bigger is not always better
As assured- more on AmsterDAMN!
I knew that it would be a great experience but I did NOT expect it to cause me to want to be a mother.
When we landed, my luggage was lost and my luggage would protest via absence on more than one occasion. That's fine- the laid-back culture makes it manageable. The first thing I noticed was the language(S). Everything is printed in at least 3 languages. Reminded of the cluster fuck in Farmers Branch (some b.s. about making engl-ish the official language...) and I became frustrated with this sense of entitlement over the stupid things that we Americans seem to have. I found it very easy to pick up bits of the language given that it was everywhere and difficult to understand why we get so irritated at having something (anything!) in even 2 languages. I really want to learn another language now.
After a few days of wandering around such a beautiful aged city- noticing the history was easy, noticing the locals on bikes was elusive. After getting hit by a man on bike- I promptly paid better attention (for at least 15 minutes). Cars give way to peds, peds give way to bikes. Bikes are everywhere! It was unreal- I don't think people bother buying one, they just ride whatever is out there.... The cutest thing was seeing any kid over the age of 5 on their own little bicycletta.
The museums were great- the tight quarters were bearable with friendly people. The children were everywhere. Europe, as I understand it, is far more child friendly than we. It was very interesting to see so many children, strapped to a body or on a bike. In museums, which in my mind are typically uppity white-folks places, kids are present. Coloring on the floor or softly asking questions. Seen and subtly heard. It was very inspiring and empowering but I don't feel like it translates to American. At least not for me, at least not now. I'll still give the reason- I have yet to meet a man- man enough- to make me want to bear babies. Pleasently true.
I'll have a ton more pictures posted to flickr but I thought these were some of the most telling of the trip. I wish so much that I could have bottled up the sense of calm and brought it back with me. There are so many great things- communal seating in restaurants, multiple languages, time-honored culture, coffee-shops, pleasant people, history. . . I guess the t-shirty will suffice.
I knew that it would be a great experience but I did NOT expect it to cause me to want to be a mother.
When we landed, my luggage was lost and my luggage would protest via absence on more than one occasion. That's fine- the laid-back culture makes it manageable. The first thing I noticed was the language(S). Everything is printed in at least 3 languages. Reminded of the cluster fuck in Farmers Branch (some b.s. about making engl-ish the official language...) and I became frustrated with this sense of entitlement over the stupid things that we Americans seem to have. I found it very easy to pick up bits of the language given that it was everywhere and difficult to understand why we get so irritated at having something (anything!) in even 2 languages. I really want to learn another language now.
After a few days of wandering around such a beautiful aged city- noticing the history was easy, noticing the locals on bikes was elusive. After getting hit by a man on bike- I promptly paid better attention (for at least 15 minutes). Cars give way to peds, peds give way to bikes. Bikes are everywhere! It was unreal- I don't think people bother buying one, they just ride whatever is out there.... The cutest thing was seeing any kid over the age of 5 on their own little bicycletta.
The museums were great- the tight quarters were bearable with friendly people. The children were everywhere. Europe, as I understand it, is far more child friendly than we. It was very interesting to see so many children, strapped to a body or on a bike. In museums, which in my mind are typically uppity white-folks places, kids are present. Coloring on the floor or softly asking questions. Seen and subtly heard. It was very inspiring and empowering but I don't feel like it translates to American. At least not for me, at least not now. I'll still give the reason- I have yet to meet a man- man enough- to make me want to bear babies. Pleasently true.
I'll have a ton more pictures posted to flickr but I thought these were some of the most telling of the trip. I wish so much that I could have bottled up the sense of calm and brought it back with me. There are so many great things- communal seating in restaurants, multiple languages, time-honored culture, coffee-shops, pleasant people, history. . . I guess the t-shirty will suffice.
This entry was posted
on Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 10:07 PM.
You can skip to the end and leave a response.
Great pictures! I would love to see more of them. It looks like you had a great time!
Mel
» Post a Comment