De Hemel Photos Up

Sorry for the longish gap without a new set of pictures, I had a large test on Friday for my Assembly Language class, and as Jessica just reminded me I need to get back to work on other things. But, because I try to be timely with my uploads, I've just finished the final touches on my latest set, which features the restaurant De Hemel and our exquisite meal there. This restaurant is one of several residing in an old castle that overlooks the river Waal. What makes this restaurant unique, besides its location, home made beers and breads, and delicious menu items in general, is its unlimited course dinner. For 28.50E you receive an appetizer of breads and dips, followed by an assortment of courses brought out every 15-30 minutes as the chef prepares them. Once you have had your fill, you tell them that you are done with dinner, and in 30 minutes (after your food has settled some) they bring out dessert. Take a look at the pictures and share in our experience, though, even I must admit the pictures do not do the food justice.

Find the set here. I recommend viewing the photos in as large a size as possible, that's how I create them to be viewed. This link will take you to the set main-page if you don't like the viewbox.

Farrell & Jessica

Comparative Studies 101

For an exchange student, life here in the Netherlands can be organized into distinct categories: expected differences, unexpected similarities, and unexpected differences. Based on background knowledge and previous posts it is easy to guess what belongs in the first two categories, but allow me to give a brief overview of the unexpected differences as of yet unrecounted.

1. The Architecture
Because of the limited land space, which is perpetually threatened by rising sea levels and sinking land masses, the Dutch must meticulously plan their cities, housing, and even the natural areas, to protect and conserve the environment and the unmistakable Dutch quality found in the city and countryside. With regards to the actual look and design of the buildings, there are common characteristics to be found in the old and the new. Roofs tend to be high and either orange or black, but tiled rather than shingled. Furthermore, houses have open floor plans with lots of windows to let it light, and people rarely have or use curtains because they are seen as unnecessary, signifying that the individual (and by extension society as a whole) has nothing to hide.

2. The Bike Roads
True, we expected bike lanes, but certainly not bike roads, and we definitely did not expect the bike lanes to be nearly as profuse. The reality, however, is a road system with abundant accommodations for cars, bikes, various motorized bikes (from motorcycles to motorized wheel chairs), and pedestrians. On the side of every road there is at least one bike lane. Yet, as the road becomes bigger, so do the bike lanes, often becoming two-laned bike roads on both sides of the road, which in many cases break off into independent bike roads that are actually short-cuts, allowing bikers to get to places much quicker. Moreover, these bike lanes/roads do not just remain in the cities, but extend beyond to the country and even along the highways to other cities (big and small) forming an intricate network of travel that is surprisingly vast, fun, and cheap -- the access fee simply being the purchase of a bike. Nevertheless, the most unexpected thing about the bike roads were all the different people using them, which brings me to my next difference.

3. Treatment of the Disabled
Interestingly enough, the Netherlands seems to be a great place to live for the physically and mentally disabled. It is extremely common to see someone in a wheel chair or motorized chair zooming down the bike lane next to you. There are all sorts of wheel chair/bike combinations that allow the person to pedal with their hands, or, perhaps just as often, the person in the wheelchair will bum a ride off their friend by simply holding on to the end of their bike. However, it is not just those in wheel chairs, or older people in motorized chairs, but even people with what we would consider severe conditions are able to take part in all this. There is one memory that always stand out in my mind, and that is of the paraplegic and his dog. One day I was out on the bike road heading away from the city and I came across a man walking his dog, although not how it is usually done. The dog's leash was fastened to the chair, while the man, who was clearly paralyzed from the neck-down, scooted along enjoying his Sunday afternoon and leading his dog, who was running, sniffing, and playing. I remember thinking then what a great place this must be, if even the most disabled are able to enjoy such a great degree of freedom. Even the mentally handicapped are able to enjoy more freedom and acceptance than I have ever seen at home. This country has a lot the U.S. could learn from with respect to acceptance and attitude.

Until Next Time,
Jessica

A Little More Green

Green cricket friend
Originally uploaded by dfarrell07

So, I know I had promised that my next post would be about all things biking here in the Netherlands, but something far more pressing has come up: our flat has a pet. True, pets are not usually allowed, but we were allowed to make an exception for our cute, green, no-named friend. We have no idea where he came from, but one day this grasshopper just appeared, his bright green easily seen on the bright red walls. Interestingly (or perhaps it's more fortunate), he is missing one of his long-back legs, so he cannot make any of his annoying music, which works out well. How he survives, i.e. what he is eating, is a mystery, but he must like it here because he has been with us for a few weeks now, just popping in and disappearing again at will. It's fun though. We are always on the look out for our new friend, but he still surprises us sometimes. We have yet to find a name that suits him, so feel free to make suggestions!

Until Next Time,
Jessica

Layout, Blogroll, Polls

You may have noticed some slight revisions to the layout of the blog. The updates include going from two Google adverts to one, removing the 'Following' and 'Subscribe via Email' applets, style changes, and the addition of a Blogroll. Users who are already receiving email updates will continue getting them, but the system is closed to new subscriptions. It is also still possible to follow this blog as normal, there just is not a shortcut in the right pane. We implemented these changes to encourage users to visit the blog, leave comments, and get involved instead of simply reading our posts in their email clients. The Blogroll will feature external links to other noteworthy blogs, I suggest everyone check them out. 'Me, Myself and Ty' is a new blog by my friend and the editor-in-chief (retired) of NCSU's student newspaper, Ty Johnson. 'Cultural geography from SoCal to Nijmegen' is the travel blog of another friend and International Student at Radboud, Phil Gresham. The featured blogs will rotate irregularly.

Look for new site updates in the near future, including a few polls to help us learn about our users and provide more responsive content.

Farrell

Two New Sets Up

Jessica at Piecken
Originally uploaded by dfarrell07

I've just finished uploading two small sets of pictures from around Nijmegen. The first is at Cafe Piecken, a local bar that hosts International Night every Tuesday. The second is of Jessica cooking a dish of her own creation. Both provide a little insight into our daily routine.

Farrell