I can't decide if I am ready to come back or not.
I want to stay in Amsterdam forever.
But I also want Mexican food.
Do you see the problem?
Oh the Places I've Been
It's crazy to think that in the past 5.5 months I traveled to 11 countries. AND I had time to finish my degree. But that's not as interesting as the places I went to. Here is a brief recap of all the cities and countries I visited....
Barcelona, Spain
Brussels and Antwerp, Belgium
Florence and Rome, Italy
Paris, France
All over Iceland
Prague, Czech Republic
Cologne and Munich, Germany
Salzburg, Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria
Zurich, Switzerland
All over England
And lastly,
Utrecht, Haarlem, Maastrict, Rotterdam, Groningen, Zaanse Schans, Valkenburg and Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Netherlands
Living over here went from a constant WTF am I even doing, to ok ok I think I got this, to eating stroopwafels while I bike around in the rain.
It's crazy how much I learned while living here and how many things are so different from the States. From flushing a toilet to the cars people drive to the music in the clubs to paying for water.
Over the past 6 months, I've kept a list of things that are different, things I've learned or just fun facts.
Here are some of them...
- You can walk into a store a buy weed.
- Cafes and coffeeshops are two different things
- One sells coffee and the other sells marajuana
- They have public transportation down to a science over here
- Stores are actually closed on Sundays and people use it as a day of rest.
- The "fast" lane on the freeway is actually a passing lane and it's illegal to stay in it if you aren't passing someone.
- Beer is the same price as water.
- No one has a pickup truck. Cars are really small because the tax they pay on their car is based on the weight of the car.
 |
- Bike lanes.
- Bikes everywhere.
- I wish we had better bike lanes in CA. It makes so much sense over here.
- Bikers have the right of way.
- Also vespas can go in the bike lanes. So can tiny one person cars.
- The Netflix is different!
- You won't see anyone walking to class in sweatpants and flip flops.
- Teachers give smoke breaks! And you don't have to be 100 feet from a building to smoke.
- Weed isn't actually legal here. It's just accepted.
- No one really smokes out of pipes or pieces.
- Everyone rolls instead.
- The M&M's taste different.
- You have to ask for the check if you want it. No one will ever just bring it to you.
- Service in Europe is THE WORST. But I think the Netherlands is the worst of them all.
- No tipping!
- I've had such bad service that I don't even think I would tip them if I had to.
- Pancakes look like crepes.
- And the waffles are DELISH.
- The stroopwafel is the best thing about this place.
- I've seen more prostitutes in 6 months than most will see in their life.
- You need two locks on your bike.
- I judge how people lock up their bikes in other countries.
- Victoria's Secret only sells lotions, perfumes and hand bags over here.
- During Christmas time, the stores and streets would have some lights and decorations. Unlike in the States, every store, door, residential street and lamppost is decorated.
- Grades are given on a scale of 1-10. 5.5 is passing and no GPA, so there is no motivation to get higher than a 5.5.
- I think education is better in the States.
- Cashiers at grocery stores sit in chairs.
- There are no bag boys.
- Febo is the best drunk food.
- Fries with mayo is also great when drunk.
- You ask where the toilet is... not the bathroom/ restroom.
- And you have to pay for it.
- You can drink water straight from the tap and it's delicious.
- But the water destroys your hair. I miss the humidity giving me nice mermaid hair.
- Coffee is better over here.
- However I think Coffee Bean in SoCal and Dutch Bros in NorCal are just as good
- The Dutch are very direct.
- They say it is part of their culture. But I think they are being straight up rude.
- Almost every cafe and restaurant has outdoor seating and people will sit out there no matter the temperature if it's sunny.
- It's looked down upon if you are American.
- However, it's cool if you are from California or New York.
- I've said, "I grew up near San Francisco but I go to school down by LA" about a thousand times.
- If the club claims they are playing hip hop and r&b it is most likely not.
- People seem really behind on new music.
- You have to pay for the toilet at clubs.
 |
- It started getting cold over here in October.
- There is no Target.
- My Twitter and Spotify ads are all in Dutch.
- The fruit in the grocery stores and markets look so fresh and juicy but they have no flavor.
- It tastes like straight water.
- However, the hummus is fantastic.
- I still don't know how people bike to work in the rain and not have it ruin their day.
- No idea how I survived 5.5 months with no oven, toaster or freezer.
- I also haven't watched tv in 5.5 months
- So I have NOT been keeping up with the Kardashians
- I have learned so many British words. I've caught myself saying chips instead of fries and biscuits instead of cookie.
 |
- 95% of the buildings here would not be up to California earthquake code standards.
- The Netherlands had one of the driest seasons (Fall/ Winter) in years. Much less rain than normal and much warmer than normal.
- Which was fine by me.
- I can survive without internet or wifi.
- Food is very bland. No spices to it.
- Everyone wants to know what it's like to be in a sorority.
- And if it's just like the movies.
- People don't just go get fro-yo and hang out. Or boba.
- I haven't had boba or thai tea in MONTHS.
- Everyone speaks about two or three language.s
- Makes you feel really stupid when you only know one. Also makes you wish you actually paid attention in Spanish class.
- There are no toilet seat covers.
- Studying in the Netherlands was the most stressful and amazing experience.
 |
Fraijlemaborg
Even though I traveled all around Europe and had so many great adventures, my favorite part of this entire experience was the friends I made. I wish I could take my entire dorm back to California with me. Living with people from all over the world was so fascinating. It made you think about how to phrase sentences or speak to someone who's second or third language is English. It was so fun to compare ways of life, schooling, politics, food, etc. with someone from a different country. It didn't matter how different everyone grew up, everyone still got along and hung out 24/7. I used to wish that our entire dorm was closer to the city center but then I realized that everyone probably wouldn't have hung out every night because there was nothing to do around here in our little ghetto.
I was blessed with the two best roommates a girl could ask for. As some people may know, my freshman dorm situation was... interesting (BANG BANG), so I was hesitant to share another dorm room with unknown people. BUT BOY I'M GLAD I DID. I spent the last 5.5 months with the best roommates, or flatmates if you're British, I've ever had. I learned all about Bulgaria and traditional Bulgarian foods. I didn't even know where Bulgaria was on a map before I met Emi. I loved all of our conversations about the most random things from Halloween to drinking fountains! I can't wait for you to show me around Bulgaria. Kayte, thank you for teaching me so many British words. I'm going to go home and call the trash the rubbish, the trunk the boot and a plate of fries a plate of chips. We had so many fun times between our two rooms. I can't wait for our California road trip.
I'm not sure when I will see everyone again and it's sad to think we may not all be together in one place ever again. However, it's nice to know I have friends all over the world. I plan on visiting each and every one of them at some point in my life. I can't wait for everyone to come see me in California and show them around my hood aka Disneyland.
 |
| Out of all the months, my favorite is April. |
 |
| Thanksgiving |
 |
| The crew |
 |
| My favorite Jo <3 |
 |
| My 23rd bday |
 |
| One of my favorite nights |
 |
| My Swedish fish |
 |
| Roy! |
 |
| Ball Pit Bar |
 |
| Final Party |
 |
| My California girl |
 |
| Roomieeeeee |
 |
| Last ride together |
 |
| No idea whats happening here |
 |
| My study abroad experience would not have been complete without her |
Time to Grow Up
I am so grateful that I was given this opportunity to grow and learn
and see what I am capable of. It is a very empowering feeling. I've been scared to go home and find a job and a place to live. I can literally count down the days on my calendar to when I have to grow up.
It's extremely scary coming back with nothing to come back to. But I also thought leaving the country and living in a foreign country would be scary and I made it work. Now I just have to go home, figure my shit out and make it work.
So that's my answer to everyone who asks what's my plan for when I return home.
I'm not sure. I don't know. I have no idea.
But I'll figure it out.
The only thing I have figured out, is that I'm getting Taco Bell right after I step off the plane.
With that being said. It's sad to say, but this is the end of my Marissa's Adventures Abroad Blog. Thank you all who have read my posts and enjoyed the journey with me. It's crazy to see how many people read this and kept up with my life. I really thought it was only going to be my mom who cared.
With that being said,
I'm ready to come back and Beyonce the shit out of the next phase of my life.
XOXO,
Marissa
 |
| Peace out, Amsterdam. |