Bags are being packed, checklists are being reviewed, and it's almost that time to take off on my new adventure to study abroad in Delft, Netherlands. For two weeks I shall be observing transportation practices used around the area in hopes of being able to apply something to my future designs (when I actually get to the point where I have a career). Since I grew up in areas that were designed based on automobiles, I'm looking forward to experiencing a transportation system that involves a heavier emphasis on bicycling. In my current state of mind, I couldn't imagine riding a bike for most of the trips I make around my home area in my comfortable car. We'll see if that changes after this trip.
This will be my first time leaving the country (other than a short trip across the border into Canada back in 1998), so I'm starting to feel a little nervous. I keep meaning to pick up a small notepad for, well, notes and a book that has some travel information and phrases in Dutch (like "where is the bathroom?", "where can I buy a cup of coffee?", or "no thanks, I'm married"), but each time I go to the store they slip my mind. I've heard that most people in the Netherlands speak English, though I've never seen a negative aspect to being over prepared.
So far in preparation for the trip I've picked up a power adapter so I can plug in my electronics, double-checked my laptop's power cord to make sure it can handle the increased voltage, and cleaned up my laptop's hard drive. It will be my link to everything back home for the two weeks I'm in class, so I better baby it to make it last. I also picked up a travel chess set and Jane Jacob's The Death and Life of Great American Cities (link) for those moments I am not in class or using my computer. Over the next day or two I plan on packing the less important things, such as my clothing and toiletries.
