Well for introductions, in case someone I don't know is interested and reading this, I'm Brenna and I've just moved to Utrecht in the Netherlands for 2 years to complete my masters in Neuroscience. I'm doing this blog partly for the benefit of my friends and family who are interested in how I'm doing and also for myself. This experience is unique and I want to be able to document how it has all worked out. I've picked the title "Subtle Differences" for my blog because what I've realized is that many things are similar to living in the US. Generally we do the same things but I have noticed tons of subtle differences in random items like how they package some foods or how the toilets are. Silly things but that's what I've truly noticed most. Maybe I'll come up with a better title later but for now this is good enough :)
For starters, I've been living in Utrecht a grand total of 4 days now but I've been galavanting in Europe for two weeks. It's been a whirlwind of activity and fun. So many new things to see and do (and get used to doing). I think I'll just do a little documentation of my trip so far...
Leaving the US
Turns out that no matter how many times you do the whole "goodbyes" thing, it's still pretty difficult. My year back in los alamos turned out better than I ever dreamed and I met some true friends. I'm lucky that some of them will be living in los alamos semi-permanently and I will see them again when I go home to visit and that some of the rest of them are from europe and will be there while I'm here. But for many they were open-ended goodbyes that you're not totally sure when you'll see eachother again and that is truly saddening. But I hold high hopes to meet those people again. Packing my life for two years into essentially 2 bags was a challenge particularly considering I've never experienced this climate before and had no idea what to expect. It was interesting to realize how easy it was for me to just put things aside because I knew I wouldn't need them. Needs and wants are two very different things.
It was hard saying goodbye to my family at the airport this time. For some reason it was harder than it has been in the past. I think part of it is related to the fact that I moved home for a year and was able to live with my parents as an adult and not as a teenager. Our relationships changed from when I lived at home as a high school teenager, in a good way.
Arriving
For those who know about my air travel history and horrible luck, you'll be surprised to hear that I truly had a hassle free trip to Amsterdam even with some opportunities for misfortune! First off, despite being assured by the woman at the airline desk in abq that I would NOT need to exit the terminal in Chicago, I had to leave the terminal and check in again at Aer Lingus and go thru security again at a different terminal. But all was well. I had plenty of time between my connections and no trouble. My only issue was that they had no food in the international terminal I was in, after security so it was pringles for lunch! My flight to Dublin wasn't very crowded so I had two empty seats next to me. The plane was huge and new with tvs in the seat back in front of you with loads of choices. I watched a few movies, napped and read. Overall a delightful flight! The only drawback is my seat was the only seat who's a/c was broken and I couldn't turn it off so I was cold but I had a blanket so it was fine. Dublin airport was really lovely and had free wifi so I could let my family know I was safe. Getting to amsterdam was fine as well and what's more is that Kirsten surprised me and picked me up from the airport! This was really nice because she knew how to get around much quicker and it certainly helped with carrying around all my luggage pieces. After leaving on a monday morning and arriving on a tuesday afternoon in Utrecht, I was pretty exhausted but following the warnings of friends, I did not take a nap because I knew it would mess with my jetlag. Luckily I was staying with 3 people who are in my program (2nd years) who were so kind and kept me awake with lively conversation and a delicious dinner. I stayed with them for 3 days before beginning my euro travels and got to see a little bit of utrecht as well.
Eurotrip!
This trip has had many different imagined routes and company but I finally worked out the trip 2 months prior to leaving the US. My dear friend Jodie wasn't able to join me galavanting around europe so I decided to visit cities where I also knew someone there. Here is my route:
London-->Edinburgh-->Zurich-->Paris-->Utrecht(final destination!)
No comments:
Post a Comment