Chapter 79: Making Mama Proud Since 1985

nerd blog post #84


Though I have been enjoying my time here in Paris immensely, I need to rewind a few days and talk about Amsterdam. What a whirlwind visit that was! Three nights, but felt like three minutes... It was nice being there and not running around like crazy to all of the tourist zones. Having been there a few times now, and just last month, I felt as though I could just relax and visit my friend.

Doctor picked me up at the bus depot Sunday night and wondered what I was up to hugging a lady goodbye. I met her post-bus and we became good friends. She's from Zimbabwe so we're practically cousins. We then started the walk home. I had imported some Belgian beer to enjoy on the walk, and Doctor had, of course, thought likewise and brought some as well. En route, I met a good friend of Doctor's named Eric. Eric is the most persistent homeless man I have ever met. I learned that Doc had already met him once that night and we ended up meeting him another two times afterwards! The conversations went like this:
E: Gimme some money.
D: I'm sorry, I don't have any coins...
E: Gimme five euros then!
D: No, I'm sorry.
E: Whyyy nooooott!!?!??!?!
D: I'm a student!
E: Soo?? Gimme five euros!
Etc. Etc. I have never met a man like Eric before and I have thought about him a lot this week. I hope his friendship with Doctor is blossoming.

Doctor took me to a really cool bar on Sunday night. The crowd was diverse and friendly. The beers were 1 euro. The tunes were cranking. We were happy. But after five long weeks apart, we also had a million things to talk about, so we started the three day catch up then.

On Monday, we slept in like teens and then enjoyed spinach eggs. Steve left us with some healthy and delicious recipes for eggs and stir fry and he was not forgotten on this trip. It was actually a bit weird being there without him. Anyways, in the afternoon we did some errands, including going to Doc's new library. I love seeing school's libraries. I'm a huge nerd. This one was about par for the course.

In the afternoon and evening, we just hung out. We talked about everything and played games and listened to music. It was really great to just be together.

On Tuesday, Doctor had class all day so I was free to take Amdam by storm. I walked all over the city, stopping to take pictures once in awhile or to go into interesting stores. I find the Dutch very helpful and friendly. Their English is impressive and they are not shy to use it. They are also a very good looking people - both genders very tall, slim and fair. Long hair is in with the boys. Amsterdam is a city I think I would enjoy living in very much. For more than just the attractiveness of the people.

On Tuesday night, Doctor threw me a birfday party! He invited all of his class, and only two didn't come. We had six countries represented and it was games themed. Basically, my perfect party. Games + Strangers = Love. It was actually a bit funny to have these guests walk in and introduce themselves and wish me a happy birthday. I loved that I was meeting my party guests for the first time at my birthday party. I could just imagine them telling their parents, "Yeah, tonight I'm going to a b-day party. ... I think her name is Emily. ... I don't know, never met her." Amazing.

We played Flip Cup. I would have made my mama so proud by being on the winning team every time. Loanne has given me a competitive spirit and she would have also had no qualms about beating new friends repeatedly. We had some cup trouble that was remedied by a 2centime coin sticky tacked on to the top of the cup. They just don't have good flip cup cups in Europe and these flimsy ones had to be exported from France! Anyways, the game was a hit, as were the others. I had a great time. Later on, we headed to a bar before calling it a night.

On Wednesday, Doctor and I grabbed grapes and a baguette on route to a bday surprise. He wanted to take me to a lunchtime concert that happens every week at the big concert hall, but it was unfortunately all full when we got there. Still, we were able to hear the beautiful piano in the lobby and gave us enough time to enjoy a coffee together at the train station before I boarded.

Saying goodbye is hard. The time passes too quickly and it makes me long for the Isabella days.. Still, I'm lucky he's not too far away and that week-end visits are possible. I'll be seeing him again late March, which will be great.

Hope you are all well and look for a Paris update very soon!

Signing off,
Hincks.