I was thinking of my experiences in Amsterdam & thought of this great scene. We were sitting at an outdoor cafe, being regaled by our waiter who fancied himself some sort of comedian, about his international visitors. He was the one who told me that he always asks if people are Canadian first so that if they are Canadian & not American, they won't be insulted. Again, hey, thanks a lot!! He was making some stereotypical assumptions that were frankly not very funny when one of his other customers started tweeting like a bird. Next, another waiter made owl sounds. Then our waiter started barking until our entire corner sounded like a cacaphony of various animals coming from waiters & patrons alike. A woman walks by, stops, & starts making cuckoo clock sounds along with the associated arm gestures & eyes rolling. This just cracked everyone up & I started applauding. Everyone else joined in & we created quite the scene--even people down in the canal stopped to see the commotion. Only in Amsterdam--Damn! Loved that city!!
Very cool day. Instead of taking the big tour boats I had researched a bit & found this very cool boat that you have to go sign up for in person a day ahead of time. The hotel I'm in is in the old center of the city, near to the Red-Light District. St. Nick's Boat Club; http://www.amsterdamboatclub.com/, is in Leidseplein, a bit south & west of where I am staying. Maybe about 2 miles away. We walk down down to Boom Chicago; a comedy club where, under the stairs, is a little book where you sign up for a boat. This group encourages everyone to bring food, drink, & be merry while we see yet another side of this multi-layered city. A far more intimate look at the canals is provided--slower, longer--a chance to glance into the houseboats & view people's lives. The big canal cruises miss the smaller, quiter canals. I highly recommend this tour!
I have done a ton of walking for this trip--that is a very good thing, not just the health aspect--it's easy to do it here--everybody walks or rides a bike for the most part. I have found that one of the few times we hailed a cab, I have felt something intrinsically missing from not walking the route--is it the very pungent smell that seems to be the backbone of this city or is it the enmeshed interactions on the streetcorners, cafes, coffeehouses, & on bikes. The things people do here on their bikes! It is unbelieveable. Riding with cell phones to their ears & not a helmet in sight. Girls perched on the back of their boyfriend's bike as he whips around the corner, women in 4-inch heels! Even riding down the road with a beer to their lips--Amstel & not Light--the real stuff.
Next was the Rijksmuseum--Rembrandt & Vermeer--the height of the Dutch East India Company. And finally, the Torture Museum--a little out of the way nugget of a museum that seem to be all over the city. There's even a Vodka Museum here.
I must admit, I've become enamored with this city. Tomorrow I leave it for two days to explore Brussels. And then back to a day in Amsterdam on Friday--our last one. I am excited about the Thalys--the hi-speed train.
I just can't believe it! Here I sit thousands of miles away from home, typing this about my day. Truly amazing. My mom was right--I LOVE this city. Earlier, sitting at a sidewalk cafe, sipping wine & watching the humanity go by. The bikes & the horse-and-carriage, the way people dress that is so vastly different than in the states. Plenty of lovely eye-candy for women too, by the way. I love listening to the language as well--kind of a shushing sound--I think far less guttural than German. We order Bitterballen--terribly bad for you but the Dutch answer to comfort food.
Earlier in the day when we arrived, our room wasn't ready so we had a few hours to kill before we could settle in. No worries--off we go to see the lay of the land. We sit in a little cafe & a guy comes & sits with us. Turns out he's from Germany--Jents, I think. He had such a skewed view of the United States. It was just comical--like CSI or something. He was truly charming. The rest of the day was spent wandering the streets near the hotel: we are on the edge of the red-light district so needless to say, there was plenty to see.
After freshening up--we decide to go eat Chinese--a wonderful place called Nam Kee. After, we wander rather aimlessly but it was just so cool to be part of this bustling place.
On tomorrow's agenda: a canal boat ride & then the Van Gogh Museum. How much fun!
And if you love the girl man,
light up a torch
Blaze a trail to her front porch
Kiss her til your lips are scorched
Til the rain comes down on youBless your sweet mistakes,
That crumble you down to your knees. That brought you to this place Changing you by degrees...
When change was just what you needed... What you needed...
--Ellis Paul--Sweet Mistakes
Of course all shit breaks loose just before I leave for Amsterdam. Just when I'd begun to think it wasn't possible to actually meet a man outside of the contrived website dating extravaganza, I meet someone the old-fashioned way..through common interest--wine. We have been dancing around one another for about a year now. And last week when he saw me with another man (the one who's taking me to Amsterdam), he just couldn't leave it alone. He comes over for a visit & brings dinner from the place we both really like. I open a bottle of Pinot Noir---Soter 2005 from Oregon(yes I actually DO drink Oregon Pinots, believe it or not!). And well...no. not THAT. But we do discuss the attraction & he does ask me to wait a few weeks while he works some stuff out--bad break-up, etc. Here it is: the "knocks the wind out of me" feeling--the one I haven't felt since the bull. Both of our hearts racing, the line above: "kiss her til your lips are scorched." Wow.
And now, with the guy who is amazing enough to take me to Amsterdam, what now? He says he doesn't have expectations beyond companionship & adult conversation, but....he doesn't rock my world.... yet....I guess he might grow on me & I really MUST give him a chance. Dare I comment again; the nice guy. But my wine drinking friend is also a nice guy...with the edge I think I like...all I can say now is....WOW, what a ride!
you only live once! I'm leaving for Amsterdam in 8 days. It has been a dating blitz since my kid was deposited at camp (received the shortest letter--5 lines) and one of my dates ( a very nice father of 3) offered to take me to Amsterdam. Yes, I know it's crazy and I may be insane for accepting, but when will I have the opportunity to go on an all-expenses paid trip to Amsterdam again? Huh? Huh? Like NEVER!!! Therefore, against my mommy's warnings but with the blessings of my BFFs, my sis, and even my principal at my school, I am going. And yes, I do have rules that must be adhered to or I will not go. Rest assured that everyone & his brother will know where I am--laptop comes with--gotta blog next to the canal! OMG!! I can't believe I'm even considering....so anyone who thinks I'm certifiable--you may be right, but as I said, "you're only given one life--gotta dance!"
Another new date tonight--should be interesting--I'm quite sure that he won't be offering me a trip somewhere though--his car died so I'm driving. Never a dull one!
Racing this weekend--Corsica River & back--going on an old Triton--experienced crew & opportunity to learn other positions besides pit. I see a positive learning experience ahead. Sounds like a nice party as well but I don't anticipate drinking like I did when I was at Miles.
