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December 14, 2005

Why I like Amsterdam

There aren't many places in the world where a woman nearing 5'10" can be considered small. I walk into the MEXX store to try on a coat. Still trying to figure out European sizes I just grab any coat. The sales woman says to me, "that is the smallest size we have. It looks like it fits."

Next shopping experience is looking for gloves at the Albert Cuypmarkt near our flat. The sales man says, "try these on, they are a size small." Perfect fit.

I'm home!

Then there is our oven. I thought the position of it was a little odd being up so high but it was nice having it out of Britta's reach. Our babysitter is probably closer to the world average size and I saw her pulling a chair into the kitchen to get the pizza out of the oven. I didn't see how she faired with our taller than average counter tops either. I think they are probably around 4 inches higher than any kitchen counter I've seen in the States.

But the bathrooms are interesting. When Nick stayed this weekend I noticed he came downstairs to use the bathroom. I told him there is a bathroom upstairs and he said, "yes, but no toliet." I pointed out the toilet room and he laughed. He didn't think there was anyway a room so small could house a toilet. I'll never think of my American bathroom as small again.

Posted by jana at December 14, 2005 10:49 AM