Bye-Bye Nederlands

So it has been a few days since I’ve updated everyone, but it has been busy, and I think I’ve done pretty well, this is post 3 in 5 days?

As the title suggest, we are on our way to France, with a few stops along the way. Since my last blog, I have visited Rotterdam, Utrecht, and seen more of Amsterdam. I have been posting pictures on my Facebook account, mostly because it is easy, so if you’re not a Facebook friend, request me and I’ll add you so you can see them.... maybe. I’m just kidding. But I will try to post some more photos on here, I’ve been taking a lot, nearly 300 every day, 360 yesterday!

Rotterdam; Great architecture, weird place! The modern architecture is great, and many more sky scrappers than Amsterdam, which has nearly none. But the culture in Rotterdam is not the same as Amsterdam, they just don’t seem to have their own “thing.” Amsterdam has a strong cultural fabric with their canals and everything you think of when you hear Amsterdam. Everyone there seems to act the same and everything jut flows together nicely. Rotterdam was the opposite, everyone seemed to do their own thing. It is almost like it is a city of tourist, there is no such thing as a “local” because everyone there is really from somewhere else. Anyway, the city is a growing city (building development) and I think that may play a role. But because it is a new and growing city, the architecture is just amazing and I got to see so many modernist forms, organic forms, and the use of so many modernist materials that it really just puts shame on American architecture. I’m starting to wonder what they think about the architecture when they come to America, and I don’t really think I want to know the answer.

Yesterday we went to Utrecht, much smaller city, but still very interesting. This is where the Schroder House is located, and I could go on forever about how awesome that was, so you’ll have to talk to me in person if you really want to know about it. But I will say it is the building pictured below, and it was built in the 20’s!! As you can imagine, the local community was NOT pleased with the new appearance that did no fit with the rest of the houses. But this modernist building is amazing inside and out, the interior has elements that people still today would consider to be very modern. Keep in mind this was built nearly 85 years ago! Also in Utrecht was an amazing cathedral, and I love cathedrals. It amazes me how they constructed these enormous structures with such little and simple machinery. I took several photos of the inside and outside, I will try to post them soon. While I was there, a group of women were doing some kind of performance in the courtyard. It was no doubt either a performing arts or religious ritual, but it was pretty unique and nice.

Anyway, everyone is sleeping on the bus right now, I think I am the only one awake! But not for much longer, I will post again after my presentation later today!

Take Care All!! Thanks for reading!