Magpie: Singing in the Rain

That's right folks.... I've been here in the land of orange tulips, orange clogs and orange rugby scarves in July (yes - July!) for a grand total 16 days now and it's only the 3rd day we've caught even the slightest glimpse of sunshine. I blame the Brits, really ... They say it's a front from over the pond. Evidently, bad luck travels in jet streams ... really now? Who knew? So greetings gents and gent-ettes. I've started this blog - my first ever! - to keep me sane and to keep all of you who are too far past any hope of sanity to keep you apprised of my progress. I know, I know - you don't believe a word of that about my sanity, and rightly so. I've never been a very good liar. My ears go all red and blow my cover straight away.

So today got off to a grand start. It poured all morning long, and I left my umbrella on the train. Brilliant, huh? I was finally given the office bike today, as my counterpart officially left on maternity leave. I walked it all the way to the train station for 2 reasons: 1) Because I wasn't entirely certain I knew how to get to the train station, this being my first true day left all on my own; and 2) because - as I found out half-way there when I got up the courage to hop on - the bike is entirely too tall for me.

This, of course, is a constant theme in this land of long-legged lovelies. I can't buy pants, I can't get on the bikes, and my feet don't reach the floor when I sit on the toilet. Yes, you read that correctly. Yes, I'll wait while you go back and read it again to be sure I really said that. It's fine, really. I'm just in the market for a good footstool. (The Truck is making bad puns with that last bit now, but it's to be expected, so we'll forgive her.)

I have managed to secure an address in what is reputed to be the most lovely part of the city. I'm right in the middle of the Canal district, with two canals running on either end of my street. It's full of fantastic views, lovely restaurants, and one of the most charmingly fantastic outdoor markets I've ever had the pleasure to stroll through on a Saturday afternoon, rain or no rain. My apartment has a small little balcony, not large enough to put a chair on, but with a fantastic view overlooking the terraces and gardens of the apartments that surround my own.

As I type this, two magpies are squabbling in the gigantic tree just outside my window. It's full daylight at 8:30 in the evening and even though it's raining again, the sun is still shining. I'll try to write here on a regular basis but for now, won't you join me on the balcony to watch it rain on Amsterdam?