Well the time in Europe has begun. Starting in Rotterdam with the residency. Rotterdam is an interesting place and attitude. It's an easy walk. I think if you just walked continually you could see the whole city in 4 hours. However, if you have a fear of bridges like yours truly...thank the heavens for the subway, trams and water taxis. I 've been trying to get a feel for the area in which the residency is located. I always tend to end up in basically the same type of "hood's" in Europe with each residency, mostly Turkish, around water and cities of industry. I have a fantastic view of the River Mass on two sides of my studio.....however a great chill comes with that view. I'm trying to figure out why Chicago calls itself the windy city. Rotterdam has it beat by miles. This is the second largest port on the planet. The water is wide (and not all that clean). Since I've been here (arrived Friday, April 3) the winds have been at a steady pace. Now imagine a somewhat drafty studio apartment and a large river on both sides of you. it's great though to get up every morning and see nothing but sky and water.
Most people say I'm a wimp but in simple terms I'M FROM DETROIT! We enjoy HEAT Up-south. There is no gas heat in the Netherlands. It's all electronic and electricity is expensive. So people have become accustomed to not turning up the heat. Whereas we heat a whole house in the states here in the Netherlands (or at least with the people I know) they heat a room and bear the rest. Oh and this also means no dryers for clothes. You hang dry here.
People here are generally friendly and curious. They're not afraid to stare at you hard and have overheard a couple of times some say to the affect "it's an American". They won't ask you much or even make acknowledgement that they've made eye contact. You know how we are in the states, a quick hello, flash a smile, or in the black community the headnod. Not here, they stare and say nothing. I keep doing my regular thing. A quick hello and a smile. I tend to start laughing. I really think it's that "bah humbug AMERICA/AMERICAN thing" and especially one who's not overweight and walks with an attitude like he runs the place. What really troubles me though is the reaction from the black community. I've seen this in Belgium and now really in the Netherlands. They stare because it is pretty obvious to them that you're not directly from the Muthaland or Caribbean but I still believe that the obligatory black headnod is universal. Not here. They look, look back at you and keep moving. I learned years ago that to really be an American in Europe you have to have and keep confidence or they will eat you alive.
The people here at The Poortgebouw are great. Couple of other Americans, French, Columbian, Turkish, Canadian etc... make up this place. Very non-traditional and open.
next blog: Easter weekend w/ the Belgium Avant-Garde (Antwerp and Oostende)
