I left Orlando on August 1. I was using frequent flyer miles so I had to travel to NYC, Helsinki and finally to Amsterdam. I was on the road 27 hours (I've done longer). I really got to know the Finnair lounges in Helsinki.
Finnair's business class seats are narrower then others, but are almost completely flat, so sleeping was easy.
When I arrived in Amsterdam (late of course) I took the train to the Central Station and then a tram to my hotel. The lobby was closed (not my normal 4 star hotel), but there was a sign on the door for everyone to read - "Sandy, push this button and I will meet you." Everyone was waiting for Sandy to show up. I guess they were waiting for someone a lot younger.
I went to sleep without any dinner. The next morning I woke up, tired, but somewhat refreshed. I got dressed and went to the breakfast room, but I realized that my watch was upside down. It was 3:00am, not 9:00am. So back to bed I went.
I've been to Amsterdam many times, so today I just wandered the city. The pictures below describe my adventure.
I remember the first time I came to Amsterdam in the early 1970s, and brought a bunch of tulip bulbs home. I hope they are still blooming in my house in Sharon, Mass.
And of course, I saw lots of windmills.
And those cute ceramic wooden shoes.
This is the tram I took to my hotel. The tram system makes it so easy to get around.
Here's one of they typical street scenes in Amsterdam.
How many of you remember the Horn and Hardart Automats in NYC? Well they have them in Amsterdam.
There are lots of dead bikes in Amsterdam. The city should really get rid of most of the rusted bikes, to make room for new abandoned ones.
"And some people go both ways." Do you remember this quote?
And who can help me pronounce this?
And here I am in Amsterdam. Guess what beer I had with my lunch?
The canals are loaded with boats to take on a day cruise along the canals. I don't think I'll pick this one.
I tried pushing a few apartment buttons, but no one let me in. Just joking.
This is a very typical picture of a canal house.
And this is a shopping mall. All the clothes was 50-70% off, and still very expensive.
Someone is getting ready for the gay pride parade. I really hope the event is as amazing as I've heard.
And as usual, I take lots of balcony flower pictures. Aren't these tulips amazing for August?
My task for the day was to find a cycling shirt that had Amsterdam on it. I probably walked five miles, and found it at the last store I was going to. So when I go home, I'll be able to ride my bike with another city I've visited.
No, this is not the bike I'm going to ride. This one looks like the one used by Elvira Gulch in the Wizard of Oz. I hope Margaret Hamilton can access the web and see this picture. I'm sure she is still drinking Maxwell House coffee, which I still won't drink today.
The city is covered with gay pride flags like this one.
Well its been a long day, and I'm really happy that there is a computer in my hotel room. There isn't any ice, so I'm having a warm cocktail.
I hope I can update my blog daily. Tomorrow I'll take a train outside of Amsterdam. You will find out where, when I know.
Finnair's business class seats are narrower then others, but are almost completely flat, so sleeping was easy.
When I arrived in Amsterdam (late of course) I took the train to the Central Station and then a tram to my hotel. The lobby was closed (not my normal 4 star hotel), but there was a sign on the door for everyone to read - "Sandy, push this button and I will meet you." Everyone was waiting for Sandy to show up. I guess they were waiting for someone a lot younger.
I went to sleep without any dinner. The next morning I woke up, tired, but somewhat refreshed. I got dressed and went to the breakfast room, but I realized that my watch was upside down. It was 3:00am, not 9:00am. So back to bed I went.
I've been to Amsterdam many times, so today I just wandered the city. The pictures below describe my adventure.
I remember the first time I came to Amsterdam in the early 1970s, and brought a bunch of tulip bulbs home. I hope they are still blooming in my house in Sharon, Mass.
And of course, I saw lots of windmills.
And those cute ceramic wooden shoes.
This is the tram I took to my hotel. The tram system makes it so easy to get around.
Here's one of they typical street scenes in Amsterdam.
How many of you remember the Horn and Hardart Automats in NYC? Well they have them in Amsterdam.
There are lots of dead bikes in Amsterdam. The city should really get rid of most of the rusted bikes, to make room for new abandoned ones.
"And some people go both ways." Do you remember this quote?
And who can help me pronounce this?
And here I am in Amsterdam. Guess what beer I had with my lunch?
The canals are loaded with boats to take on a day cruise along the canals. I don't think I'll pick this one.
I tried pushing a few apartment buttons, but no one let me in. Just joking.
This is a very typical picture of a canal house.
And this is a shopping mall. All the clothes was 50-70% off, and still very expensive.
Someone is getting ready for the gay pride parade. I really hope the event is as amazing as I've heard.
And as usual, I take lots of balcony flower pictures. Aren't these tulips amazing for August?
My task for the day was to find a cycling shirt that had Amsterdam on it. I probably walked five miles, and found it at the last store I was going to. So when I go home, I'll be able to ride my bike with another city I've visited.
No, this is not the bike I'm going to ride. This one looks like the one used by Elvira Gulch in the Wizard of Oz. I hope Margaret Hamilton can access the web and see this picture. I'm sure she is still drinking Maxwell House coffee, which I still won't drink today.
The city is covered with gay pride flags like this one.
Well its been a long day, and I'm really happy that there is a computer in my hotel room. There isn't any ice, so I'm having a warm cocktail.
I hope I can update my blog daily. Tomorrow I'll take a train outside of Amsterdam. You will find out where, when I know.
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