I've been here for four months now, and things are really
starting to feel normal. However, there
are some things that still do not feel normal.
Here is something that doesn't feel normal yet:
Riding a bike- Now, this has come easier to some than
others. Some are still learning how to navigate
around on their bike and keep it up right.
I have somewhat gotten used to riding my bike to work. Every morning I ride to work, and I can’t
believe that I’m riding my bike to work.
It is such a strange feeling and even more strange to see everyone else
doing it. It’s really weird to see a
bunch of adults riding bikes from place to place. However, riding my bike in all kinds of
weather is another story. Today I had to
ride home in the rain, which is normal for Dutch people. I am convinced that for this very reason, Dutch
people are stronger people than Americans.
 |
| "Get out the way, I gots to get to work for real." |
You doubt me? Picture
your worst co-worker and imagine them riding a bike in the rain. “No way!”
That has "call out sick" written all over it. There is no way you will get a minimum wage
employee in America to ride their bike to work in the rain (even if everything is
relative in size and distance). Some
people will say “Well, they’re dumb for riding in the rain. Isn't there public transportation?” There is, but even with that they just suck
it up and deal with it. They are not
consumed with what they look like when they get to work; they just know that
they have to get to work no matter what.
I say all this after riding my bike in the rain two days in a row. And like an American, I have decided today is
the last day I will do that. I will be
taking public transportation to work when it rains from now on. I can act Dutch on non-rainy days. I'm not that much in a hurry to blend in.
