In General

Ok so I realize as though it may seem that my life in Maastricht revolves around biking, which to a degree it does.. but that is not ALL I do.

A few updates on Trips and Photos as well :)

First Major trip here was with the Jansen's to Italy--- Cinque Terre to be precise was our official destination, and ofcourse an adventure all in itself. I initially flew into Italy with a friend's boyfriend who happens to be the youngest Politician in Italy. I stayed at his place in Toscana, a great introduction to Italy and the ancient architecture and wineyards. The next morning I met Mary and Aaron in Pisa Centrale where we spent a few hours walking around Pisa, a city centered around the famous leaning tower, and pretty much it. So we hopped onto a trian to Cinque Terre: a beautiful series of towns on the North West coast of Italy, absolutely beautiful. In Cinque Terre, we spent most of our day hiking through the five cities, me being attacked by what I imagine to have been the biggest Medusa that never lived (photos for PROOF) and ending a full day's hike with a sea kayak in the Mediterranean. Getting a sea kayak was undoubtedly the easiest thing ever, no waivers, no signing anything, no life vests-- just here, take the kayak and go, please bring back when done. :)

Coming back from Italy was an adventure all in itself, I ended up encountering a lightning/ thunderstorm at about 4 AM, where Aaron and I were forced to run from woods to train station at 5 in the morning, with headlamps as rain soaked us and lightning lit up the dark sky about every 20 seconds-- an incredible experience. I thank Aaron for being my mule and running with my duffle bag on his back, I think our 5 K time that morning had to have been 17 min 32 seconds-- record. :) Things only got better from there, I ended up being flightless due to weather related cancellations and rerouted from Pisa to Milan by train that afternoon, sleeping in Milano airport alone that night, flight to Brussles in the AM, train from Brussels to Maastricht in the early afternoon and finally home almost 36 hours later. This is travel in Europe, it is not a matter of whether it can be done, it's a matter of how long you are willing to sit on trains, sleep in airports, and wait in ques to get your travel arranged. Nevertheless, I am forced to become much more patient.

Bacci!

Bike Adventure

From Sep 23rd.

OK so now I am finally deciding to blog today.. I decided this because today is the day I had a close meeting with death, and because I am alive I must blog…

Still in Maastricht, this place is a new adventure day by day. Not having blogged for 3 weeks puts me behind, but I will catch up.

So to put things into perspective, I purchased a bike from a man in the countryside who fixes and sells bikes for 40 euros, this bike had some wobbley wheels, but I was assured it was quite OK, no problemo. I took this bike home and spend a day in Amsterdam, then came back today to ride it today, for the first day. Now, please picture me riding a city bike, I am an animal, passing old men, children, and those on road bikes with my 20 years old, rusted, wobbley tire city bike.

Today I realized that a 40 euro bike is not for me about

as much as I am NOT for it either. After a long day at school I was heading into the city, riding down hill in my sandals with a few bikes and cars on my tail… all of the sudden without forewarning my front wheel malfunctioned which sent the back of my bike into the air and me into midair flying forward into the cobblestone street. I only realized what happened as I was standing on my two feet, turned around at the faces in AWE at what just happened. All I could say was.. I’m OK, I’m OK.. as my legs started shaking and I realized that the adrenaline was leaving me and I could soon feel the pain in my leg and my child bearing region.
Nevertheless, I am OK. And as biking is the only form of transportation around here, I quickly contacted the man in Belgium I had heard of who had bikes out of his garage and arranged to be there at 9:30 PM, same day.

Arriving at his door, a jolley white haired man, happy to see 3 beautiful young women proceeded to entertain us while trying to sell bikes of varying colors, qualities and styles. I walked out of there with another 40 euro bike, this one much better, and my two friends with 2 bikes for 15 euro each, which is unheard of! Given we had no room for 3 bikes in the car, I volunteered to ride through the countryside from Belgium to maasricht at 10:30 PM, with my trusted collegue and friend driving behind me with her lights so as to protect me… 30 minutes later, we arrived safely at my place, 3 bikes in hand. Oh the adventure that is my new life. J

FINALLY Getting to the BLOG

I have been here for 4 weeks now, and it is officially time to start blogging. School has really gotten under way, the study of Epidemiology is proving to be quite challenging and time consuming. Literature reviews, Statistical analyses, books, SPSS.. all while trying to master the Dutch system of biking, banking and cellular phones.

Did I mention that I have also managed throw about one adventure or more in per day? This is why I blog, to recount, to share the adventures and to keep those of you interested updated with the everyday life of being a foreign student in Maastricht-- where 60% of students are foreign, mainly German, and where speaking dutch is as unheard of as using a dryer to dry your clothes.

I am living on the 8th floor of a highrise with my 3 finnish roomates, Eeva, Inka and Jenni-- we have a great time-- studying, going out, cooking, yelling finnish profanities when the internet that still hasn't come is shotty. I've been through about as many bikes as the weeks I have been here, I am already on bike number 3, hopefully this one lasts a bit longer.

This is the intro, more to come soon... very soon so stay posted!

dank u wel!