Typically Dutch!

Day 3: They didn't tell me I needed to be in shape to study here! 

This morning I woke up so sore. It was almost as bad as soccer preseason, and that was sore! I had a really great breakfast of granola and yogurt! Shout out to Beth for recommending the granola! It is cheap and good, my new staple snack and breakfast!  We then had another class session today and talked about what is Typically Dutch, or basically what we have noticed is different. I of course said the water is instantly hot! I can't believe how fast it gets hot, but believe me it is wonderful because in the morning it is freezing in our rooms and the only way to warm up would be the amazing showers! Steef said it gets hot so fast because it has to travel a short distance! Some other things that other people noticed in the group were of course the bikes and how crazy they are for riding on the street with cars. We learned that children learn to ride bikes as young as one and a half! They kind of brag about when their kids learn to ride with out side wheels. We talked about the history and how a door in our classroom is older than the United States of America, the cobblestone and brick. I found it funny that we associate bricks with the rich and here everything is made of brick. The only way you can tell the status of who owns/owned the house is to look at the grout line. The thinner it is the more money they had. One of the girls noticed that outside people but insulation in their plant pots which is a genius idea. Making a note of this so I remember it for Iowa weather in the fall! 


After this discussion we had lunch....which I forgot to take a picture of! Sorry guys! It wasn't anything special. Just a ham and cheese panini and a banana. We then went on another walk of Leiden (should have worn better shoes because after roughly 2 hours on the brick streets I had a horrible foot cramp). We saw things like windmills, a burg, learned about the unique architecture, and some fun stories. I figure it is easier to tell it to you by picture than by word. 

For those of you who care....This is where John Adams lived!!! If you don't know who he is shame on you! He is one of our founding fathers and our second president. 

I can't remember the name of this church, but it is the one where pilgrims came to be married. 

Here is an example of a step gable roof. All the roofs here have to be really steep so that water runs off and a way to finish it if was to use the step gable. 

The home of Rembrandt once stood in this spot. 

This are what I call giant fins for the boats. They are lowered down into the water as it gets deeper to prevent the ship from capsizing. 

This is my favorite tree in the world, as of now. It is located in the botanical garden where I will be spending a lot of my time when the weather gets nice. While here I saw a touch of home some Mallard ducks sitting in the canal! 

This is a building that is now used for Leiden University. Inside you will find what is known as the sweat room where graduates used to wait to see if they had gotten there M.A. Once they find out if they have gotten it or not they sign the wall. If you also look in the picture you can see a closed doorway next to the window. It used to be a closed bridge for the nuns to walk from their living quarters which is the building I was standing next to while taking this picture to the chapel where they would sing and pray seven times a day. 

Here is a better picture of the closed doorway that I mentioned in the last caption. 

Ah! The Burg! This protected the town when the Northmen went all haywire because they were low on women. At one point the Netherlands and the Northmen, vikings, were close friends, but once the vikings needed mating partners it didn't matter who their friends were. Isn't there a saying where you are supposed to put bros before hoes? 

Hey look it is me! I am standing by the ledge of the Burg where you can see the city of Leiden in the background. I was too chicken to actually sit in the window. They are a lot taller than they look! 

After we got back from the tour we warmed up while we learned about the courses we could take and what is called a Borrel, literally meaning a small drink or drinks with friends. So we talked with our professors over a beer about what to expect living here and from classes and anything else that came up in conversation! Then we got back to our dorms and made spaghetti. Nothing too exciting happened after that. Stay tuned for the adventures of tomorrow! :)

I love this picture, don't ask why, but I thought it would be a great end to the day!