First Day on the Ground

Updated Nov. 20 to delete two links that went nowhere

I spent today out and about in the city and its surrounding areas. I had a meetup to get to around 5pm this evening, and left the apartment with ample time, as my plan was to walk from here to there and see the sights. I don't yet have a bike - a task for this weekend - and hadn't yet figured out the incredibly straight-forward transit system. I was antsy to go for a walk, and the map estimated 1hr 45min to get to where I was going by foot, and only 50min by transit. Considering I'd wanted to see some of the city anyhow, I decided to hoof it, and travel the almost 5 miles through the outskirts and directly through the center of Amsterdam.

The walk was absolutely lovely. The lushness of the greenery, the temps hovering in the 60s, the overcast sky, and the infrastructure to just walk from here to there made it a relaxing and pleasant adventure. Are my legs and ankles screaming from so much work after no such activity in...well, months? Yes. Do I regret choosing legs over wheels and tracks? Not at all.

It did indeed take me just under two ours to reach my destination, but I passed through less populated areas, through two markets, past several museums and bookstores, through to the center of Amsterdam, and stopped for a coffee partway through my day. By the time I reached the meetup, though, I was indeed exhausted and ready for some food - thankfully, the meetup being a group of queer folk coming together, there was plenty to be had.

After a few hours hanging with people that made me feel incredibly welcome and not alone, I made my way back to the apartment, this time by tram and then bus. The system, as I mentioned earlier, is incredibly user-friendly, and only requires a tap in with a card or phone payment, and a tap out at your destination. In the coming days I'll figure out which dedicated travel card makes the most sense for me. There are some options for students and folks travelling primarily outside of the busiest hours - one of those will likely help me save some money.

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This weekend is SAIL - a massive coming together of boat enthusiasts. There are historical recreations, free boat rides, huge military ships to gawk at, etc. If it's boat related, it's probably happening now. I'm tempted to make my way to the coast and check it out, though it is, as my husband put it, one of the busiest weekends for Amsterdam - and I'm still very new to the city. According to the folks at today's gathering, this is also the first time in ten years SAIL has happened: it's normally once every five years, but five years ago was the height of COVID, and so it was cancelled. Shall I brave the crowds this weekend? We'll see...

What I WILL be doing as soon as possible is renting a bicycle and getting a SIM card for my phone. Also it seems I will very much be dragged back to meta apps, or at least into WhatsApp, because the sheer number of businesses and official channels that use it here is astonishing. Without it, and even with a regular Dutch number, I'm at a disadvantage. I was given some helpful advice on bike rentals here, and have some ideas on which SIMs to check out. Again, there are many student specific discounts. But finding one that also provides discounts for students under 30 has proven harder than anticipated. Oh, to be young again...(I would actually hate that a lot, lol. I'll take the 30+ fees instead).

On Monday I go in to get my fingerprints taken so I can get my Dutch identification number and my formal residence permit. On Tuesday, orientation begins, and my schedule will be primarily taken over by the university - though this first few days is all fun and exploration centered, so I could ditch if I really wanted. Except I did pay money to participate, so it might be wise to do so.

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And so, I wind down my first day running around feeling happy and thankful for the community who welcomed me, and a little more hopeful than I was around midnight last night, when I woke with such a keen homesickness it kept me up, restless and feeling despair. I told myself to wait until the sun rose, and to see what today had to offer - good advice, as it turns out.

I miss my husband and my cats, and the familiar sights, smells, and sounds of my home. The comforting patterns I had developed, and the ability to see my friends and family members whenever I decided to drive their way. I miss the confidence of who I was in both place and time, and the growing community I had in the States.

But there is fledgling community growth here. And habits I've already begun to form, I'm sure. New sights and sounds and smells to become like home, and a future here with my family. I'm sure last night won't be the only homesickness I feel, and I'm certain the tasks before me will rise again to seem overwhelming. But I keep reminding myself of how I felt when I began this journey; why I've followed the path that's lead me here. I was gifted with cards upon my departure, signed by loved ones and friends, and I kept them until this morning, when the remnants of sadness hadn't quite shaken off. I read them for the first time, and cried a little at the sentiments from my community, and set them out on my desk to read again, whenever I need a bolster of courage or reminder I am not alone - not really.

Best to all of you reading this, and thank you again for visiting. I'll see you here again soon.

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If you'd like to buy me a ko-fi, check out this link: https://ko-fi.com/woodsyl