Rehab is going very well. I have very little time for recreational writing though. I have had some fantastic mail. Thanks to everyone who has sent kind words and cards. I have enjoyed each one but I simply haven't had time to get back to everyone personally. Especially as when I go to compose a short note I get carried away and end up in writing a four or five page mini-epic. So I thought I'd pop some thoughts down here for those who haven't received anything personal yet.
To begin with this is a very hard and intensive program but, ultimately, I have had a hard and intensive drinking and drug-taking career. And I plan on having a hell of a life after this process is over. Right from the first day I've been woken up at 6:45am by someone ringing a handbell right outside my bedroom door. This is about as pleasant as it sounds. Then I have to go and attend 'meditation' at 7:30am. It's basically some time to reflect on why we're here and what's on that day - and a few 'prayers'. Don't freak out-it is not a religious program (as they tell us to say). Breakfast follows, which is my least favourite aspect of this whole affair. I sort of expected bacon and eggs to be available at some point but, alas, no. Cheese and ham do not please me - not for breakfast. Lectures and group therapy make up the rest of the morning. My group therapist was a fellow, an ex-professional cricketer, who just happens to be the brother of a quite formidable cricketer who has won the Cricket World Cup. Very interesting to say the least. Afternoon, for the previous six weeks has been a variety of events and programmes that I have been opting out of and going to have a proper sleep, three hours on average. I am incapable of 'napping'.
Cheese and ham and bread for breakfast does seem to please Dutch people which brings me nicely to the next main point. The vast majority of people here are from the Netherlands. This was strange at first but now I can't really imagine any other way this could be - I was also prepared for it by my good friend Lois Nicol. I have tried to get to the bottom of why this occurs here to no satisfactory outcome. I asked a staff member and she said "Well, we have lots of people from all over the world here, German, American..." - "Yes, but it can't have escaped your attention that around 90% of people here are Dutch?" "I don't really know the reason...". I was then told that Castle Craig have a administrative centre in Holland. Yes, but what came first, I asked. "I'm not sure". A tiny bit infuriating. The Dutch are not infuriating in fact they are very nice as one might expect. And yes, I am just saying that in case they read this. But I DO MEAN IT. As of today I am the only English person here. That's out of around 70. A smattering of Scotch people (they love being called Scotch I've learned) and the odd American. Interesting mix to say the least.
What's fascinating about the Dutch is that I have noticed they react favourably and suprisingly to inclines of any sort. I had a discussion with one chap where he was telling about a mountain he'd walked up that day, I corrected him "That's a hill, not a mountain." - "No that mountain, over there" he points. "Hill, mountain, whatever.." he continued. It's a fucking hill.
I am also pretty sure they don't have speedbumps in 'that there' Holland as they seem inordinately impressed by the existence of them here. I also sometimes have to translate food items into English. Most of the time this is straightforward. "Yeah, that's a sausage roll" "Ah, we call it saucizjenbroodjes". That makes sense. However, having to translate and explain Rice Krispie Squares was weird.There's really no other to describe and simplify the concept.
I have completed the first six weeks of treatment classified as Primary Care in the Intensive Treatment Unit. This meant I was mainly busy and had very little time for other things. Sleep was fairly important in my spare time. Now I've moved down to the Extended Care Unit. I share a house with 10+ guys. It's really good for me, so far. I was initially in a smaller house of five guys but I was sharing a room with a Dutchman. Horrific. Mainly for him I must admit. Sorry 'M'. There is a larger living room here which keeps me social while I do my homework and letter writing and the like. Or as I do this, right now. There's a lot more freedom here, essentially we are finished scheduled activity at 10:30am. Which leaves a fairly wide scope for arranging your work and leisure activities. Now I can pretty much sleep whenever I want I am choosing not to. It's a blast.
Right. I am holding up (predominantly Dutch) traffic on the information superhighway so this is all I can manage right now. I'm sure I will have more fascinating information to follow.
