I’m still trying not to get run over by bicycles every day and feeling ridiculous being the only one standing on their feet at a traffic light. But I’m hoping to get a bicycle next week. Still contemplating whether I should get a bicycle helmet and be ridiculed.

no words!

Yummy!

I’ve also stood in a long line to eat the “best” pancake in Amsterdam. It was good but not worth the wait. On the way back I encountered one of the strangest festivals ever. It’s called Black Pete parade and it’s this strange take off on Santa. But in the Dutch version Santa comes from Spain and his elf is a black guy called Pete. Some say Pete is black because he comes through the chimney but I’m not sure that would explain his frizzy hair. It’s more likely to do with the Dutch history of imperialism and slavery. So basically you have a bunch of white people getting dressed up as black people and running around carrying presents and giving away sweets while a white Santa is riding on a horse towering over all of them. Sounds racist? Well some people think so and there is a big debate including heated demonstrations for and against Black Pete.

I think I was expecting a little more from the public transportation here. It’s frequently late and only a few lines work throughout the night on the weekend. I’m still trying to figure out the garbage disposal system. It seems very complex and I’ve even met a girl who keeps her wet garbage in the freezer because you can only throw out the garbage once a week.

I miss burning man!

I was at the Dutch decompression party which is a continuation of the burning man culture. It was pretty good with and definitely gives you some flashbacks from the burn. Cool art, some naked people and a healthy dose of mayhem.

In between all of this I also managed to find an apartment. I knew Amsterdam housing was crazy but turns out my little university city is pretty tough too. I saw some rooms that were totally unlivable (even in my living standards) for 500 euro.Finally I found a small room in a very nice house with 2 flatmates that have the potential of becoming good friends. Wish me luck.

Just to show you I have soaked in some of the culture, let’s talk about the weather. So far it has been better than expected. I got a few hours of sun on most days and when it rains it’s this drizzle which isn’t too bad and it isn’t that cold yet. But as the saying goes, winter is coming 🙂