Holland

So long, Amsterdam

We were only just getting acquainted with customs and life in the Netherlands, but all things must come to an end eventually. It was a solemn morning as we ate our last Dutch pancake and reminded each other that we'd seen and done so much great stuff, as if it were consolation for having to end our tour. As ever, I didn't manage to do half of what I'd planned. Nonetheless, I saw quite a lot of the country and culture, and had an adventure with my mates. I paid the bill for breakfast and strapped my pack on for the final journey home.

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Chocolates and church

I awoke today determined to visit that chocolatier I keep seeing - Puccini Bombini. John and I hopped on the bikes and sped off to the University area where it resided hoping to find it open. Hallelujah, it was open!

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Charmed in Jordaan

My mates wanted to take it slowly today. When I awoke this morning, I thought it was 1pm. I frantically threw on clothes determined to reclaim what was left of my day. Dan noted that it wasn't even 9am yet, I relaxed and put on some coffee and cereal. I guess they were right, we should take it easy. I threw out the option that we could visit Electric Ladyland in the Jordaan and it agreed with everyone's disposition.

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Rotterdam and back again

Before I tell this story, happy Earth Day. It was yesterday. I didn't forget, I just forgot to say it yesterday.

Now I can begin telling you about how Sunday was a bad day for Broek in Waterland, so we thought we could do it today (Monday). Monday is a day off for many Nederlanders and my outfitters are not open until Wednesday (in hindsight I forgot to check this detail). Instead we decided to go on a train ride. Brussels was expensive. For the price of a train to Brussels, we could have flown anywhere in the EU. Either way it was going to be more expensive and a longer journey.

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Cruisin' on a Sunday afternoon

It was Sunday, and we'd learned the night before from Matthius that everything pretty much shuts down on Sundays. Museums were still open, though, so we pointed our compasses to the Van Gogh museum, stopping along the way for lunch. After a toastie and beer, we went in to see the exhibit.

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Herrings, hash, and hussies

Got up late this morning. My circadian clock is still set to PST, I think. We dashed on our clothes and headed up to the dam so Dan could get his money (and he is blessed with victory). While he handles business, I trotted around Dam Square where carnival rides are spinning their gears in front of the royal palace. Across the street, pigeons and tourists flocked to the war memorial, so I did. While standing there, Busta Rhymes' tour bus pulls up and ten or fifteen bizness associates pour out looking bored with it all.

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Many rivers to cross

You can't plan for these things, so its best if you just roll with it. We have spent that last couple of days trying to get Dan's money to him in the form of cash. Western Union won't release your money to you unless the name on the wire matches your name EXACTLY as it is on your passport! Apparently a space or letter was out of place. So we need to contact the States to have that changed. Until then, we are budget traveling. The ironic thing is that he needed to shop for shoes, so off to Kalverstraat we went. He found a pair of trainers in no time. What can we do now?

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