Before I could begin my language school, I needed to get all the supplies. Of cause I got the texts, backpack, notepad etc… But, for Holland, you will notice a theme in the preparations….as a hint, this can occur every day in Holland that has a “Y” in it. Yup, you got it, Rain…and the other Dutch obsession , bikes:
My supplies included:
1. Light but very waterproof rain coat
2. “Vouw Parapalu” – small, back-pack size folding umbrella
3. Water proof shoes
4. “Maandkaart” – a photo ID month long train pass….
I have to take 3 trains for a total of about 50 minutes to get to the school.
5. “Strippenkaart” – NO, this is not a card to be an exotic dancer…its a bus card with multiple lines for stamps….more stamps for more distance…
From the station, when its raining, I take a bus to the campus.
6. “Vouw Fiets” ….folding bicycle
This takes a little explanation on Dutch character and love of 2 things: bicycles and a good bargain. There are more bikes per person in Holland than in any other country. Everyone has a day transport, usually an sport, and if you take the train, than a “folding bike”. You have to pay for a second train ticked for a regular bike, and haul it up/down train station stairs. A folding bike can fold in half to be a large suitcase, and therefore is not charged extra. There are very ingenious types…wheeled carry cases, fold at the touch of a button, 10 gears for the sporty types
If the weather is good, I bike from the train station to school, and if I want from the main train station to my house. Otherwise, the train to my suburb only runs once each half hour, and of course, I usually just miss it by 5 minutes and have to wait 25, never the other way around.
Well, in the next exciting chapter, I’ll describe the class, irreverent teacher and fellow students.
No comments:
Post a Comment