AMSTERDAM!...

...is a really cool place. I enjoyed our time, however short, getting to explore the famous Dutch city. One of the things that really struck me there was the bicyclists. I was aware before going there that they would definitely be numerous. I think I was warned something along the lines of "Be careful of the bicycles - people will run you over." That's definitely something we all experienced there.

However, homicide by bicycle aside - I truly am impressed by the way the Dutch utilize bicycles so much. It's really nice to see something like this. In general it's a healthy habit, but that's not just to say so for a person's body - it's healthy for the environment as it truly is carbon-neutral and it's wallet-healthy as it's the only vehicle that gets "∞ mpg" as I read on a nifty tee-shirt once.
I really hope this is a habit I can pick up when I get back to Clemson - it's refreshing, and I can certainly use a few extra bucks in my wallet!

Also, look, not all cyclists are terribly mean-spirited. How cute!:

And on a final random side note: that sushi was the bomb!

Hey wall...it's me again. 

Just got back from the Netherlands and this travel train just keeps on a moving. Next stop...Spring Break Station.  

Of course, there's a storm a coming here in Barcelona, a BIG ONE. Wednesday night is going to be rough sailing. Drawing sections till the break of dawn. 

Thursday night however, smooth sailing. We leave for Dublin, then Berlin, then Milan, and finally good ole Paris! (i hear it's nice there)

Why the sailing analogy you ask?...because all this traveling makes me feel like ODYSSEUS! Trip after trip, tale after tale, some trials and tribulations, a few heroic battles, but in the end this whole semester is going to be one big Epic Journey! A lot has been discovered so far...but even more is still unkown...where will this journey end? Only time will tell

On a more architectural note:

The architecture in Amsterdam was incredibly inspiring. The city is certainly a unique place full of impressive architectural accomplishments. I found the use of materials there to be especially interesting. I also appreciate the experimental mindset of the architecture there and the acceptance of new ideas. I think that it is this mentality that allows new ideas to arise there and actually become what the architect intended. It is an ideal work environment for a designer aspiring to do new and innovative things with his work. 

It’s been one week since we got back from Amsterdam, but it feels like we were there so long ago. I guess in a way I’m glad because I feel like our semester is winding down and I just don’t want this experience to end too soon. Being in the Netherlands was incredible, and the people were actually very friendly. The only bad part was that it was freezing and rainy, but at least the positive outweighed the negative.

My favorite part was Almere and seeing the housing on top of the commercial buildings. It felt as though you were actually at ground level when we went outside on the roof terrace to see the housing. The housing in Amsterdam was very interesting too and I enjoyed seeing how different architect’s handled the space within each lot. I have been thinking that I would like to go into residential architecture so it was really inspiring to see these different works.

Next week is independent travel and I am so excited and overwhelmed at the same time! I’ve never had to plan a whole trip by myself, and even though I’m not traveling alone its different than having travel plans with a class where everything is laid out for you. It should be interesting to see how well we can get around and hopefully we’ll get to see everything important. Especially the Eiffel Tower… in London… hahaha

the welcoming spirits and hospitable actions of the dutch were very nice interjections to the usual experience we encounter in barcelona. from the sound of english to a wave to a light for your magical herb, the people of amsterdam were very accepting of the american tourists.

the sites observed in amsterdam were just as beautiful as the people. they were genuine, aesthetically pleasing, and functional. you could tell that the inhabitants loved life and life loved them back. the architecture was sort of majestic. it possessed magnificence, but not for self-fulfillment. in many countries, it seems that architecture is to be some sort of status symbol and the more elegant and elaborate it is, the more of a pompous people you are. in amsterdam, i believe the architecture represented the love the people had for life. they built out of pleasure and as a expressive art form. i could be one hundred percent incorrect, but these are simply first impressions of the space.

as i continue the reading of human nature and existence, i am glad that i was able to enter the realm of yet another interesting body of people. my independent travels and further life travels will continue to complete the puzzle.

As we walked and biked through Amsterdam, one thing that surprised me was how much housing we stopped to look at on our tours. It was really interesting to me that they have preserved the historical district of Amsterdam and have built islands on which to put more housing. The row of houses on the first island we visited where each plot owner got to design their own house really intrigued me. The simple yet bold moves on each house made the entire row interesting and fun. I really liked seeing all of the "experimental" architecture in Amsterdam. Even though we didn't make it to Rotterdam on our free day, the Anne Frank museum was probably one of my favorite things that we saw there.



On another note, it's hard to believe that we only have 3 weeks of school left! After going skiing this weekend, I feel like each moment is valuable in Spain because who knows when I'll be back. Seeing the views at the top of the mountain was breathtaking and awesome. Getting to see other parts of Spain and experience them-what more could you ask for? I feel like time is slipping away and I don't want to waste any of it. Spring break is already here! I will be leaving at 9:45am on Saturday to go to our first city-Zurich and I can't wait to explore more of Europe!

tres semanas mas

so, with only three more weeks of class more and more thoughts have come to mind, like where the hell did this semester go to? b/c it does not seem like i've been here for this long. though the curriculum has been hellacious and the times hard, i can't say that i regret ever coming here. the learning experiences and the overall success of studio has proven to be some of the most intensive things in my life. and though i've continually forgotten to post things during the appropriate times, none of the experiences here will be forgotten and in the words of mr claiborne tucker, better late than never.