Building Bridges - Between the Cultures

WOW and WOW!! I officially have a new favourite city.

My trip to Istanbul was great!!

There is so much for me to say that I know I won't fit it all in this one post.

First off Istanbul is the 2010 European Capital of Culture. I find this interesting in two ways because first off, it is definitely an amazing cultural centre. I was there for only four days and I hardly scratched the surface of all the interesting things to do and see.

Secondly, in this context Turkey is referred to in a European capacity. This is definitely a controversial topic as Turkey has been advocating for membership in the European Union for the past five years.

That is one thing that Istanbul definitely has going for it. It bridges the gap between West and East. With ties to both Europe and Asia, Turkey is able to find a balance between different peoples, cultures and lifestyles.

Turkey definitely fits the mold for this year's Rotary theme of "Building Communities, Bridging Continents", quite literally actually. I stayed in the Asian part of the city with my friend Melek who is Turkish. It was really nice to see her again and we both got to practice our Italian which was great. She was completely amazing in showing me around and making sure that my short time in Istanbul was full of amazing things to see and great things to eat.

One of my favourite things to do was just to take the boat across the Bosphorus from the Asian part to the European part. Most of the major tourist sites are in the European part. I was able to see many of the important places such as Topkap Palace, Sultan Ahmed Mosque (more popularly known as Blue Mosque), Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Galata Tower...

I also did some shopping at the Grand Bazar and the Spice Market. Both impressive in size and action, bargaining is a Turkish way of life. Also Melek and I were invited for tea when we were discussing prices with one group of vendors.

One of the big highlights of the trip was the relaxing Turkish Baths - Hamam. With the combination of humidity, hot water and a special turkish hand towel for getting rid of dry skin, I felt like a baby at the end of the afternoon.

Just walking around the city was also pretty amazing. There is so much life and tourists and locals blend together especially in the area around Taksim Square and also down the busiest street in Istanbul: Istiklal Avenue.

Lastly for the food, I can't even begin to describe all the wonderful things I ate. First off because most of them have turkish names and I can't remember what they are called. Secondly because I ate so much. Melek's mother had some really great meals cooked for us, stuffed pepers, cheese pastries, dolmas... We also had the traditional kebab and many desserts, the best being Turkish baklava :)

I arrived home yesterday morning to my subscription of the Economist with a 14-page special report on Turkey. I feel like it is meant to be, and I know I will find the perspectives as put forward by the journalists rather interesting having just come back from Turkey's biggest city.

Since this week is vacation I am still off school. But that doesn't mean I am not working. I have my papers to finish up and also my Dutch exam Monday night. Not to mention, new courses start Monday with a whole new stack of readings to go along with them.

So now it is back to reality, but after such an amazing trip I am sure to find some inspiration and motivation.

Ciao for now.

From the top of the Galata Tower

Melek and a friend with Baklava

Hagia Sophia Across the Golden Horn

Inside the Blue Mosque

The Spice Bazar

The Past, the Present, the Future

I just got home from Dutch class and we started learning the past tense this week. This is officially the last week of the first semester of my studies. Time is flying by. Just a brief update on the going ons in my life. It's in point form, because forming coherent sentences at this moment not relating to international law is difficult ;) I am very focused as you can tell.

The Past:

Seeing the Dutch national football team dominate the Swedes 4-1 at the Amsterdam Arena!!

Meeting up and eating Dutch Pannenkoeken with a past Rotary exchange student, Lukas, who had stayed at my house in the Soo, and his family.

Attending a Rotary Fundraiser Event of my Host Club, we had dinner and played Musical BINGO, which I WON!! All to the benefit of the IMC WeekendSchool, which benefits Dutch students from underprivileged neighbourhoods.

The Present:

Finishing my paper for Public International Law and starting my paper for the Changing Nature of War.

Studying for my Dutch exam.

Recruiting authors for the Amsterdam Law Forum's next issue - Health and Bio-Ethics.

Hard at work!

The Future:

TURKEY!!! This Friday I will be taking a little vacation to visit a friend of mine in Istanbul. I am really excited to be shown around the cultural sites by a true local and to eat all the delicious Turkish food!

When I return I will have to deal with submitting my papers and sitting my exam, but I know I will take the time while I am away to relax and enjoy all that Istanbul has to offer.

Back to work for now.

Daha sonra bakın (See you later in Turkish)

The Pre-Game ceremony.

Happy the Dutch Team won!!

Dinner with Lukas Zielinski and Family.

Me with my prizes from winning Musical Bingo.

My Rotary Counsellor Wilko and another Scholar Miao-Chien from Taiwan.

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!!

I hope that everyone having celebrated Thanksgiving this past weekend is recovered from the Turkey comas.

Unfortunately the Netherlands has no typical autumn celebration like Thanksgiving. But that didn't stop me from cooking up a storm with a Canadian friend of mine on Sunday afternoon.

We gathered with some friends of ours and gave thanks for many things, the great weather being one of them. Everyone is in shock over how nice it has been here lately. All weekend and even continuing to today. The air definitely has a crisp fall feel about it, but the sun is shining and the sky is blue. It is perfect biking weather :)

For our Thanksgiving meal we were not able to locate a proper turkey, so we had chicken instead. Served with carrot soup, mashed and sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and salad. And I even made Apple Crisp for dessert. One tradition we definitely followed, was eating until we were stuffed.

It was a busy weekend for me as I also visited a Dutch friend of mine I had met in Rome. Saturday she took me to a dutch them park called Efteling. We rode all the roller coasters and enjoyed an atmosphere or kids running around freely, which reminded me a lot of Disney World. I also had dinner with her family Saturday night and it was such a nice experience to sit around a table and be immersed in dutch language and feel part of the family. It brought me back to my experience as a Youth Exchange Student.

I attended my first Rotary meeting last week and was introduced to the small International Club here in Amsterdam. I will return to make a presentation in the new year. But, for tomorrow I have my first official presentation at my Host Counselor's club and I will even attempt to say some of the presentation in dutch.

Tonight though I will be going to see Holland play against Sweeden as a Qualifier for Euro 2012. I know it seems like a long way off, but they definitely take soccer that seriously here. Both teams are undefeated so far, so it should be an interesting game.

All the best from sunny Amsterdam :)

Laura

A relaxing weekend. Now back to work.

A rainy Saturday, led to the clouds clearing and one of the nicest days since I arrived here in Amsterdam on Sunday. I broke out a skirt and a tank-top for likely the last time this season.

Realistically who can stay inside and study when the sun is just calling you from the window. The nice thing also was that it was the first Sunday of the month and there is a Sunday Market at the Westerpark, close to my house, which sells handmade clothes, artwork and also bio-food. It was nice to go relax and eat lunch just sitting alongside of one of Amsterdam's canals.

Sunday was also a day or relaxation after getting all fancy on Saturday for a Rotaract Gala Ball, with Rotaractors from all over Europe. I attended the event with another Canadian and a previous Ambassadorial Scholar, Katrina and her boyfriend from Belgium. We had a great night, networking, chatting with people and dancing until our feet hurt. Tonight I will be introducing myself and making my first presentation at the International Rotary Club of Amsterdam, luckily this I can do in English :)

More good news, is that I applied and was selected for a volunteer position within the Faculty of Law as a Student Editor of the VU Law Journal. ALF - Amsterdam Law Forum, looks for scholarly articles or opinion pieces relating to different topics as they fit themed issues. I am currently looking for Professors and/or Researchers in the field of Health Law for our issue coming out in January. I am really excited for this opportunity of extra-curricular involvement!!

That just means that I am even busier now and that I better get back to reading for Public International Law as I am presenting the case study this Friday.

Hope everyone is doing well. Once again enjoy the pictures.