Departure, Arrival and Life in Amsterdam

Missed a few days so am taking a few minutes to catch up on everything since we've been gone.



We left home on Tuesday, February 5, 2008. Our original plan was to fly from Dallas Ft. Worth to Frankfurt. From Frankfurt it was either a 3 hour train ride or a 1 hour plane ride, depending on what was available when we got to Frankfurt. Unfortunately in checking flights for those 1st class seats we demand, it wasn't looking good for Frankfurt. Quick change of plans & we were off to JFK airport in NYC. Three and a half hours in the air, 2 hours on the ground & we were off to Brussels. American no longer has first class overseas on any flights but London or Frankfurt. This was business class & was very nice.

The first hour and a half of the flight was filled with turbulence & bouncing. So much so that meal service was suspended as flight attendants had to stay seated. Not my favorite but we got through it. Finally had a nice meal, good wine & watched a movie (The Jane Austin Book Club) before sleeping on and off for a few hours. Declined breakfast when we were informed that due to the late dinner service breakfast would be served 2 hours after dinner was finished! Opted to try to sleep a little more instead.

We arrived in Brussels, cleared customs & went directly to the train station. With our 1st class EuroRail tickets in hand, we boarded the train. I love that the train had a 'real' conductor who came through & punched tickets. So cool! The first train took us to Brussels Nord Station where we changed trains for Amsterdam. The 2nd train took about 2 -1/2 hours & went to Amsterdam Central Station. Upon arrival, with bags in hand & directions to the apartment (& not finding bus #18 that would take us to the front of the apartment) we headed off on foot for the 15-20 (OK, 30 or so) minute walk. The weather was cool & cloudy but not cold. The cobblestone sidewalks provided a little bit of a challenge for our wheel bags but we managed. Fortunately Bob has a good sense of direction.....when they say turn at the canal, I just can't do it, all canals look alike. OK, I guess he read the signs on the streets but regardless, he can follow directions - my hero!

At the apartment, we entered the code to open the door & were greeted by very narrow, very steep steps. The first flight of stairs was bad enough, the second took us into total darkness with extremely winding narrow steps. 30 steps in all.....I always count stairs. Into the Marokko apartment. Marokko we assumed & were later told assumed correctly is Dutch for Morocco. The theme of the apartment is Moroccan....interesting considering this trip will include a visit to Morocco & was the original intent of the entire adventure!

The apartment is very nice. Big windows that face a busy sidewalk, canal & street. There is activity going on all the time. Herons (we're told there are 5 of them) jumping all over the cars parked below, houseboats on the canal, bikes everywhere, buses & people going by at all hours. You can sit & people watch for hours.

The apartment is fairly large & has everything. A table & chairs for eating (& blogging), wireless internet, sleeper couch, TV, DVD, separate bedroom, kitchen with washer dryer (same unit!), stove, microwave, dishwasher (on the bottom of the stove!), refrigerator. The bathroom is very small. If you drop the soap while you're in the shower it is not easy to retrieve it but the water is hot & plentiful. The bed has a nice down comforter and is king sized. The first two nights we've managed to sleep 12+ hours so I'd say the bed is fine!

The kitchen was well stocked when we arrived - cheese, bread, meat, wine, milk, fruit, yogurt, tea, coffee, eggs, butter, cookies, nuts, cokes, beer - enough for a small meal or two & lots of snacks. There was also a gorgeous bouquet of tulips to greet us.

Shortly after we arrived, Allen came to greet us. We assume he works in the building. He lives on the 4th floor & had been one of our contacts prior to arrival. He showed us the ropes & told us where to find him if we needed anything. After Allen left we decided we were awake enough & hungry enough to go in search of food. Knowing we could get to the Hard Rock Cafe & that they would be serving meals at any time of day we headed that direction. We are staying in a different area of the city than we nornally do - in the Jordaan district. This is very much a residential area with small shops, places to eat, bars all along the neighborhood. Not knowing the area, we opted to walk the 35 minutes or so to what we knew. After a nice dinner (ahhh food!!) we stopped at a druggist for toiletries. It was really very cool shopping for them & feeling like we actually live here....if only for awhile! Back to the apartment, up the winding stairs & tried to read for a little while. Did not last long & I at least was asleep by 7:00 at the latest. Did not get out of bed until after 12:00 yesterday! But, I must say, I was awake for about 3 hours during the night, just couldn't stay asleep. Of course, as the sun came up, I fell asleep!

Around noon there was a knock at the door. Allen had lugged the 25 pound box of clothes that Fed Ex delivered up the stairs to us. YEAH - everything got here! Shipping the box of things was a great idea!

We had scrambled eggs, coffee & toast for 'linner' before heading out for a walk & in search of the market. We never did not find the recommended grocery store but another one sufficed for what we needed. Bought some wine, cheese & bread, along with a few other odds & ends & came home to have a light dinner.

We met Bruce, one of the owners of the apartment building & someone we had corresponded with in setting up the rental when he stopped by after work. He had a glass of wine with us before heading back to his apartment. He grew up in Annapolis & has lived here for many years. His mother is Dutch but lives in the states.

Managed to stay awake until about midnight last night - reading a book called Hollywood Station by Joseph Wambaugh, an author I used to read a lot & have really enjoyed in the past. This morning did not start early....again, managed to stay awake for a few hours during the night & fall asleep at sunrise. Did get out of bed by 10:00 though which is at least a little better. We've had coffee, bread, fruit & meat, the sun is shining & my computer says it's 45 degrees at just past noon. I think it's time to head outside to 'play' and Wilson is demanding to see the city.