One thing that is very present in Dutch society is that of being a "social" person. Not in the way that an American may think social...as in going out and interacting with a lot of people and having a busy calendar full of things to do and places to go with many people. No, in the NL, "social" is more of a way you should behave and be 'normal', a way take an active part in society to make things run more smoothly. More often you hear of someone being "anti-social". The phrase, 'don't be so anti-social' is probably a quite commonly used phrase...as often as 'dank u wel' or 'alstublieft' (maybe not *that* much).
I've heard this before, referring to (funny enough), garbage collection. While I know, growing up back in the 'hood of Sheboygan, with neighbors who don't really give a crap about what day the garbage is being collected and put bags and bags of garbage out in the alley behind our house a day or two before the trash collectors were to come....that isn't the nicest of behavior. But in my own experience with my Dutchie, and from talking to other expats living in Amsterdam...its quite amusing to me, this huge importance dutchies place on timing of taking out the garbage. your whole reputation amongst your neighbors pretty much depends on it! if you put your garbage out any earlier then probably 2 hours before the collection, you are labeled as 'anti-social'. if you put it out the night before: anti-social ---this was the case of another expat I talked to. (what if you don't have time in the morning, or may forget in your mad-dash of getting ready for work? its better to put out the trash than have it pile up inside and help aid in starting an infestation of bugs or rodents!)
And in our case, we have a trash bin outside that some employee from our apt complex puts out in the morning, usually by 730am. The trash collection usually comes at around 930am. This is a pretty short window to put trash out. If you put trash outside on the curb if the bin isn't yet out if, say, the employee doesn't put the bin out before you leave or before 9am, you are anti-social.
Last week, both on Monday and Thursday when they come to collect the trash, the bins weren't out before 9...M leaves before 9. I don't get out of my pjs til after 10...(so this meant no trash was being taken out). I suggested, just put it out on the curb..that's not our problem that he forgot to put the bin out in time. I dont want bags of trash sitting on our balcony all week. 'No! That is really anti-social' was the response! 'Its not the job of the collector to pick up the bags off the curb...they are supposed to only empty the bins.' Well, to me, bags and bins, same thing...their job is to collect the trash.
But as the bins were out late twice last week, I think M changed his mind and is becoming defiant to the risk of labeling by neighbors and the trash collectors...and simply will put his trash out no matter what (you could argue that being late on putting the bins out is also anti-social!). Dutch society, pretty much as a whole, follows the rules. If you don't do what's socially accepted, someone will let you know and put you in your place. Unless of course you're an apethetic immigrant who just wants to put her trash out. A few hours off on your timing, and a plea to attend integration classes will ensue! ;-)
PS- I wrote this last week...but posting today. This morning the bin wasn't out when M left at 745. When I looked out the window at 9am , the bin was there, and the trash bag that should have gone out with M an hour earlier...was still sitting in our kitchen. So I had to take it out. Why wait for the dang bin? Just take the trash out and put it on the curb! The trash collectors are coming no matter what, so put it out there or have your kitchen smell like garbage and watch the fruit fly population soar.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
New to my wallet: a library card
Last week I finally made a move to further 'integrating' in Dutch society...I got a library card.
The Utrecht public library isn't really confined in one library...there's the central library in the city center, but also at least 10 'branch' libraries in the different neighborhoods. I think this is kinda dumb, since its not like Utrecht is really all that spread out and each branch is not more than probably 5 miles or less to the next place. Well, I heard that at the Overvecht library there are several books or textbooks/CDs about learning Dutch. So finally I went, to try and do something about learning Dutch.
You have to pay to join the library in the Netherlands. Here in Utrecht its 16 euros per year, plus a 2.50euro joining fee. In addition to that, all books are 25 cents to borrow for a 3 week period. CDs are more, CD-roms, videos, and other things cost different prices. While I understand that maybe some money is needed to fund the system of buying books and paying employees....I think a joining fee prevents certain people from joining...and perhaps growing up not learning to read well or enjoying to read. I think it sort of pushes out a certain sector of society.
Anyways, the good news is that the Dutch for foreigners books and CD-roms are free to borrow! that's finally a smart move by them...it encourages people to learn the language without worrying about money and having to pay all the time to take out the books. and luckily since its the summer vacation, books can be borrowed for 6 weeks. That's good because I'll be gone for the next two and won't even have time to look at them.
So, hopefully I will make myself look at these books...and hopefully I will learn something from them.
I'm excited to go to Germany, I just hope that some of the language skills i once had come back...I get so mixed up with Dutch and German in my head...but I think recently more dutch is coming to my mind/mouth than German words. that is a good sign.
The Utrecht public library isn't really confined in one library...there's the central library in the city center, but also at least 10 'branch' libraries in the different neighborhoods. I think this is kinda dumb, since its not like Utrecht is really all that spread out and each branch is not more than probably 5 miles or less to the next place. Well, I heard that at the Overvecht library there are several books or textbooks/CDs about learning Dutch. So finally I went, to try and do something about learning Dutch.
You have to pay to join the library in the Netherlands. Here in Utrecht its 16 euros per year, plus a 2.50euro joining fee. In addition to that, all books are 25 cents to borrow for a 3 week period. CDs are more, CD-roms, videos, and other things cost different prices. While I understand that maybe some money is needed to fund the system of buying books and paying employees....I think a joining fee prevents certain people from joining...and perhaps growing up not learning to read well or enjoying to read. I think it sort of pushes out a certain sector of society.
Anyways, the good news is that the Dutch for foreigners books and CD-roms are free to borrow! that's finally a smart move by them...it encourages people to learn the language without worrying about money and having to pay all the time to take out the books. and luckily since its the summer vacation, books can be borrowed for 6 weeks. That's good because I'll be gone for the next two and won't even have time to look at them.
So, hopefully I will make myself look at these books...and hopefully I will learn something from them.
I'm excited to go to Germany, I just hope that some of the language skills i once had come back...I get so mixed up with Dutch and German in my head...but I think recently more dutch is coming to my mind/mouth than German words. that is a good sign.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Residence Permit update
Well, some news on the residence permit- not what I wanted to hear though. After getting back from the gym, I was riding home, wondering if something could possibly be in the mailbox waiting for me. And to my surprise, there was actually a letter from the Ministry of Justice- the Immigration Dept. It didn't look thick with information or anything, so I was already a bit apprehensive. I went from surprise to excitement to apprehension within 5 seconds.
I opened it and immediately knew it was not the letter I wanted to get. I couldn't understand it completely, but I knew they wanted something to be sent in within 2 weeks from the dated stamp, thus my application was not approved yet. DAMN IT!!
After scanning the letter and emailing it to M, what they are requesting and saying that we did not include in our application (we must have had over 40 -50 pages of information) was that we lived at the same address. So basically this delay is not even our fault. We included both official papers from the City hall (that cost 10 euros EACH) saying that we lived at this address in Utrecht (but on two separate papers, one for each). I registered with the city the day they accepted my application and sent it on to the Immigration. Its weird that they would accept it if I wasn't even a resident at a certain address with my partner in Utrecht.
So to clarify this and make sure it gets back on track again as soon as possible (esp since we're going on a trip for 2 weeks on Wednesday!), we had to do something today. So after a quick shower and hardly a lunch, I met M at city hall at 2. There were tons of people in there waiting. The only thing I can compare the city hall here to is the DMV in the USA. A ton of people waiting around for EVER. You take a number and wait. there are several desks open, but some areas are for different issues. Luckily we were in the line for the citizen service that didn't have a long wait! Within 20 minutes we were out, and 20euros poorer. We each requested a printed out official paper with a stamp on it saying that we are registered at this address, and two people are registered at this address.
Then off to the post office to send it by registered mail so that by Monday they'll get it. We'll call and check on Tuesday, as now my particular case has an actual case number and a person assigned to it. Hopefully this does not put my application back more than 2 days. But I bet if the city had done what they were supposed to, or the IND is just trying to challenge us, I would have the RIGHT letter today- saying I could go pick up the ID card anytime. I hope the REAL letter will be there waiting for me when we get back from Germany.
This is just like all those stupid rebate 'deals' in the US-- some many times you send a rebate in and they send you a letter back saying you didn't buy the object/good in the valid period or send the right UPC thing in or the original receipt wasn't circled...or some stupid arse reason...just to discourage you and steal your money that you should be rightfully getting back. You gotta keep fighting to prove that you're right. I hear horror stories that those rebate fights go on for years. I hope this is nothing like that, although the IND has been known to have several problems like that. Just last week a 4 year old boy finally received his residence permit after 4 years (he was born here)...but with a hang up because of his mom's status (they were illegal apparently), he was never rewarded it and the IND kept putting it off.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/04/europe/EU-GEN-Netherlands-Immigration.php
I opened it and immediately knew it was not the letter I wanted to get. I couldn't understand it completely, but I knew they wanted something to be sent in within 2 weeks from the dated stamp, thus my application was not approved yet. DAMN IT!!
After scanning the letter and emailing it to M, what they are requesting and saying that we did not include in our application (we must have had over 40 -50 pages of information) was that we lived at the same address. So basically this delay is not even our fault. We included both official papers from the City hall (that cost 10 euros EACH) saying that we lived at this address in Utrecht (but on two separate papers, one for each). I registered with the city the day they accepted my application and sent it on to the Immigration. Its weird that they would accept it if I wasn't even a resident at a certain address with my partner in Utrecht.
So to clarify this and make sure it gets back on track again as soon as possible (esp since we're going on a trip for 2 weeks on Wednesday!), we had to do something today. So after a quick shower and hardly a lunch, I met M at city hall at 2. There were tons of people in there waiting. The only thing I can compare the city hall here to is the DMV in the USA. A ton of people waiting around for EVER. You take a number and wait. there are several desks open, but some areas are for different issues. Luckily we were in the line for the citizen service that didn't have a long wait! Within 20 minutes we were out, and 20euros poorer. We each requested a printed out official paper with a stamp on it saying that we are registered at this address, and two people are registered at this address.
Then off to the post office to send it by registered mail so that by Monday they'll get it. We'll call and check on Tuesday, as now my particular case has an actual case number and a person assigned to it. Hopefully this does not put my application back more than 2 days. But I bet if the city had done what they were supposed to, or the IND is just trying to challenge us, I would have the RIGHT letter today- saying I could go pick up the ID card anytime. I hope the REAL letter will be there waiting for me when we get back from Germany.
This is just like all those stupid rebate 'deals' in the US-- some many times you send a rebate in and they send you a letter back saying you didn't buy the object/good in the valid period or send the right UPC thing in or the original receipt wasn't circled...or some stupid arse reason...just to discourage you and steal your money that you should be rightfully getting back. You gotta keep fighting to prove that you're right. I hear horror stories that those rebate fights go on for years. I hope this is nothing like that, although the IND has been known to have several problems like that. Just last week a 4 year old boy finally received his residence permit after 4 years (he was born here)...but with a hang up because of his mom's status (they were illegal apparently), he was never rewarded it and the IND kept putting it off.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/04/europe/EU-GEN-Netherlands-Immigration.php
chocolate belgian waffle!
last weekend we went to brussels again. this time to visit a friend of m's who lives there temporarily while working for the EU. it was a bit more relaxed this time, less walking, more enjoying of sitting on the terrace of cafes and drinking a beer (or two). the weather finally was alright last weekend, before going back to its crappiness on monday, so we did get some face time with the sun. more belgian waffles (only 3 this time!)...we took 2 home with us. they are SO good. good thing i dont live in brussels or I would eat them every day. it was a nice time, and i do like brussels...but i dont think we'll be going back there for awhile! there are too many other places to see still.
we've been getting ready for our trip to germany. we're leaving next week for 2 weeks. we're going to garmisch-partenkirchen in extreme southern bavaria (south of munich). we'll camp there for 10 days, and then go to esslingen and visit my german host family, as well as a friend from that high school class. hopefully the weather cooperates!
we've been getting ready for our trip to germany. we're leaving next week for 2 weeks. we're going to garmisch-partenkirchen in extreme southern bavaria (south of munich). we'll camp there for 10 days, and then go to esslingen and visit my german host family, as well as a friend from that high school class. hopefully the weather cooperates!
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Bright spots
As much as I joke about the "squatters", when telling others where I work, its all just that - joking. Yes, its true, the hostel was founded by squatters, and some of those founders still work there. But no one's a squatter any more. And there are others who weren't part of that movement. But the general feeling there is that of being alternative...alternative to my 'mainstream' lifestyle. And that's why I probably joke about it, because its different to me. But maybe I should try to see things more their way. There might be some good in that.
The last two weeks have been typical 'Dutch' weather. Cloudy, cool, rainy, sometimes heavy downpours, and often times its very windy. So when the sunshine comes out, it is always something special. Its like when the first flowers bloom in springtime, or perhaps what it is like in Alaska when the sun first shows after a long winter in the dark. Today was just another such day, rainy and cold, with periods of heavy misting rain. When I was in the basement cleaning the lockers since its slow and most guests were staying another night (meaning I don't have any beds to take off and new ones to put on), Well one of my co-workers came down to change the laundry around and said "oh, the sun is out! you must take a break and sit outside!" So I did. by the time I got out there though, it was cold and cloudy again. And eventually it started raining again...but it was such a hopeful and positive outlook on life, to value the important things, no matter how little they may seem.
After I left the hostel, I went to the center where the stores are along the gracht (the canal)...and after braving the crowds that are always in H&M, I was riding my bike back towards home, and I heard some man say in english to his woman companion, "I love this place, its so nice here." The sun was out, the brick sidewalk was still wet, the flower man was trying to sell his last sunflowers and tulips of the day...and I hear such a positive comment on appreciation of the beauty of this city. It made me feel special that I am apart of this beauty...in a way. On my bike, along the canal, I am apart of the living city. I may not be from here, I may not even speak the language or know any other Dutch people here, but I'm still apart of this living city. Its nice to hear comments like that, to see the city through the eyes of a newcomer to Utrecht.
Last night we had M's basketball team over for a end of the season BBQ. We have our electric BBQ out on the balcony, protected from the heavy rain showers. But inside we had 11 people, enjoying some great food that M and I prepared and some beer and wine and some music. It was really nice. I wouldn't mind having people over more often- in fact, its quite nice to have some social time in our own home. this was the first time we had a party here. And the first time this group of people have been here and seen our apartment. Its nice to have people over and show our place and our bunnies to everyone.
This picture was taken by M from our apartment balcony last week.
The last two weeks have been typical 'Dutch' weather. Cloudy, cool, rainy, sometimes heavy downpours, and often times its very windy. So when the sunshine comes out, it is always something special. Its like when the first flowers bloom in springtime, or perhaps what it is like in Alaska when the sun first shows after a long winter in the dark. Today was just another such day, rainy and cold, with periods of heavy misting rain. When I was in the basement cleaning the lockers since its slow and most guests were staying another night (meaning I don't have any beds to take off and new ones to put on), Well one of my co-workers came down to change the laundry around and said "oh, the sun is out! you must take a break and sit outside!" So I did. by the time I got out there though, it was cold and cloudy again. And eventually it started raining again...but it was such a hopeful and positive outlook on life, to value the important things, no matter how little they may seem.
After I left the hostel, I went to the center where the stores are along the gracht (the canal)...and after braving the crowds that are always in H&M, I was riding my bike back towards home, and I heard some man say in english to his woman companion, "I love this place, its so nice here." The sun was out, the brick sidewalk was still wet, the flower man was trying to sell his last sunflowers and tulips of the day...and I hear such a positive comment on appreciation of the beauty of this city. It made me feel special that I am apart of this beauty...in a way. On my bike, along the canal, I am apart of the living city. I may not be from here, I may not even speak the language or know any other Dutch people here, but I'm still apart of this living city. Its nice to hear comments like that, to see the city through the eyes of a newcomer to Utrecht.
Last night we had M's basketball team over for a end of the season BBQ. We have our electric BBQ out on the balcony, protected from the heavy rain showers. But inside we had 11 people, enjoying some great food that M and I prepared and some beer and wine and some music. It was really nice. I wouldn't mind having people over more often- in fact, its quite nice to have some social time in our own home. this was the first time we had a party here. And the first time this group of people have been here and seen our apartment. Its nice to have people over and show our place and our bunnies to everyone.
This picture was taken by M from our apartment balcony last week.
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