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Published: August 25th 2009
bikes!!!!!!!!
the following photos are all of Amsterdam, luckily I had saved these to a memory stick to take to Internet cafe!On our arrival at Amsterdam, we were shuttled off for a canal tour - what a busy waterway system! This is only rivaled by the bicycle riding, parking, and avoiding of said bikes. Even in Vietnam, although there were so many bicycles, they stuck to the road and parking happened somewhere else. Here, they ride on everything, roads, bikepaths, footpaths, bridges, and if they could ride on water they would ride the canals. The bikes are mostly fairly basic, big handlebars and seats, with various attachments such as two children’s seats, something like a wheelbarrow, or a little cabin on the back. Mostly, a couple of extra seats and a basket. Motor bikes and small cars also drive anywhere, it is one of the most chaotic traffic situations I have come across (and that includes Ho Chi Min city!!!!. Betty Michael and I arrived at our hotel on Prinsengracht (most used canal) and they opened the door with a rope from upstairs (I said I was going to kill Betty - the stairs were almost straight up and tiny) they condescended to send someone down to pick up the bags!
We had purchased a 96 hour train, tram, metro and
ferry ticket, so we started by finding out the layout of the city. A lot of wandering around, seeing various places and just meandering on trams was done. The thing that stands out is the people -everyone is so friendly, they talk to you on trams and tell you where you are and what is happening. Everyone is keen to be helpful - and want to know about our trip.
On our travels we found a post office (for me to send home some more stuff!) and a flea market and so many nice parks - one in particular was at the end of the tram line and was like wetlands with so many birds. Once you get our of the tourist areas, it is very much a league of nations, with a strong Muslim contingent. On our travels we came across a lovely windmill (photo to follow) and wandered in only to find to our chagrin, that it was private property and the poor owners were outside having a quiet wine and these three aussies walked up the pathway - after apologizing profusely, we caught the bus back to the city and indulged in a pizza and beer
dinner.
Betty and I went to see the house that Anne Frank went into hiding and wrote her diary. I had read this as a child and was moved by the plight of the Dutch Jews, as with all those who have suffered because of war. It was only in recent years that I have been able to experience the sites of these tragedies - from Thailand to Poland and still find these disturbing remnants of man’s inhumanity to man, and am amazed that we still have not learned from these experiences.
We had tried to visit the house a few times to find that queues were miles long, so we waited until 8.30 at night and went then. I was also day two of a cold, and sneezed and wheezed and coughed all through the house. I felt sorry for the other visitors as you could see the looks on their faces (oh no, not swine flu!!). Following this we went to the red light district (as it was on the way home) and did not enjoy it one bit. Call me a prude, but it still seems like subjugating women and demeaning both them and intimate
relationships.
Betty, Michael and I parted ways the next morning; I left to fly to Barcelona. Talk about the flight from hell, I was by this stage, really beginning to feel the effects of the cold. The flight only added hearing problems, sore throat, and feeling ill. On arrival at Barcelona, an extremely long wait in the luggage hall only to find that my luggage was not there but still in Madrid!
Going outside, I found my friend from England and he gave me the address of the place we were staying, so back I went and gave them the address. We caught a train and travelled for about two hours, by this stage I was beyond functioning. It was sooooo hot; we arrived at Blanes and found we were staying at a private home. It was a shock as was the fact that the room we were to share had no fan or any other form of cooling. The owner was a lovely lady called Eva who was very accommodating, but I was feeling like death. I ended up sleeping on the patio, and have continued to do so each night on a sun lounge mattress as
I cannot sleep in the heat. I tried to go down town but the cold got the better of me, I just could not get up, so stayed bed bound for the next two days - I could not even go to the beach as I HAVE NO CLOTHES!!!!!!!! I have tried to get hold of Iberian airlines, to be told, they have my bag, but it ‘it may take a few days’ - well so far, three days, no clothes, I have one outfit, a winter top (in 35+ temperatures), two pair of undies and a bra! All of this occurred on a festival weekend, so no one works and the shops are closed, so I cannot even buy anything to wear! Today I felt like I was almost human, so I think I am on the mend and was able to meet with Philip’s friends Eddie and Adrianne, who took us out for lunch - beautiful Paella. I am now about to try to find my luggage again by going to an Internet café to post this and contact Iberia before we return to Barcelona.
Guess what, no internet available, all is shut due to festival! Now
in Barcelona, weather hot and humid, but not as bad ad Blanes. Have at least bought some thongs, a couple of pairs of undies and one top, but still no luck on the bag. I have just sent off seven pages of items in the case and realise that there are some irreplaceable items. The skirt I have had forever that every time I wear it, someone loves it. My graduation outfit and all my photos from the trip so far just to mention a few!!!!
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Angie
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I am glad to hear you are on the mend. I was wondering why we hadn't heard from you. Have you got the suitcase yet?