I'm leaving for Paris on the 17th of this month, to visit my aunt. It was kind of short notice, as I had time off and my aunt offered to buy me a ticket. So, essentially it being 'free' for me to go, kind of made the decision for me. I'm really excited, I haven't seen her or my cousins for a while now, and now that I'm over here in Holland I'll probably see them often, which is nice. It's really awesome that she booked me a ticket on her her points, because on short notice plane and train tickets were fairly expensive. I'm also going to meet an Australian girl that is staying with them while I'm there. She's an exchange student for a couple weeks there, so I think that it will be fun. I've only been to Paris once, and I didn't really do any of the "touristy" stuff, because unfortunately my cousin was sick in the hospital. But I knew that I would have the chance to go back someday, so it wasn't really an issue. I'll be seeing Tour Eiffel for the first time, and all the other obligatory places. Yayyyy. So excited. Oh, and I'll also apparently have a cab waiting for me, with a sign with my face and name on it. My life sucks, right?
I started swimming last night. It was really fun, I'm really glad that I'm joining. Everyone was very nice, and a few of the girls in my lanes were awesome about telling me what the sets were. It's VERY relaxed here. Practice is only an hour long, and the sets aren't even that hard. It's a good workout though because there really isn't much rest. I am apparently being signed up to swim in my first meet on October 4th, so we'll see how that goes. The meets are weird here. I was explained that they are only about 2 and a 1/2 hours long. And, only two events. Everyone swims the same one. This one I believe is a relay, and 100 meter breaststroke..so we'll see. There is just one weird part. Everyone showers and changes together (like, coed I mean)...? The change rooms look like jail cells. Seriously. You walk in and there are pink & blue lockers "separating" the girls and boys. And you have to lock down a bench to secure the "door" that is see-through. It's very odd. Once you lock it, there is another room surrounded by walls so when you're actually changing it's separated into girls and boys. But, the showers are all unisex, and it's like one big group shower and changing room. I guess I'll get used to it. But uhhh, okay.
Apparently the first Monday of every month at 12:00 pm a "town alarm" goes off. This was kind of like the window washers..how I found out they come AFTER the dude with chains was standing at my window with a ladder. I heard this "alarm", really it sounded like carnival ride starting up. It was weird. I had noooo idea what this was, so I went outside. Only, no one else was outside. I was starting to imagine if I was the only one hearing this. People we're still going about their business like nothing was happening. Umm, HELLO is there a giant carnival in town that I didn't know was coming? It finally stopped. When Marja got home I asked her about it, and it's basically the same thing as the tsunami warnings in Hawaii. Except here it's obviously not for tsunami's. I really have no idea what it is for. What could you possibly need a giant alarm for? This town is surrounded by farms. Which REALLY stinks in the morning. I love waking up to the smell of manure. It's actually really awesome rolling out of bed, and feeling like you want to vomit. It's very strong. Something like a cow is actually in your house, or came by to drop off a goodie for you. I've kind of gotten used to it by now, but it's bad when it's windy.
I have also grown a giant love/HATE relationship with the wind. For many reasons.
I love the wind because:
a.) When you're biking with the wind, you don't have to pedal much.
I hate the wind because:
a.) When you're biking against the wind, it's pure hell.
b.) It makes the 'manure smell' come in wafts. Unpleasant.
c.) When you're riding your bike and maintenance is being done, aka cutting grass, it blows into your eyes. Sunglasses don't help. Same goes with street cleaners for the bike paths (?) Yeah, I also questioned that. You have no choice but to pass them, and you get a giant gust of exhaust/dirt/stench/whatever was on the ground in your face.
d.) It can be cold.
I think that it's safe to say that I HATE THE WIND.
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