Back
I know, it's been a while since I last posted something... Well, as most of you know, I'm back in Holland, the trip is over, finito, and I have to go back to work. The main reason why I didn't post for so long is that I've been working my ass off finding a job and a place to live. When I left Haren I gave up both my house and my job, so I came back to nothing here. But I gotta say, I haven't been unlucky and the hours I spent every day sitting behind the computer looking for jobs and appartments are starting to pay off. I found a part-time job writing application letters, so I'm getting paid to practice for my own application letter writing skills. And even better, I found a little appartment in Amsterdam, only 5 days after I came back! That's nothing short of a miracle, because the waiting lists for housing in Amsterdam are as long as the distance between me and Dana... It takes some people almost 10 years to find a house. I'm very lucky indeed.
And my new appartment, even though it's small, is not your every day house: when I googled my new address I discovered that a member of the Dutch Parliament, a guy from the Green Party, used to live in my appartment. What's good enough for a Parliament member is good enough for me, I'd say.
Besides Amsterdam I also went back to Groningen for a couple of days, only to find out that not much has changed. There's (even) more bikes parked in front of the station, that's the only thing that really shocked me.
Another bike shed like this, but now in front of the station.
Well, besides the house in Haren that is... I can officially declare that the house is dead. It's still there, it's cleaner and more beautiful than ever before (which is not that hard, I admit), but it has no soul anymore. The university only filled up half the house this semester so everybody has their own appartement. Sounds great in theory, but it's horrible, believe me. Only 6 people from the first semester are still there and none of them seemed very happy. The living room is empty, the smell of ashtrays, old beer and raunchy afterparties is gone, and so is the stoner artwork on the wall. The walls are completely empty, emphasizing the loss of its identity even more.
The day I came back to Haren was a beautiful spring day, 19C/66F, sunny and no wind except me. I stepped into the back garden expecting to see drunk people, BBQ-ing, couches and blankets everywhere, and smell fresh ganja and grass. Nothing. Two people behind a computer inside, nobody outside. I stayed for a while, just to talk to everybody I still knew, but the house itself made me sad. The house of 'manjana, manjana' and 'we'll sweep up the ashes in the morning' is no longer there.
R.I.P. Holy M.O.A.H.!
But... I did come up with a great idea while I was there: when we have the big reunion next month in Groningen we should visit the M.O.A.H. and throw a big Surprise Reunion Party there! You know, just get in, sit down at the tables and start drinking... M.O.A.H. will rise again for one night! (Sorry, it's Eastern right now and as a Catholic I guess I'm getting a little carried away...)
OK. That's enough for now. More will follow soon, including pictures of Groningen, Amsterdam and my new appartment. Keep visiting!
And my new appartment, even though it's small, is not your every day house: when I googled my new address I discovered that a member of the Dutch Parliament, a guy from the Green Party, used to live in my appartment. What's good enough for a Parliament member is good enough for me, I'd say.
Besides Amsterdam I also went back to Groningen for a couple of days, only to find out that not much has changed. There's (even) more bikes parked in front of the station, that's the only thing that really shocked me.
Another bike shed like this, but now in front of the station.
Well, besides the house in Haren that is... I can officially declare that the house is dead. It's still there, it's cleaner and more beautiful than ever before (which is not that hard, I admit), but it has no soul anymore. The university only filled up half the house this semester so everybody has their own appartement. Sounds great in theory, but it's horrible, believe me. Only 6 people from the first semester are still there and none of them seemed very happy. The living room is empty, the smell of ashtrays, old beer and raunchy afterparties is gone, and so is the stoner artwork on the wall. The walls are completely empty, emphasizing the loss of its identity even more.
The day I came back to Haren was a beautiful spring day, 19C/66F, sunny and no wind except me. I stepped into the back garden expecting to see drunk people, BBQ-ing, couches and blankets everywhere, and smell fresh ganja and grass. Nothing. Two people behind a computer inside, nobody outside. I stayed for a while, just to talk to everybody I still knew, but the house itself made me sad. The house of 'manjana, manjana' and 'we'll sweep up the ashes in the morning' is no longer there.
R.I.P. Holy M.O.A.H.!
But... I did come up with a great idea while I was there: when we have the big reunion next month in Groningen we should visit the M.O.A.H. and throw a big Surprise Reunion Party there! You know, just get in, sit down at the tables and start drinking... M.O.A.H. will rise again for one night! (Sorry, it's Eastern right now and as a Catholic I guess I'm getting a little carried away...)
OK. That's enough for now. More will follow soon, including pictures of Groningen, Amsterdam and my new appartment. Keep visiting!
posted by Chris at 8:00 AM
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