Things I Love About The Netherlands (So Far)

Mysterious tower by the canal near my house. No idea what it is but it’s quite pretty.

I was going to write an intelligent post with more musings about religious exemptions and the First Amendment today, but then Dutch class was really hard and conjugating irregular verbs blew all political thoughts out of my head. So instead, here’s a list of some things I like so far about life in the Netherlands, three weeks in:

1. Stained glass everywhere

The front of the main building of my university has several massive stained glass windows, which they light up at night; the grand staircase at the back of the building is also lined with stained glass, showing (I think) various illustrious academics in medieval-looking robes. But grand old buildings aren’t the only ones in Groningen with lovely colorful glass – most of the old houses have pretty designs above the doors and windows, including the house I live in. I get distracted looking at them on the bike ride to school!

2. Lovely bell music

There are (I think) two main bell towers in town – the Martinitoren, and the Academy Building bell tower. Last week, for the anniversary of the end of World War II, they played music for almost an hour in the evening, but I am starting to think that they don’t need an occasion to play. This morning in class bell music drifted through the open window for more than a half hour, and even the bells that ring the hour play a little tune rather than just telling the time.

3. American crime dramas with Dutch subtitles

A couple of my favorite American shows are in reruns here, and they play with subtitles. I get to feel like I’m practicing Dutch and learn some new words, but it’s also hilarious to see how New York cop jargon is translated. (A lot of the puns and melodrama gets taken out, unfortunately!) This is a much less charming thing then stained glass and bells, but I’ve enjoyed it because I am easily amused.

4. The weather

I have been told that I’m going to need to buy something called Rain Trousers, and this worries me immensely. But yesterday the threatened rain held off long enough for me to cycle to get groceries and back, so I feel like I owe the weather a shout-out for doing me this favor. A classmate who’s been here a year already said “wait until winter” in a very ominous way, but I actually don’t think I mind the constant threat of rain – it gives me an excuse to curl up on the couch with tea, stroopwafles and a book, which is always my favorite way to spend an afternoon, and it never lasts very long. So, Rain Trousers aside, I am cautiously optimistic.

Is there anything here that you guys want to hear more about? Leave me a comment and I’ll try to oblige!