On to more visits to Dutch towns! Just a warning, this post is going to be incredibly short on account of me having one of my busiest weeks here- and seriously, that's saying a lot.
But anyway, the day after Leuven we went to Antwerp. I loved it a lot- the city is known for its port and its diamond trade done traditionally and still mainly carried out by the Hasidic Jews who will sell you tens of thousands of dollars on a handshake. Seriously, this is how all business transactions should be carried out- it's no much more civilized and trusting.
After seeing the daimond section we toured a beautiful cathedral which got us out of the cold for a bit, then had lunch. After lunch we did some more touring and saw some crazy statues and a view of the river. We walked a good but of Antwerp, and the Jerry left us to our own devices. Antwerp is known for many things, one of which is their fashion, so even though we missed the big sales by about 5 days Christina, Shiza and I went shopping. This is where I discovered that while delicious, I should probably be eating less of my homestay family's food. In true "me" fashion however, five minutes after making a diet pledge I ate my first Belgian waffle! It was super delicious. We went shopping for a while and I bought a Zara cardigan for 6 Euros, so everything was good.
After this we were completely exhausted so we had half-dinner at this place that smelled delicious yet had cold soup and then went home, where I got 8 hours of sleep!!
Rested from my sleep MARATHON, the next morning we made our way to Ghent, where all of my energy left me the second we got there. We did manage to tour a castle which had this ridiculous video tour which taught you nothing of the actual castle but weaved this intricate drama of a Jewish merchant falling in love with the Duke's almost-queen Portuguese wife andbeing friends with this old writer he kept calling "pen-pusher". It was strange.
After that we did another tour where we saw some beautiful buildings, and we ended up in the cathedral that houses the van Eyck brothers' "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb"- aside from spending an hour with the painting listening to the audio guide, I also took a walk around the gorgeous cathedral. After this I met up with Catherine, where we made our way home.
Rinske and I decided to try out a cafe on our campus before going home, but we didn't stay long on account of how EXTREMELY exhausted we were and the 974918749817349134 hours of class waiting for us tomorrow.
And tonight I write to you after many hours of class and internship- my internship is getting mroe interesting- I attended a meeting today on Child Protection with representatives from Human Rights Watch and Save the Children, and started writing up Executive Summaries on the EU's Human Rights Guidelines. I have a computer now, but no harddrive. Poco a Poco.
Tomorrow I have my internship, then am off to Luxembourg!
Besitos!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
My life post-Barcelona
I was hoping that this week I could recover from Barcelona, but no dice!
This week we had hella-class plus internships plus our first EXAM plus leuven, antwerp, and tomorrow ghent, so I am still working on minimal sleep, but also extremely happy.
Monday was, if I recall, not very exciting and was largely taken up with classes, but on Tuesday I had my first day at my internship! Which was... interesting?
I don't think they were very ready for an intern, due to the fact that I had no desk, had no computer, and no work to do. Apparently one of the full-time staff just got back from maternity leave and the other from Iraq and didn't have time to brief. Also there was another full-time intern who was starting on Wednesday (she got a desk AND work to do) so I guess they were pretty swamped, but it wasn't the msot encouraging of welcomes. They gave me about 300 pages of filler reading to do each day, and when I was done they sent me home. I was home by 2 pm both days.
The lack of enthusiasm was a bit disconcerting, but I do love the organization and find their work extremely interesting, so I will give it some time.
Tuesday and Wednesday were basically internship days, and Thursday was filled with class and mega test studying. I went to Trent's house to cook dinner and study with him, Ben, and Rinske after class, and we were there until eleven.
The day of the test, I thought it was an hour earlier than it actually was so I got there at 9:30, but whatever cause it was an extra hour of studying. And for a 50 question multiple choice, the test was extremely hard- I'm a little nervous about the results. Jerry said he'd curve, but since I'm pretty sure Trent got a hundred, there goes the curve! haha.
After the test we went to Leuven (after me and Rinske had a lunch of leftover plain pasta with lemon juice- we paid two euros to cook dinner Thursday night and got a lunch out of it too!) which was very nice, but probably my least favorite of the places we've gone. It just really didn't have much to offer besides a delicious kebab place with a dirt-cheap student menu. The town is a college town and has been for hundreds of years, so it was definiftely interesting, but compared to Bruges and Antwerp didn't really offer much.
After Leuven some people were talking about going out, but I decided that me almost falling asleep in the metro was a sign that I should go home.
I was so excited to get nine hours of sleep!!
This week we had hella-class plus internships plus our first EXAM plus leuven, antwerp, and tomorrow ghent, so I am still working on minimal sleep, but also extremely happy.
Monday was, if I recall, not very exciting and was largely taken up with classes, but on Tuesday I had my first day at my internship! Which was... interesting?
I don't think they were very ready for an intern, due to the fact that I had no desk, had no computer, and no work to do. Apparently one of the full-time staff just got back from maternity leave and the other from Iraq and didn't have time to brief. Also there was another full-time intern who was starting on Wednesday (she got a desk AND work to do) so I guess they were pretty swamped, but it wasn't the msot encouraging of welcomes. They gave me about 300 pages of filler reading to do each day, and when I was done they sent me home. I was home by 2 pm both days.
The lack of enthusiasm was a bit disconcerting, but I do love the organization and find their work extremely interesting, so I will give it some time.
Tuesday and Wednesday were basically internship days, and Thursday was filled with class and mega test studying. I went to Trent's house to cook dinner and study with him, Ben, and Rinske after class, and we were there until eleven.
The day of the test, I thought it was an hour earlier than it actually was so I got there at 9:30, but whatever cause it was an extra hour of studying. And for a 50 question multiple choice, the test was extremely hard- I'm a little nervous about the results. Jerry said he'd curve, but since I'm pretty sure Trent got a hundred, there goes the curve! haha.
After the test we went to Leuven (after me and Rinske had a lunch of leftover plain pasta with lemon juice- we paid two euros to cook dinner Thursday night and got a lunch out of it too!) which was very nice, but probably my least favorite of the places we've gone. It just really didn't have much to offer besides a delicious kebab place with a dirt-cheap student menu. The town is a college town and has been for hundreds of years, so it was definiftely interesting, but compared to Bruges and Antwerp didn't really offer much.
After Leuven some people were talking about going out, but I decided that me almost falling asleep in the metro was a sign that I should go home.
I was so excited to get nine hours of sleep!!
Monday, February 2, 2009
"Barcelona no es Espana!!!"
Even though I have not recuperated all of my energy, I hope that I have enough brain power to write a post that makes sense. I highly doubt it.
BARCELONAA!!!!!!
What an amazing place- and what a great time! I had never specifically planned on going to Barcelona while here, since I've obviously been to Spain and I wanted to visit more new countries, but I am so glad that I did! Everything was wonderful and so much fun, and I enjoyed being able to fully converse in the main language! (Except when people used Catalan)
Our plane left at 9pm, and after a bumpy Ryanair ride, an hour and a half bus ride, and getting lost while looking for our hostel, we finally got to our room. It was tiny- smaller than Leonard 424 and with twice the amount of people- but we had our own bathroom, got free breakfast, and everything was clean and new! Also we only paid 14 euros a night per person for it. When we got to the room it was very late and we were exhausted, so we just went to bed.
The next morning we got up early in order to see the sights. We walked from our hostel to the Sagrada Familia which was awesome, and all of the girls bought amazing scarves at discounted prices because of my AMAZING haggling skills. (hahahah, I need to learn to haggle better, I'm sure I didn't milk enough out of him) After that we walked from the Sagrada Familia to the Barrio Gotico, which was a significatly long walk, but it was awesome because we basically took a walking tour of that part of the city. We saw the Arc de Triumf and took amazing pictures (this is also where my camera decided to die on me, and for that sad fact I only have about 20 pictures of this trip- thank god for Katie's obsessive picture taking!) and then we walked to the park where we saw a couple taking their wedding photos, the most badass dog just chilling in an amazing sweater, and some guys doing crazy fake-fighting dancing in a gazebo. We also took pictures by the fountain and on a statue of an elephant.
After that we went to the Picasso Museum (I loved his take on Las Meninas) and then the ticket lady recommended this bar/restaurante that was close by for the "gringo"s first tapas! It was a huge hit and the guy was very nice- he made a sampling for us, and it turned out to be relatively cheap. After that, we went back to take a SIESTA!! and then we got ready to check out the area around Las Ramblas, where Maria Aurora gave me some places to check out, but only after having "platos combinados" and most of us trying "lomo" at a non-tourist restaurant that was awesome.
In true tourist fashion, however, we didn't know how to get to those places, and while asking the most amazingly beautiful and nice guy for directions he gave us the name of a cheap bar around the corner, which we went to and met the most ridiculous people, including a girl named Noche, a guy named Victor who told Shiza all about hoe Catalunia isn't part of Spain and how it should be independent, and a guy who may or may not have been named Xavier who hit on Ben and told us that hitting on guys was "how he picked up girls". Weird strategy, especially since it most definitely wasn't working. Hmmm.
The next morning we decided to go to Montjuic, where we took a cable car (I think that's what it's called) up to the top of the mountain and spent a while touring the castle that was up there. The castle was beautiful, and what was amazing was that after being used for fusilamientos (shotting squads) and warfare for centuries, it is now being turned into a center for peace. Deep!
After the mountain we went to eat lunch in a tourist restaurant where we ordered the "menu del dia" or fixed menu and then we walked around a bit. This, however, was when it started to rain- which ruined all of or plans about going to see the Cathedral and the Gaudi park. Instead we did a bit of shopping and then went to a cafe to sit down- after that I bought an AMAZING coat for 12 Euros and put it on immediately because I was soaked, and then tired of the rain we ducked into the first palce we saw in order to try the sangria. The place was very nice, but obviously for an older crowd so after a glass we went back out to face the rain.
We then found another tapas bar where they count the tapas by toothpicks and so we tried their delicious food, and then we walked to the beach (still in the rain). We passed by a camera crew that was shooting an action film and although there was no Johnny Depp or other amazing actor, it was still cool.
When we got to the beach me and Katie went for a swim (still raining!) for about ten seconds and then we decided to go back to where our things were kept at the hostel and change. We changed and then hung around the hostel hangout area until it was time for us to catch our bus- we waited for another hour at the bus station where an epic game of "Would You Rather" was played, and then we took a bus-plane-bus-train-metro home, where I talked to my host family and then took a shower and PASSED OUT.
It was an amazing weekend, and as this week I have classes/my first day at my internship/our first exam/ Leuven/Antwerp/Ghent, I think this week is gonna shape up to be extremely busy as well. BUT I LOVE IT!
Besitos!
BARCELONAA!!!!!!
What an amazing place- and what a great time! I had never specifically planned on going to Barcelona while here, since I've obviously been to Spain and I wanted to visit more new countries, but I am so glad that I did! Everything was wonderful and so much fun, and I enjoyed being able to fully converse in the main language! (Except when people used Catalan)
Our plane left at 9pm, and after a bumpy Ryanair ride, an hour and a half bus ride, and getting lost while looking for our hostel, we finally got to our room. It was tiny- smaller than Leonard 424 and with twice the amount of people- but we had our own bathroom, got free breakfast, and everything was clean and new! Also we only paid 14 euros a night per person for it. When we got to the room it was very late and we were exhausted, so we just went to bed.
The next morning we got up early in order to see the sights. We walked from our hostel to the Sagrada Familia which was awesome, and all of the girls bought amazing scarves at discounted prices because of my AMAZING haggling skills. (hahahah, I need to learn to haggle better, I'm sure I didn't milk enough out of him) After that we walked from the Sagrada Familia to the Barrio Gotico, which was a significatly long walk, but it was awesome because we basically took a walking tour of that part of the city. We saw the Arc de Triumf and took amazing pictures (this is also where my camera decided to die on me, and for that sad fact I only have about 20 pictures of this trip- thank god for Katie's obsessive picture taking!) and then we walked to the park where we saw a couple taking their wedding photos, the most badass dog just chilling in an amazing sweater, and some guys doing crazy fake-fighting dancing in a gazebo. We also took pictures by the fountain and on a statue of an elephant.
After that we went to the Picasso Museum (I loved his take on Las Meninas) and then the ticket lady recommended this bar/restaurante that was close by for the "gringo"s first tapas! It was a huge hit and the guy was very nice- he made a sampling for us, and it turned out to be relatively cheap. After that, we went back to take a SIESTA!! and then we got ready to check out the area around Las Ramblas, where Maria Aurora gave me some places to check out, but only after having "platos combinados" and most of us trying "lomo" at a non-tourist restaurant that was awesome.
In true tourist fashion, however, we didn't know how to get to those places, and while asking the most amazingly beautiful and nice guy for directions he gave us the name of a cheap bar around the corner, which we went to and met the most ridiculous people, including a girl named Noche, a guy named Victor who told Shiza all about hoe Catalunia isn't part of Spain and how it should be independent, and a guy who may or may not have been named Xavier who hit on Ben and told us that hitting on guys was "how he picked up girls". Weird strategy, especially since it most definitely wasn't working. Hmmm.
The next morning we decided to go to Montjuic, where we took a cable car (I think that's what it's called) up to the top of the mountain and spent a while touring the castle that was up there. The castle was beautiful, and what was amazing was that after being used for fusilamientos (shotting squads) and warfare for centuries, it is now being turned into a center for peace. Deep!
After the mountain we went to eat lunch in a tourist restaurant where we ordered the "menu del dia" or fixed menu and then we walked around a bit. This, however, was when it started to rain- which ruined all of or plans about going to see the Cathedral and the Gaudi park. Instead we did a bit of shopping and then went to a cafe to sit down- after that I bought an AMAZING coat for 12 Euros and put it on immediately because I was soaked, and then tired of the rain we ducked into the first palce we saw in order to try the sangria. The place was very nice, but obviously for an older crowd so after a glass we went back out to face the rain.
We then found another tapas bar where they count the tapas by toothpicks and so we tried their delicious food, and then we walked to the beach (still in the rain). We passed by a camera crew that was shooting an action film and although there was no Johnny Depp or other amazing actor, it was still cool.
When we got to the beach me and Katie went for a swim (still raining!) for about ten seconds and then we decided to go back to where our things were kept at the hostel and change. We changed and then hung around the hostel hangout area until it was time for us to catch our bus- we waited for another hour at the bus station where an epic game of "Would You Rather" was played, and then we took a bus-plane-bus-train-metro home, where I talked to my host family and then took a shower and PASSED OUT.
It was an amazing weekend, and as this week I have classes/my first day at my internship/our first exam/ Leuven/Antwerp/Ghent, I think this week is gonna shape up to be extremely busy as well. BUT I LOVE IT!
Besitos!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Internship Mania!
So I just recently got back from BARCELONA, which was amazing, but as I'm a week behind on my blogs I'm gonna start from where I left off after Bruges.
Sunday was basically a do nothing day, which was fine with me because after Bruges and then going out I was pretty tired. My homestay family cooked me yet another delicious dinner, which was extremely nice because they're not obligated to cook for me on Sundays, but they did. Awesome!
On Monday I went to my first interview at the International Rescue Committee, which lasted less than ten minutes and therefore had me pretty nervous. Then I had a few classes and we went to our French class, where they put me in beginner? Everyone else in the class hasn't taken a day of French, and although I think it will be really cool to be able to see how a language is taught at the beginning, I think I may ask to be switched to intermediate because I do want to learn a bit of the language.
Tuesday I had an interview with a Member of the European Parliament, Peter Skinner, who was extremely personable and seemed like a good guy to work for. After that I interviewed with ICE VISTA, a new organization that has two full-time employees working in their house but seemed pretty cool. After that I went back to Parliament to interview with Peter Stasny, a former player on the Jersey Devils! what what! But also as it turns out also extremely conservative and against the protection of baby seals. Then we had our first security class with Jamie Shea, who works at NATO and seems extremely cool.
Wednesday I interviewed with European Link, where you get to go into the Parliament and take notes on the committee meetings. The place looked pretty awesome, but the guy asked really forceful questions and looked like he would be hard to work with.
Then we went to go see the Compleat Works of William Shakespeare for Rinske's birthday- it was pretty hilarious and the theater was pretty and tiny.
On Thursday I actually found out what internship I got- it was the IRC!! I was so happy because that's the one I really wanted and the one that I am msot interested in. I'm not sure that I was their first choice because the way that Catherine (our internship coordinator) phrased it made it seem like she pushed me on them- but whatevs, at least I have the opportunity to show them what I've got!
The other great thing about the IRC is they have offices in DC and New York, so if I like them and they like me I may have a connection to a job in the US! Yay!
After a day of classes and finding out our internships, Christina, Shiza, Katie, Ben, Trent and I started off on our journey to Barcelona! It was amazing and I will describe it in detail on this blog, but I am so tired now that I don't think I can do it justice.
So I will end here- sorry if this post isn't enitrely "up to par"- I will only be able to think straight again when I get some quality sleeping time.
I love you all!
~Lucia
Sunday was basically a do nothing day, which was fine with me because after Bruges and then going out I was pretty tired. My homestay family cooked me yet another delicious dinner, which was extremely nice because they're not obligated to cook for me on Sundays, but they did. Awesome!
On Monday I went to my first interview at the International Rescue Committee, which lasted less than ten minutes and therefore had me pretty nervous. Then I had a few classes and we went to our French class, where they put me in beginner? Everyone else in the class hasn't taken a day of French, and although I think it will be really cool to be able to see how a language is taught at the beginning, I think I may ask to be switched to intermediate because I do want to learn a bit of the language.
Tuesday I had an interview with a Member of the European Parliament, Peter Skinner, who was extremely personable and seemed like a good guy to work for. After that I interviewed with ICE VISTA, a new organization that has two full-time employees working in their house but seemed pretty cool. After that I went back to Parliament to interview with Peter Stasny, a former player on the Jersey Devils! what what! But also as it turns out also extremely conservative and against the protection of baby seals. Then we had our first security class with Jamie Shea, who works at NATO and seems extremely cool.
Wednesday I interviewed with European Link, where you get to go into the Parliament and take notes on the committee meetings. The place looked pretty awesome, but the guy asked really forceful questions and looked like he would be hard to work with.
Then we went to go see the Compleat Works of William Shakespeare for Rinske's birthday- it was pretty hilarious and the theater was pretty and tiny.
On Thursday I actually found out what internship I got- it was the IRC!! I was so happy because that's the one I really wanted and the one that I am msot interested in. I'm not sure that I was their first choice because the way that Catherine (our internship coordinator) phrased it made it seem like she pushed me on them- but whatevs, at least I have the opportunity to show them what I've got!
The other great thing about the IRC is they have offices in DC and New York, so if I like them and they like me I may have a connection to a job in the US! Yay!
After a day of classes and finding out our internships, Christina, Shiza, Katie, Ben, Trent and I started off on our journey to Barcelona! It was amazing and I will describe it in detail on this blog, but I am so tired now that I don't think I can do it justice.
So I will end here- sorry if this post isn't enitrely "up to par"- I will only be able to think straight again when I get some quality sleeping time.
I love you all!
~Lucia
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