Of butter, bikes, cheese and change.

So, 'Day 3'. Ventured outside the house on the bike today, trying to get my bearings and utilise the excellent and extensive cycling path network. I'm slowly finding the little differences between 'cultures' and convention.

Cycling seems to be a common habit throughout much of the population of Amsterdam, most bikes (including the one I'm using) built for practicality, rather than speed. I need to find an Allen-key somewhere too, the seat's about an inch too high for me; which brings me to the fact that I feel somewhat short compared to the general population here.*

On the way back to the house I stopped into the local supermarket (primarily to obtain washing powder) and, passing by the dairy section, noticed that all the 'butter' wasn't really butter but margarine, animal fat, or vegetable oil-based spread. I nipped across the way to the other (slightly posher) grocery and eventually found some, high on the shelf and depleted in stock. Unable to tell if it was salted (there were two kinds), I bought them both. Sampling them back at the house it seemed they were both unsalted (although one was organically produced, it seems).

Nearby the butter, the cheese counter seemed to be stocked with all manner of Gouda. Being unable to read Dutch, and thus deduce how 'strong' (or aged) the different varieties were and that either asking the staff or looking up the translation would be spoiling what fun there might be in finding out by trial-and-'error', I resolved to gradually work my way through them.

I had read that in the Netherlands (and Finland), 1 and 2 cent pieces aren't minted (although they remain legal tender) and thus values and change are rounded off at checkout. Being rather cynical (at times), I assumed that they would always be rounded up, but was heartened by my receipt of 35 cents change from €10 (for a bill of €9.66).

The butter came in handy; having found Marmite in the cupboard (and the supermarket) I rediscovered the wonders of Marmite and toast, flicked on the television to discover the snooker was on (brought back memories of grandparents and exam 'revision' periods).

Marmite, snooker, it's rather like being in Britain. I promise more Dutch culture and, hopefully, adventures will be forthcoming!

*Looking up the average height by country on the interwebs Male/Female:

UK: 176.8 cm (5' 9.6") / 163.7 cm (5' 4.4") [16-24, 2006 report]

Netherlands: 184.8 cm (6' 0.8") / 168.7 cm (5' 6.4") [20-30, 2004 report]