London

London: Take One...

Our original plan was to leave Maastricht Thursday afternoon to make the train to Brussels and then to London. I managed to switch around my schedule so this plan would work. The ride to Brussels was smooth. I even managed to have time to bond with the Subway employees while scarfing down my almost American tasting sandwich.  However, against my better judgement, I only brought a copy of my passport with me. Long story short, I was sent back home to Maastricht on a train. Luckily, the nice woman working at the counter stamped my pass and said it would be good for 24 hours. I figured I would try my London adventure again in the morning.

They say everything happens for a reason and I truly believe that. I had such a great time on the train ride home that I wasn't even upset about missing the train to London. I met a group of slightly intoxicated Americans from Texas and California that were pure entertainment the entire way back.

London: Take Two... 

Friday morning, after only two hours of sleep, I managed to roll out of bed, make it to the supermarket to put minutes on my phone, shower, and eventually make it to London. I met a group of friends in the market and went sightseeing the rest of the day. We went to The London Tower, Abbey Road, The London Eye, and The London Bridge. A lot of walking to pack into 4 hours.

That night, we went to an underground warehouse party. I've never been anywhere like this. The atmosphere was outrageous and the people there were even crazier. I witnessed some interesting dancing... I still don't know if interesting is the right word.

The next day we got up early and continued our sightseeing with Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and everything in between. I feel like there is so much left for me to see in London so I already decided I am going back. The Harry Potter tour is a top priority on my things to do.

 Out of all the sightseeing, my favorite place was our adventure in Notting Hill. We went to the Portobello Market there and it was a taste of what real London is like. It wasn't as touristy and everything was so bright and colorful. It was a refreshing little area with great shops and food.

The ride home was a memorable one. I think Morgan and I got stuck with the weirdest people in our coaches. Not to mention we were delerious from the serious lack of sleep. There was one guy in particular that kept whispering songs to himself which ultimately turned into a loud shout by the end of the trip. I couldn't tell you how many times we exchanged looks and started laughing hysterically at him. So to you, weird guy, thanks for the entertainment. I needed it since my iPod and phone were dead.
If you look in the background of the uber attractive picture of me sleeping, you will meet this man.

All in all, London was a success and I can't wait to go back. I could eventually see myself living there someday.

This hallway smells like poo!

I love the hall I live in. Everyone is so kind, welcoming, and outgoing. There is music constantly playing which seems to keep everyone in an upbeat mood. We've all even taken an initiative to decorate our doors with our home countries as a theme. Not going to lie, my USA door looks pretty good.

I've managed to bond especially with the Canadians and Australian in the unit. It's like having some older brothers around. Everyone seems to congregate in our hallway too. It's the place to be. The constant swarm of people in our unit truly attests to how great everyone is because... our hallway smells like a dirty diaper. 100% of the complaining in our hall stems from this stench. At least once a day I hear, "This hallway smells like poo!". A kid across the hall is a smoker and smokes in his room. I'm not the biggest fan of that smell, but let me tell you; I prefer it over the rank smell that typically consumes the hallway. Poo smell aside, I love where I am living.

I have to go to school?

The schooling here is so unbelievably different. It makes me appreciate the structure of Butler. There are small groups of about 14 or so and a tutor. Everyone is assigned reading, but instead of the instructor lecturing and teaching, the students are teaching each other. Kind of like the blind leading the blind if you ask me.

The first day of class everyone had to introduce themselves. I turned out to be the only exchange student in both of my classes. I felt like I was the new panda exhibit at the Amsterdam Zoo. There were so many questions. However, some people became completely uninterested when they realized I was from Indiana. They would respond with an underwhelmed 'oh' and find someone new to talk to.

I did manage to find a nice Dutch student named Juliette who keeps reassuring me that I will adjust to the new structure soon. I always look to her whenever I get confused and she graciously helps me. I've also managed to help her if there are any English words she doesn't understand. This has taught me something about myself, I really am horrible at describing things. I find myself speaking with my hands over here more than ever.

Maastricht

The past two weeks have been crazy and there is absolutely no way to sum them up in one post. So I'm going to begin with the things that have really stuck out in my head...

Laundry is... free. Not that I can read what any of the cycles mean since they are in Dutch, but  I'm not complaining. Free is good in any culture. 

What isn't free... Ketchup. Water. Using the Restroom.

I was so shocked the first night, in Maastricht, when I went to the bathroom and a lady made me pay her to leave. Since then, I've come up with quite a few good excuses to get out of paying or I wait in the stall for another person to come along and then dart out while the money collector is side tracked. Pathetic, I know. What has my life come to? Maybe it's just the American in me, but I think using the restroom is a God-given right.

Another shocker the first night? The Dutch LOVE the song, "Dynamite" so much that they feel the urge to take their pants off whenever it plays. I was unaware of this the first night and as the song was playing I glanced on stage and thought to myself... 'wow that girl's dress is really short'. My double take confirmed that her pants were at her ankles along with everyone else on stage. My jaw literally dropped. Another student must have seen my reaction because he leaned in and said that in two weeks I would be up there doing the same thing. Sorry kid, but my mom taught me to keep my pants on in public. I'm happy to report that I have been here two weeks and have yet to participate in that debacle.

I'm finally learning my way around the town, not that I can pronounce any of the squares or streets. I just kind of mumble and I think people understand what I'm talking about. Either that or they're just being polite. Churches in Maastricht are all good landmarks. There is one that was painted red. Absolutely beautiful. When I see that, I know I'm near the McDonald's. I'm so American.

I think I've gone on long enough. I will post pictures soon and try to keep up with the blogging. Catch you guys later.