Gendarmes at the Classroom Gates

There's always a gaggle of angry security guards in suits blocking the doors to classrooms. How about instead of being completely useless, we try and stop bike thieves, laptop thieves, purse thieves, just any of thieves?

What is the point, is what I'd like to know. It's bad enough I have to be in school without being harrassed by useless guards.

Dutch train transport = Hot mess.

A few words of advice for those weary travelers don't know any better, when a Dutch train schedule tells you that a trip will take X amount of time, make sure you add another 1 to 5 hours to it. Getting home today from Brussels was a hot tranny mess nightmare. What should've taken 2 hours wound up taking us 4 extra hours and 5 different train changes in a bunch of random cities with names I can't even begin to pronounce. And all the while, I'm trying to breathe out of both my nostrils and pop my ears (I'm getting over a cold) and trying not to karate chop the pair of cackling Dutch banshees sitting two rows away from me.

But other than that, Belgium was wonderful. I'm too beat to elaborate further, but promise to update soon. Also, look out for a guest post by Dave Gartypants!

Vespa riders are cheaters.

That being said, I really wish I had a scooter. Biking with a giant backpack laden with a laptop and three giant readers is a lot tougher than it seems. I made a lovely first impression in class today, redfaced and wheezing from my cycle commute.

I sat in the very back row because it was the only spot with an electrical outlet and I wound up sitting next to a helpful Dutchman named William (of Orange?) who basically had to walk me to where the bookshop was since I'm a neurotic American who can't seem to find anything. (Yeah, books! Those definitely didn't figure into my budget. Whoops.)

Afterward I had to do the crazy commute back and the only thing keeping me upright on my seat was the thought of ice-cold orange fanta waiting for me back home. But I'm home now and ready to sprawl face-down on my couch, fanta in hand.