We saw some beautiful parts of the city today and visited the Van Gogh Museum - awesome! We also found nice area with some wonderful cafes. The cafes seem to be busy from 10am until late, late evening. People seem to love to sit and watch other people for hours while they sip their beverage of choice. Very fun! We're having a great time with our friends from Broussard, LA and Atlanta!
Tomorrow afternoon we board the riverboat but for now we'll be heading out for another walk to on to dinner! After 6 hours of walking today my legs are pooped!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Day 2 in Amsterdam: We went to the Flower Market - lots of bulbs but one terrific spot where they sell fresh cut flowers. We had a great light breakfast at the Mart and then started our walk. At one point we had a route decision. Dave wanted to go a route we had taken a couple of times, I wanted to go a new route that would take us in a cicle to see new places but end up at the same place. After 5 minutes of negotiation...yes, that, we split the difference. We then walked back over to ....you guessed it...The Red Light District. If the red light is on, the girl is working. I, for one, have seen enough, but he had found the old part of the city and wanted to be able to give a quick tour to our friends. Here's an oddity, one of the oldest churches in Holland in in the middle of this district. Frankly, it was a bit scary at 9am. There were several packs of teenage boys roaming around. I was more concerned about what they had been doing all night, they weren't freshly scrubbed for mass. In fact, it felt more dangerous at that time of the morning than at 10pm. I'm sure I did not have my "cool look" on. I mean, we could not take a gang of teenage boys on. And as many times as I have seen a place that looks iffy at night look beautiful in the morning, this did not. Frankly, as I watched the bars and brothels open for the day, or never having been closed, I have wonder. As with many other European cities, the pubs and cafes are the social life, which I've always admired, but this seems different. You're probably wondering, "Where in the world are you people staying!". We're at a 5 star hotel in the center of the city!!! Not bad digs! But Amsterdam is different in terms of locations.
We started looking for lunch but soon realized that pubs only served grilled ham and cheese sandwiches! THAT WAS IT! These places were meant for beer and conversation - screw the food...I mean, no-one was eating and no signs of it - so different from the Copenhagen canal environment. And none of those looked like places that I would want to risk a meal!
So after a 1.45 hour quest we finally agreed to share some mini burgers and a beer. I was near killing someone because as you know, the 2 things that make me cranky are being tired and being hungry. Combine the two and I am deadly! I haven't mentioned that I'm going on 5 hours of sleep for the last 2 days...can't get the time zone change this time.
Our friends finally made it after a 7 hour delay. We met up and had a great dinner at an Argentine restaurant.. They continued on we came to back to rest. Tomorrow I'm insisting on real culture - Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House.
And, I'm working on my list of "yo's and no's", but not until I have left Amsterdam. I do want to have as much of a view as possible. In fairness, this is a world class city and I know we have only scratched the surface. I know that impressions are being made that will only be processed later.
I'm hoping to hook up my camera to Dave's netbook in the next couple of days and post pics..not sure yet if his software will work.
We started looking for lunch but soon realized that pubs only served grilled ham and cheese sandwiches! THAT WAS IT! These places were meant for beer and conversation - screw the food...I mean, no-one was eating and no signs of it - so different from the Copenhagen canal environment. And none of those looked like places that I would want to risk a meal!
So after a 1.45 hour quest we finally agreed to share some mini burgers and a beer. I was near killing someone because as you know, the 2 things that make me cranky are being tired and being hungry. Combine the two and I am deadly! I haven't mentioned that I'm going on 5 hours of sleep for the last 2 days...can't get the time zone change this time.
Our friends finally made it after a 7 hour delay. We met up and had a great dinner at an Argentine restaurant.. They continued on we came to back to rest. Tomorrow I'm insisting on real culture - Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House.
And, I'm working on my list of "yo's and no's", but not until I have left Amsterdam. I do want to have as much of a view as possible. In fairness, this is a world class city and I know we have only scratched the surface. I know that impressions are being made that will only be processed later.
I'm hoping to hook up my camera to Dave's netbook in the next couple of days and post pics..not sure yet if his software will work.
Bye Bye LA...Hello Amsterdam
We left LA at 2pm on Thursday and arrived in Amsterdam on Friday morning around 9am. It was pretty gray out but supposed to lift...so far it's still gray. The flight was uneventful...no passenger mis-behavior so I had nothing but my book and a movie for amusement. I had made the flight reservations back in Feb. After 3 weeks wrangling with Amex I was able to combine points from Dave's acct and mine giving us enough to upgrade to Business. Believe me, it makes a difference on a long haul flight!
The senior flight attendant was making her last flight back to Amsterdam (home). After 42 years of service she was retiring! And - she was still smiling! Maybe that had something to do with retirement! But it was so nice that they made a big deal about both in LA and when we landed!
Got to the hotel, checked in early, took a nap - sort of and headed out. First stop - Dave was leading the way was the Red Light district. My impressions......crowded, dirty and a bit seedy. It felt dangerous but it's supposedly heavily patroled. It was bizarre seeing these women in basically their individual glass store-fronts advertising their services. I know this culturally acceptable here but I felt sorry for them in a way. That's all I will say for now. I know we'll be back because the couple we are meeting up with want to go and probably at night. We then found an outdoor cafe to have our first Heiniken (sp). Tasty!
Next up, a different part of town and we ate dinner along the Main river. Then back to the hotel and bed. Unfortunately was a sleepless night for me. We're up and off to the florist mart and hopefully so pic taking then meeting our friends for lunch.
Hope to post some pics in a couple of days.
The senior flight attendant was making her last flight back to Amsterdam (home). After 42 years of service she was retiring! And - she was still smiling! Maybe that had something to do with retirement! But it was so nice that they made a big deal about both in LA and when we landed!
Got to the hotel, checked in early, took a nap - sort of and headed out. First stop - Dave was leading the way was the Red Light district. My impressions......crowded, dirty and a bit seedy. It felt dangerous but it's supposedly heavily patroled. It was bizarre seeing these women in basically their individual glass store-fronts advertising their services. I know this culturally acceptable here but I felt sorry for them in a way. That's all I will say for now. I know we'll be back because the couple we are meeting up with want to go and probably at night. We then found an outdoor cafe to have our first Heiniken (sp). Tasty!
Next up, a different part of town and we ate dinner along the Main river. Then back to the hotel and bed. Unfortunately was a sleepless night for me. We're up and off to the florist mart and hopefully so pic taking then meeting our friends for lunch.
Hope to post some pics in a couple of days.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I'M SO EXCITED!
"I just can't fight it...I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!!!" I don't know how to attach a clip of the song but you can just imagine me singing it! (But not in the shower :)) We're packed, having a pre-celebratory glass of wine and ready to go!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The bags are packed
Monday, July 25, 2011
It's VACATION Time!
Hello Blog,
Yes, I've neglected you. My writing mojo took a vacation of it's own. But, the time is at hand...we're "leavin' on a jet plane" this week for 3 weeks of vacation! We've been planning this trip since we completed the last and now it's here! So, the bags are packed, errands run, if I don't have it now I don't need it.
I'm looking forward to capturing the adventures of the next 3 weeks in writing and in photos!
Yes, I've neglected you. My writing mojo took a vacation of it's own. But, the time is at hand...we're "leavin' on a jet plane" this week for 3 weeks of vacation! We've been planning this trip since we completed the last and now it's here! So, the bags are packed, errands run, if I don't have it now I don't need it.
I'm looking forward to capturing the adventures of the next 3 weeks in writing and in photos!
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