I'm finally going to begin my first post about my experience so far in Europe!
Sorry for being so lazy to post.
Firstly, my writing is terrible and I fail so miserably to transform my thoughts and feelings into words and it frustrates me that sometimes I'm just so lazy to try.
Secondly, there's SO MUCH mixed feelings and emotions and experiences that I want to share that I just don't know where to start.
But well, I got to start somewhere... So here I am now.
Thanks Reb for starting the ball and showing me how it's done. Haha.
So it's day 4 of my 2 week long pre-semester solo trip and day 9 since I've landed in Europe. Thank God, things are really picking up for me. Before this trip, I spent most of my waking hour in Germany thinking about family and friends and everything about Singapore. I even resorted to visiting toggle.sg just to get a little piece of what I can of Singapore to make me feel connected to home... I'm uncovering the patriotism I never knew I had within me. The person I was before would probably have endless complaints about Singapore and desire so much just to get out of the country and would think that I'd rather live as a hermit in some place else.
But I believe so strongly now that home is really truly where your loved ones are and no one can live without people. And Singapore is the best place on earth, not because it has the safest roads and dirty hawker centers and great ban mian and Hokkien mee, but because it is where all the people I love are.
And I'm already looking forward to going home. :-)
But while I'm stuck here in Europe, I'm determined to make the most out of it and this trip to Netherlands has been a rather good start. I'm so glad I chose to get out of the miserable town of Mannheim and visit this small but extremely pretty, laid back and friendly country of holland.
And also to get out of my comfort zone and meet people from various parts of the world.
The people here are really much friendlier and the Dutch speak much better English than the Germans which makes it so much easier to get help which is so essential when you are on your own.
I'm leaving Amsterdam in about 2 hours to another city in Netherlands called Den Haag. In fact, Amsterdam is so pretty that I feel a tinge of sadness that I'm leaving. I will definitely miss the sight of Amsterdam just when you get out of the central station and the metro. The architecture of the buildings ahead of you and the busy roads of trams, cars and cyclists... It's so pretty and so unique to Amsterdam.
Getting lost is the best way to explore the city.
Every street you turn is picturesque... Endless canals, bridges, colorful odd-shaped tilting buildings strung together, each beautifully and uniquely designed, and locals cycling through cobble-stoned lanes and alleys, making me feel like I'm almost in the movie 'Amelie'.
My traveling companion from Hong Kong.
Poffertjes - Dutch version of pancakes - basically just tiny pancakes served with powdered sugar and butter. I don't really like pancakes but this is really nice!
The following pictures were taken at Zaanse schans (pronounced zaan tze-hahns), an open air museum depicting the working and living communities of the 18 and 19th century.
It was very pretty and all but I didnt really like this place as much; too touristy.
I was alone on this day, my 2nd day in Netherlands. While it gets depressingly lonely at times, I'm also savouring the joys of solo traveling. When you're out on your own, you notice the surroundings a little more, observe people more.
And technically, you are really not alone. Living in hostels gives you the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.
I just got to know some of the girls I'm sleeping with tonight - 2 of them are from turkey, one from Venezuela, and the other is from France! Thank god for giving me nice roommates, though much of what they talk about is sex and guys, and while I'm typing this they are downstairs in the bar drinking and meeting other guys.
On my first day in Amsterdam, I made friends with a girl from Hong Kong almost immediately after checking into the hostel. She had just finished her exchange study programme in Germany and was touring around Europe before going back to HK. So that day we went sightseeing around Amsterdam together, cooked dinner and the next morning went for breakfast before her train to hamburg.
And just yesterday I visited the old holland fishing villages with a girl from Shang hai who is currently living in Germany to learn German. We went to 3 villages - edam, volendam and marken. Each village had its own unique style and character but all were sooooo pretty. I couldn't get enough of saying "wow this place is so pretty". And strolling through the villages gave me a very laid back vibe which was extremely relaxing and lovely. It was by far my favorite day since coming to Europe, hands down.
Appeltaart - basically it's just Apple tart, a traditional Dutch dessert. Here they serve it with whipped cream and a cup of koffie (coffee).
Bitterballen - a common Dutch snack - gooey mixture of chopped beef, butter, herbs and spices coated with breadcrumbs then deep fried.
My traveling companion from Shanghai.
It was nice to have company, someone to talk to, someone to share the beautiful sights with, someone to share food and split the costs with, someone to listen to you repeat "wow this place is so pretty" a gazillion times.
Still, nothing beats going around at your own pace and doing things you want without worrying about the interest of others. It's a rather selfish thought I know. Each time I'm afraid and am tempted to retreat to my comfort zone, these words which my sister wrote to me on my farewell card "meet places and explore people" rings in my ear.
It reminds me that we are not here to serve ourselves, but how we ought to love people, be concerned for people, be a blessing to others, to touch people and make a positive difference in their lives no matter how small it may be.
At the beginning, I was quite apprehensive of traveling alone because I didn't know how safe it would be and feared the thought of getting kidnapped by a taxi driver at 4am or robbed at the train station. But it really isn't as scary and dangerous as it seems. Though of course, I do not want to be over-confident and take my safety for granted. Besides, I must remember that all these blessings come from God and He is the one protecting and watching over me.
Sorry that this post is quite incoherent time wise. It was written over 2 days.
As I type this, I'm actually already on my way to Belgium.
After stopping over at delft for a short walk around this quiet and lovely city and running for 2 connecting trains, I'm finally on my last train to Antwerp! The scenery outside is really beautiful.
Vast green farmland, streams, horses, cows, sheeps grazing the field, puffy white clouds and clear blue skies. How marvelous god's creations are!
Mix of pictures taken today at delft and yesterday at Haarlem-
So it's goodbye to Netherlands and hello Belgium!
Was greeted delightfully by the extremely beautiful and grand central station of Antwerp.
The one thing I regret the most of my trip is not renting a bike and touring around the countryside on it.
The reason that I came to Netherlands was mainly because the road here is unrelentingly flat and good for cycling... But I was just too afraid I would get lost and all that. It's a great pity because the weather these days have been perfect for cycling. Ah, next time perhaps!
And lastly, to Huiyi and Rebekah,
Just want to say, thank you so much for the love and care.
You don't know how your existence on the other side of the earth and whatsapp messages (even if it's just complaining about a lecturer looking fierce) and Facetime calls give me so much mysterious strength.
Every time you guys mention about school stuff on whatsapp, I really wish I was there to go through the stress together with both of you. Thanks so much for always being there for me and know that I'm always thinking about you and missing you guys every single day.
And these words will remain etched in my mind as I try my very best by God's grace to live it out in the next 4 months... to meet places and explore people.
Tot ziens!
Hsiaowoon
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