Byzantium!

Just to remind, as I've written on my "description" now:

"I'm sorry for inundating you with updates, but ultimately, this blog is really for me, and I'd like to keep track of each day. Next summer I might have fun reading this, and perusing over my little daily adventures. So I know the updates get tiresome, but for me they're meaningful."

So, just starting with that.


Here are some things that have happened recently:

When I went to Dappermarkt with my friend, I forgot to mention that, as we were riding away back toward my building, a whole group of people standing on a bridge (brug) corner started yelling excitedly at us and came forward with all sorts of things and were speaking Dutch to us.  There was a lot of red.  I asked them what was going on, and they were giving us free things because we were riding bikes!  They're part of a sustainability movement, trying to encourage biking instead of driving, and so I now have: a nice red ribbon with bikes and hearts, &c. tied on my handle bars, from the nice people :) (also the ribbon I used to keep my front light on), as well as a water bottle (with water, o'course), and a little booklet!  They were really nice and I was really excited.  I like getting presents, especially for being eco-friendly.

Speaking of which: PRESENTS FROM MY MOMMY!  I've received two present-packages since being here :)  One was in my very first week, from the dearest loveliest Laura H., who sent me a gorgeous purple crocheted scarf that I've been wearing ever since, and a delightful letter that made me miss her a lot.  Then my mommy sent me a package--because I don't have an oven here!  It was filled with vegan oatmeal cookies (OMG SOOO GOOOD) and I shared them with friends in class and in my hall.  I also have now, veggie recipes from her, an *amazing* old-fashioned letter from her (with old Regency British syntax and gold sealing wax), and a letter that made me want to cry from Sarah C. because I love her so!  Ahhhhh I love getting things.  I'm a greedy person.  Packages and letters are good.  I love the people sending them, too :)  xoxoxoxoxo, lots.

Also, something I've learned about grocery stores here: they sell everything in smaller quantities/amounts because you have to be able to fit it in your backpack or bike sacks when you're riding home.  I mean, true, some people (lots of people) have cars, but like...most just bike.

Yesterday (dinsdag) I hit a pedestrian for the first time on my bike.  He just started moving into my lane as if it wasn't a bike path, and I didn't use my bell because I thought, he can't really be that stupid.  So then I hit him with my bike.  I didn't really hit him, hit him.  I just swiped his hand with my handle bars.  I'm sure it hurt.  I guess I should feel bad about it, but I don't.  I even yelled, "Hey!" and he apologised to me as I rode away.  I hope I didn't injure him.  Anyway, I learned that hitting a person with a bike isn't the same as hitting them with a car.  I was able to just ride away.


I'm still a nice person, inside?









By the way: the reason for the title?  I just thought it would draw attention.