Train to Belgium

Last week I had October break. Perfect timing, since we've been in school since the beginning of August. I really needed a week off. Bob and I hadn't planned any major vacation which was just fine with me because what I felt like I really needed was some downtime. I've been rushing around for the last few months trying to do so many things!

From Rotterdam, there is a train to Antwerp that only takes an hour. Bob and I decided that two days in Antwerp would be perfect. Just a backpack, low commitment, not too much travel time. We booked an inexpensive hostel and set off. When we arrived in Belgium, after marveling at the gorgeous central train station, we set off toward the old section of the city and the Grote Market to find our hostel.

I stayed in hostels around Europe in 2003 when I studied abroad in Dublin: bunk beds, drunk roommates, marginally clean bathrooms, interesting characters. I didn't mind it too much, and it was definitely an inexpensive way to see lots of places. Bob and I decided to do the "hostel thing" to save a little money. We can sleep in bunk beds for a night! What fun! I called top bunk. Our hostel was an interesting little place that was allegedly a Russian ballet school. It had a pub downstairs that has some folk music on the weekends. We had a great view of the main cathedral in Antwerp out a little balcony off our room, so it seemed ok. Not the cleanest... but not the worst either.

We set out to explore the city and drink some beer. We went to a great little pre-WW2 beer cafe and had wonderful, cheap Belgian beer. Dutch and American beers are alright, but I think Belgian beer is really my favorite. After sampling a few different kinds, Bob and I decided to make our way back to the area where we were staying to get some dinner. After getting lost and turned around (and arguing a little bit like your typical American couple fighting about directions... guess who was holding the map) we finally made it back and went to a cute little Italian restaurant. After a nice dinner and a half hour wait to try to get our check, we went back to the hostel and had a drink in the bar downstairs.

We met a nice off-duty police officer/guitar luthier who took us around to a few of his favorite places in Antwerp. After a wonderful night of rousing conversation, more beer, and some free jazz, Bob and I decided it was time to turn in. To our bunk beds. It was a cold night.

After another day of exploration, and some upright bass shopping, we decided to hit the road and go back to Rotterdam. I had a wonderful waffle on the way, feeling that I couldn't miss out on that experience, and then caught the train home. It's amazing to me that we can spend an hour on the train and be in a different city and country. I'm truly looking forward to some more weekend adventures.

Riding "Dutch Style"

Until a few days ago, there were two people living in Lijsterlaan 85 with just one bike between them. Bob and I decided to do some bike shopping to get him set up, so we ventured a mile or so down the road to a local bike shop. We've seen lots of people here riding two people on one bike, heck, a mom and her three gorgeous, blond kids can all ride the same bicycle here. So we figured we should learn. Why not? We live here now.

We tried with Bob riding and me hopping on the back. A bit wobbly, especially since my bike is a bit too small for Bob. Then we tried the other way, since we truly are close to the same weight. No shame here. That was tricky too. So we walked my bike down to the shop. On the way back we thought we'd try again. Bob was "driving" and I was on the back, and though we were a wobbly, we made it!

The next day we went to look at a bike at a friend's house. This time, I drove since my bike fits me far better. Bob made it on the back, and after a few tries and some near disasters, we finally got it. I found that the faster I went, the easier it was to keep my balance. When we got to my friend's place, Bob got off. He looked a bit shaken, and said, "I've never felt like I needed a bike helmet more in my life." I drove us home again later on that night, and we're getting steadier each time.

Bike Shopping

I've had a bike for a while, but since Bob is here now I've once again gone through the excitement and frustration of bicycle acquisition. Our friend Justin had an old, rusty Dutch bike that needed a new inner tube and a little love, so Bob decided to take it on as a project. Turns out it's actually a bit to small for his tall frame, but the inner tube has since been replaced and we're working on a new set to make it into a good, solid guest bike.

After a few outings with the two of us on the same bike (see Riding "Dutch Style"), it was really time to get Bob something solid. We took another trip, this time on foot, to our local bike shop and Bob had the guts to essentially ask for the cheapest bike they had. Enter "The Dolphin." It's green with a little bit of magenta lettering, but it's a men's bike and it's tall enough for Bob. It is in pretty good shape but probably won't attract much attention. Exactly what we want. Since we've started to get the hang of riding tandem on one bike, Bob steadily drove us home. So now we're able to bike side by side, as opposed to sharing a bike.