I ain't Leiden: Orientation

It was about 27-28 when I left for orientation yesterday morning. I was running late so I didn't have time to make coffee but I've found that riding through the Dutch freezer is a good substitute for caffeine. Orientation went well as I was able to get an idea of how things work at the law school, including the bizarre way they sign up for classes. There are separate registrations for courses, work groups and lectures despite them all being the same thing. Of course they don't all match up as some classes show up on one of the lists and not on another. You also have to register separately for exams, which seemed like a good idea until they told us that there is only one available time for each exam, giving me 4 in 3 days. Oh well.

The diversity of the international students is pretty incredible. I met kids from what seems like every country on earth including New Zealand, Somalia, South Korea and Iraq. There are also quite a few Americans in the program, more than any other country, evidence that law school in the states is worth escaping.

My other roommate arrived and while her English isn't great, she seems nice. Her room is right above the den (where I've been sleeping on a couch because it's the only warm room in the house) and from the sound of it, I think her favorite hobby must be moving furniture.

Our landlord stopped by today to introduce himself and check the gas meters. He's probably in his 70s and spoke fairly good English. When I walked into the room, he said, "Ah the American! You, Obama!" I was a little confused and he said, "You look like him!" I didn't really know how to respond so he explained, "You're long like him, and have (motions to face) smooth skin." I really couldn't make this stuff up. Uncomfortable, I said, "ah...well I don't have as a good of a tan." No reaction from landlord. Just looked at me, or at my skin at least. Yikes.