How it feels to be in Groningen

Groningen: My lifetime experience!

It was August, some years ago, when I first arrived in Groningen. I still remember getting off the train, with a map in my hands, looking for my new home location. I would spend 6 months in that city for my Erasmus studies and everything seemed so strange in the beginning.

The first impression determined everything. I felt I was playing in a movie when I had to cross a forest to get to my new home. The next morning, the discovery trip had already begun. I took my rented bike and started to explore the city. Everything in this city is so into "nature". The route from the student house to the city center and the University camp was full of forest landscapes, artistic corners and beautiful, well maintained houses. People in Groningen seem to love their city and take care of everything. Their calmed life style was also infected everywhere, from their driving to the servicing of supermarket employees. I loved this sensation of calm and serenity.

I really found the magic of this city when me and my friends started a bicycle ride to Hoornsemeer lake. I suggest if you ever visit Groningen, go to the lake in the evening. I call this the "Perfect hour". You will be amused by the colours of the sky reflected on the lake, or the breeze while passing through the meadows.

Having fun is the easiest part in Groningen. People were getting dressed all around the year. The best part of the city to have fun in the mornings is its Grote Markt. Shops, street events, flea markets delighted me everytime I visited. For nightwalkers, there are a lot of pubs near Grote Markt. I suggest Palm Beach for those who don't want to spend so much, but want to spend a great night dancing and laughing.

The words will be never enough to describe everything I saw and felt during my experience. Hope my pictures give you a part of this magic called Groningen.

Photo gallery