I arrived at my room on September 1st in Maastricht. Maastricht is a great city were there are people from all across the world to further their education. For once in my life I have came to a place were people are not passing judgements about everyone they pass. They don't say hey to everyone they they come across like they do in Sweet Home Alabama, but I do believe they respect others more.

They have strong wordly views as well. It is very common to find me in a bar debating with a Dutch guy about Bush. I have noticed that the Dutch press and many other areas around here talk bad about America. We only get one sided view and for the most part it's postive. I have came to the conclusion that we are probably somewhere in the middle. I am not saying that Bush is right, but I believe Kerry would have been worse. I think Bush could have acted alittle faster in New Orleans, but I am not president so I dont know. If Pedro runs next elextion I will vote for him.

One thing that I like here is they get channels from all across Europe and America too. So they get different sides of the stories where we only get one. That also makes them more avaible to other languages. I have a strong red neck accent and people here say I sound like Forrest Gump. I had one class full of Dutch girls that said I sounded like a cowboy though (I had to pop my collar). I prefer a cowboy over Forest Gump. Everyone here knows at least Dutch and English, but it's uncommon for me to find someone that only knows 2 languges. A lot of people know 3 or 4 and I met one girl from here that knows 8. Everyone knows English, but no one can understand me. I guess I have to strong of an accent.

The classes here are harder, but the teacher are more relaxed. In many of my classes there is a debate at the end. A teacher picks a topic and everyone states their opinions. It's not like open your books to page 134 and read. They actually get involved in the class and have a better way of teaching class. They also do a lot of field studies. That is where students get in a group and they may record a video of interviewing people on a certain topic in the city.

Another thing that I love here is instead of driving everywhere people ride bikes. Everything is close together here in the city. It is cheaper then spending a lot of money on gas. They also have busses and trains that goes everywhere. That keeps people from drinking and driving. They also have cheap flights. I can get a round trip flight out to Berlin for 40 euros and stay in a room for 12 euros. Each euro  is about 1.25 in dollars. Some of the food products are alittle more expensive, but some other things are cheaper. I bought a bike for 30 euros and a gym membership for 111 euros. I can get everywhere I need to go in like 10 mintues on a bike and I can take a bus to the train station. From a train I can get just about anywhere in Europe.

At night for fun in Maastricht everyone goes to the city center. I can get there in about 10 mintues from my room and its just a bunch of bars and clubs close together. There is alot of people there 7 days a week. Some people drink and some don't. Each bar has a dance floor and they play music all night. People are out here dancing have a good time and meeting knew people. It's great I met a lot of Americans, Belgiums, Germans, Dutch, French, Turkish, and many more. I came here kinda speaking one language, but not the proper way. I will leave speaking 5 different languges or atleast I hope I leave my red neck accent here. They enjoy the red neck accent a little more then other people in Amercia though. Everyone calls me Alabama here. The guys from here that I met last year at UNA still call me "do what" though.

I love it here. I miss a lot of people at home, but I am enjoying my stay here. On Thursday I am going Liege in Belgium. I met four guys at UNA that live there and I will get to see them again. I am meeting with Bas, Bas and Kevin tonight down at the city center.