A day in the life of a foreigner

Yesterday was a little vague, I’d like to give you some insight on some deeper concepts Amsterdam has offered these past few days. 

The food situation is… interesting to say the least.  Seeing as how we can’t speak Dutch, reading menus is problematic.  Some restaurants have an English version, but you have to ask for it.  Also, since we’re living in an apartment, we’re totally on our own for food.  No meal plan, no food court, no nothin’.  So far I’ve eaten French fries (frites), a cheeseburger (with a magical mystery sauce), and an authentic Italian Panini.  Tonight we were lucky enough to find a grocery store, where I bought a few staples: m&m’s, nutella, etc.

Oh yeah, so the grocery store.  They don’t really have carts, they have like carry baskets and then these baskets that have an extendable arm that you pull around similar to a suitcase.  All the labels are in Dutch, naturally, and the American items are about 10 times more expensive.  Reese’s Puffs for example were 9 euro, equivalent to like $11.  Holy shit.  So I gathered some milk, dutch special k (with chocolate obviously), loaf of bread, and nutella and headed to the 12 year old cashier.  As he scanned my items I realized there was no one to bag them at the end.  Okay, so I have to bag my own groceries, fair enough.  However, then when I ventured to the end of the lane, there were no bags to be found.  I politely asked the cashier for a bag and he handed me one about the size of those bags they put greeting cards in at Wal Mart.  For my basket full of items.  I frantically motioned over to Emily like, “What THE hell?!”  when she mouthed that we actually had to buy the grocery bags.  Yes, that’s right, you have to purchase your own grocery bags here in Amsterdam.  For about 20 cents a piece.  I quietly bought 2 bags and filled them with my things.  Absolutely flabbergasted.

What a concept though, buying plastic grocery bags.  I had somewhat noticed the green movement in pretty full swing here with the bike prominence and push for recycling, but man grocery bags!  Guess that’s an incentive to bring your own sacks though, I sure as heck am not trying to buy bags every time.

So, hows the money you ask?  Most everyone back home has asked about the cost difference between here and the states.  While I know the monetary difference is about $1.70 to 1 Euro, it honestly feels like I’m spending Monopoly money here.  It’s a different size, different color, and 1 and 2 Euros are coins.  Weird.  So honestly I’m probably blowing money left and right, but it doesn’t feel like I’m spending anything at all.  Probably not great.

Today, however was much better, as on the campus tour we were made aware of the food court (insert Hallelujah), I squeezed in a nap, and I was actually able to exchange my new phone number with some friends!  This weekend we have signed up for the International Student Introduction Days, where we will do various things in and around the city.  Very exciting.

For now the to-do list still goes on with finding a bike, registering for classes, loading my public transportation card, and buying trash bags.  We're definitely getting there, although I can't really tell if I'm actually mentally doing okay or if I'm just so freaking tired that I don't really give a shit about anything besides food and sleep.  Maybe at around the time my jet lag fatigue wears off I'll simultaneously feel more accustomed to my new home, but for now I shall finish my bread, nutella, and banana snack and head to bed early.

Miss you all,

Messie