In Amsterdam!

I made it!!!

I didn't quite know what to expect - I didn't google any photos of Amsterdam, so I really was unsure of what to expect! But the city is much smaller than NY or any other main US city...it doesn't really have too many high rise buildings, like I thought I might see. It has a center part of the city where there are a lot of canals and boats and historical buildings, statues and lots and lots of bikes. I have almost been hit by a couple bikers a few times - and I've only been here one day! Yesterday we tried to stay up all day long to get ourselves on the same schedule. I was up for about 30 hours without sleep - except even in public locations I fell asleep. Mid-restaraunt I was passed out. They woke me up like 4 or so different times throughout the day. Once on the couch, once in public, once at the dinner table...ha...I finally got to go to sleep around 9pm and didn't wake up till 7am. I slept really well, and already am looking forward to sleeping again tonight. I have been up alone for 3 hours now...finally my roommate Liz woke up. I am staying at our director's house, Laurence. Mike is staying in his room, Liz and I are in the other room, and the other guys, John and Nick are in an apartment 25 minutes from here - they will be taking the train to get to and from our place each day.

Lots of tall people here - makes me feel short - and those of you who know me know that I am not a short girl! The Dutch are known for their height - I heard from a delightful person (shout out to Nate!) that the Dutch, on average, have the tallest male/female height averages in the world. I fit in well here! I have been talked to in Dutch a lot so far - on the bus, at stores, etc because they think I am Dutch. I have no clue what they're saying so I just smile and give a giggle...mwahahaha. Fooling people left and right! ; )

They have an H&M which I plan on shopping at at some point, and lots of other stores in the central part of town. There are parks. I smelled weed a lot while walking around and did see the infamous "coffee shops". It really wasn't much different though than any other city. But just smelling weed frequently you could tell it was different. But it is a safe city and people seem really friendly. Lots of tourists.

There are no tulips - it is out of season. I am bummed about that.

Here are some photos of Laurence's place, where I'm staying.



This is the entryway, foyer area.



This is the kitchen.



The bathroom.



Laurence's office.



The bedroom where Liz and I sleep - it has orange walls! The shades are pulled down cause Liz was still sleeping when I took this photo - her bed is on the other side of this picture.



This is the dining room which is connected to the living room. There is a piano in here and Mike is a master at jazz piano - it was been amazing to sit and here him just bust out something I wish I had on my ipod ; )



Here is the living room with big red couches and long white curtains covering large windows that let in a lot of light. Its really great!



Outside the living room windows is a balcony with a table and chairs - this is where I spent my morning reading...it is so nice and overlooks part of the neighborhood area of Amsterdam.



The view from the balcony.



Another angle from the balcony.

That should give you an idea of where I'll be in the evenings when we get back from our days. This week we have a few things scheduled. Today we are sight-seeing because Laurence is working as a dentist at his other job. Then tonight we'll have dinner with him. Friday I know they're taking us sailing (WHAT?!?! I have never been sailing - I can't wait...how awesome is that!) and Saturday we have our first training on post-modernism. I can't wait for that either. That's about all I know so far. ; )

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Is. 40:8

So far its been neat to hear Laurence talk because I HAVE seen how convictions here are similar to the convictions we have in the states. He said that most Christians here do not smoke weed - I had wondered about their conviction on that since it is legal here, but they don't because they don't want to be under control of something other than the Spirit. That was encouraging to hear. It is neat to see how God's word will stand forever, here as well as in the US. It is the same Spirit in all of us!