Smells like European

Groningen was nice little city (unfortunately my camera died the second I turned it on so refer to others' pictures for evidence). It has several bustling markets, cloaking the area in an aroma of fries, sweets, and fish (worthy of salivation, take my word for it). There were shops and museums, laid out the way most charming European towns are (at least where Communism didn't strike, can't vouch for the charm of those). It was actually almost 3 hours away, thus the opportunity for hillbilly-status. Before we went to Groningen, we stopped over in Drenthe which is known for its retirement community and its hunebeden park. Hunebeden are stone age people who roamed around the Netherlands, Germany, and Sweden. Apparently, the remains from the things they made are older than Stone Hedge and the Pyramids. Yeah, it was as interesting as it sounds...but it was pretty curious how important it was/is to certain people. It was a short detour, so it didn't make much difference. After a couple of hours in Groningen, we ventured off to our hostel. There was only about ten of us (a group of 30ish came, but didn't feel like staying the night). It was a traditional hostel layout, bunk beds, lockers, everything about camp and high school I never experienced. It was only a bother when coming back from going out. We came in to a room of sleeping people, tip-toeing to our beds which creak with the slightest breath. Also, somebody smelled awful. Was it a German? Frenchie? The results were inconclusive, but the experience was unappreciated. The Groningen nightlife lived up to its reputation. A lot of bars and clubs everywhere, packing in and getting lively after midnight and staying that way well after 6. I only stayed out till 2 (we walked all day, as usual with day trips) but it was fun. The breakfast was exceptionally good (they had yogurt and granola) and the train ride was really pleasant (now I know what people mean when they talk about nice train rides).

Coming home was nice and getting on my bike felt...right--even though once on it I was so tired and dazed I had no idea what I was doing. I can't remember what came flying at me, tram, bird? Oh well.