Sunday, October 10, 2004

Biking in Amsterdam

Today, after I got back from church, which was an excercise in aggrivation, F asked me what I would like to do. I said, "I need to study Dutch and edit that Gabi's piece for Wednesday's writing group."

He said, "Fine. But look at this weather. We have to go out."

I thought, I can see it from here. The Dutch, mine in particular, seem to be obsessed with going outdoors. I don't understand it. It was so windy going to and from church. It was work. So he said, "We could shop for a new winter coat for you." I was standing before he finished the sentence.

The reason church was so frustrating is because Olyvia, the choir director, has been a angry, sarcastic and bitter lately. So when we finished our first piece, she just rolled her eyes and walked back to the organ. It's discouraging. She'll probably say something mean to the sopranoes on Tuesday. Plus there's the German guy that stands next to me now who whispered, "Zat waas really terrible!" at the end of the piece.

Coat shopping was completed fairly quickly as we went to Zara - supposedly Europe's answer to The Gap. The Gap really has nothing on Zara. They don't sweep at Zara. The stairs were horrible. But we found a coat that was appropriate and warm. It buttons, no zipper, but I can live with that.

I was glad to get home. The wind here is always agaist you when you bike. Makes me tired.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I've noticed that too. Doesn't matter in which direction you cycle or how quickly you change directions - you're always cycling against the wind. Drives me up the wall!