afterwards, I got to relax at the hostel and talk to other people

Sharing the visuals.