Maastricht.

I went to Maastricht (Mah-streekt) this past Saturday and it was such a beautiful city. It's the first city that was built in Holland, so there was tons of history. People say it's like a "Little Paris" and it definitely is. It was only 26 euro round trip, and we got there around 10am and left around 9:30pm. We rented bikes around 4pm, but wished we would have rented them earlier in the day. It really is the best way to get around. It's faster than walking and we just turned down random streets and found some really cool things. By about 8pm we were all starving, and we found this delicious place to eat. We had this gigantic feast, all for less than 20 euro a person. I had the best salad that I've had in my entire life. One of my friends got a smoked salmon, almost cream cheese like sauce w/pasta. We were all soooo full afterwards and we decided that we're definitely going to give up going out once or twice a month and eat somewhere that is really nice.

There were so many churches in Maastricht, and we went in an especially beautiful one that was GIANT. You weren't supposed to take pictures, but I did. I didn't really realize it until we left and I saw the sign. It was also kind of creepy because the church was just so huge and silent. We sat down for a while and just looked at all the stained glass, and detail in the artwork.

All in all, Maastricht was a blast and we saw some really weird/cool things. On the way back there was a boy on the train that had the worst hair I've ever seen. Most Dutch people always use too much hair gel, but this was extreme. I got a picture of it. Don't worry.

I have this whole week off, and I'm really excited because on Friday my friend and I are going to a VICE Magazine party. We got FREE tickets. We go to anything that is free. VICE Magazine is known for being quirky/weird so I have to find something to wear. I tried to find something cool today but didn't really find much. I did just wander around, and managed to get lost, but then had the best piece of Banana Bread that I've had in my entire life. I chose to turn right down a small alley way, and ended up right back where I needed to be to catch the trem. It was fantastic. I think that I'm going to do the same thing tomorrow. I don't really have anything specific to do, I just go and spend money that I probably don't need to spend.

These past few days I have been dying, and now I feel better, but sound like I'm dying. I don't have a voice really anymore. Our neighbor from home was here for work again, and my mother sent a package full of drugs and hand sanitizer. I don't think that I've been that happy in a while. It was amazing.

LOOK AT HIS HAIR. OH MY GOD.

Feast.

These were French boy scouts. This was the funniest thing I've ever seen.

These are the first city walls.

This grave stone was so old, you couldn't even read the date.

A Small Bed Never Felt So Great at 9AM.

So, the other day my friend and I, Melanie found these houses near Leidseplein area that represent the architecture of seven different countries, but there was only actually 6(??). It was really cool, but honestly, looked kind of out of place and weird because they were "new" buildings, on a street with old buildings. I guess it's not something you see every day that's why it's cool. Before seeing the houses we had met up with another au pair, Tanya (who's from Australia, and is a blast) and went to the Rijksmuseum. I'm not a huge museum/art person but I found it interesting. You cannot have phones or cameras out, security will literally tackle you. It's strange. I guess because the "Nightwatch" painting was sliced a long time ago, and ever since then they've been anal about security, because you never know who has a knife in their phone OR camera.

I'm missing lots of small things right now. I'm having my mother send me a special type of chapstick that you cant buy here, my curling iron, dental floss, dental threaders, GUM, hand sanitizer, and crest white strips. So sad, I know.

I'm going to Maastrict this Saturday. It looks to be a beautiful city, so I'm sure that there will be some pictures to follow. We're departing at 7am on Saturday, and then catching the last train at midnight. This past weekend I went out, and didn't get home until 9am. Due to wrong information on the official GVB website. My friend and I took at nap at 5:00am in Central Station because it was freezing, then thought the trems (trams) came at 6:00am. Nope, mine definitely came at 7:34am. I was dying, basically. It was freezing. While we were waiting we saw the weirdest people, but then there are totally normal people like us waiting to catch their trem home because they've stayed out all night too. Usually I go home earlier than 6am, but we thought we'd stay out because there were a couple special events going on at a club. My Mother is probably freaking out right now. But don't worry Mum, it's safe. I promise.

England

Nederland

Italy

Russia

Spain

Germany

Well, duh.

Ik ben Laura. Ik komt uit Canada. Ik woon nu in Nederlands.

The window washers came again. Yep, the other day I was doing some e-mail, and who shows up at the window? The same man with missing teeth, chains, and baggy jeans. Charming. I'm sure that I didn't look so awesome either as I just rolled out of bed. But at least I have teeth. This time I was semi-ready because I heard them in the front so I put down the blinds, but you could still see through. Not much has happened since I last updated. Which was 948393 days ago. Sorry.

I've just been doing random stuff, and I have officially started Dutch classes. They are a mess. I entered into a class that had already been in session, so I missed two classes. I walked in and told the teacher my name and started to tell him that I forgot my sheet in the mail that confirms that I'm in his class. He cut me off halfway and said "NO ENGLISH! NO ENGLISH!" Oh wait, okay, let me tell you IN DUTCH how I forgot my confirmation slip at home. Sure. Dutch is the weirdest language you'll ever some across. Half of the words sound like you're trying to cough, and I'm pretty sure if you went up to someone that didn't know Dutch they would pat you on the back thinking you were choking on something. I'm not even exaggerating. There is the "g" sound which sounds mostly like you have Swine Flu and you're trying to clear your throat. G is a common letter in dutch, therefore, in at least every sentence you sound like you're dying. It's just odd. the letter "W" is actually a "V". When I look at a word that starts with a "W" it shouldn't sound like a "V." There are too many cases where two letters make the sound of another letter that doesn't really seem logical. Oh, Dutch people. That seems to be a common saying.

I got a Snuggie in the mail from my friend Abi. It's kind of growing on me. I told her I would barf if I got one because they are so ridiculous, but I've found that it's warm and you can literally do anything with a Snuggie. It's a blanket with sleeves! It's also Leopard print which makes it totally fashionable. I might even wear it biking. Or not. It's not that cute. But it does make a nice blanket. It's already gotten so cold here and it's only October. The weather is rain, rain, and more rain. I love the rain, and I'm not a huge fan of Summer, but I have now found that I don't like riding my bike into the rain and wind so, never thought I'd say this but, I LOVE SUMMER. And, it gives me a little bit of color, instead of being the color of Casper. Scary.

I have a cold now, but I definitely brought this one on. Last weekend my friends and I were in Leidseplein having some drinks and huge trailer pulled up and the back opened and Techno music started blaring. So, naturally, we walked over. It soon turned into a rave. It started pouring. I was soaked within 5 minutes. I mean SOAKED, no umbrella could save me. Everyone was raving in the rain, so we stayed for about 30 minutes or so, then I had a swim meet the next day so I went home. I didn't dry out and it was cold as ever on the bike ride home. So, I woke up not feeling so well the next morning.

I participated in my first dutch swim meet this last weekend too! It was interesting. It was only about 3 hours long, which is short to me. At home they would be ALL DAY which I think is too long. It was just the right amount of time. I only swam 100m in a relay. I did enjoy talking some kids on my team inbetween events. Everyone is very nice. A girl in my lane that often translates for me, I found out works at Jamie Olivers restaurant "Fifteen" in Amsterdam, so I'm definitely going because the menu looks DELISH.

Here are some pictures from Museiumplein/Rave in the rain/Good cheap pizza.

Enjoy.

Good cheap pizza. 5€.

We are soaked. I'm pictured in the red coat, and that is Melanie (whom is also Canadian) in the back. As you can see, we are drenched.