June 28, 2009
It seemed like a day ago I
was celebrating my birthday in Zurich, and now we have since travelled
through Germany and moved on to our second city in the Netherlands. It
was a three hour bus ride from Rotterdam to Groningen, the biking
capital of the world I believe...at least of Europe for sure.
Either
way, it is crazy the number of bikes there are in this city. Groningen
is an interesting city, with about 150,000 people (tiny in comparison
to the enormous manufacturing port of Rotterdam). Despite the fact
that you almost get levelled by bikes everytime you attempt to cross
the road, the city is thriving as a University town. Full of young
people and things to do and see (all in a walkable distance), it
is definitely a fun place to be. It definitely has its issues (being
around sea level) as well as some other water management issues, but
the city seems to be doing something right with its transportation
system.
The stress seems to be a little higher in the group these
last few days as the impending date of our final exam and due date for
our field note books is looming. There are quite a few people who are
sick with some sort of cold as well, but we are all making due and
tugging through to the last city: Amsterdam!
We have another
day in Groningen, where I plan to go to a cultural museum and do a bit
of shopping (as everything is closed on a Sunday). Since we only have
one more location left this will likely be my last entry.
I
have learned a lot about the culture and initiatives of these regions,
and I have also learned a lot about myself and the dynamics of group
travel. Being a person who usually stays to herself, it was an
exciting experience to literally be forced to be around a large group
for quite a long period of time. I met so many individuals I normally
wouldn't have at home and have loved getting to know them. Now the
trick is to stay in touch with all those UBC students who will head
back to Vancouver after the trip is done.
I will be
enjoying another week of leisure and touring in and around Amsterdam
after the program is over, and I am hoping to come home to hot weather
in Calgary afterwards!