After departing the train and finding a cab we finally made it to our hotel and I gave the cab driver a 5 Euro tip (just felt like it). Walking into the hotel and finding our room to be “comfortable”, we had to pack our luggage up two flights of the STEEPEST stairs I think I have ever encountered. Now most of you have no idea how heavy our luggage is. Keep in mind we have packed “light”, and what we brought is what we expect to use, wear, and what ever for the next TWO YEARS!!!! Well, we got the luggage set in and it was too early to go to bed as we were not too late into the afternoon and we would most likely sleep into the early morning and then what…. So we went out and walked this wonderful town of Utrecht….Very nice I must say. We did finally go to bed about 5or 6 PM and did wake about 9 and then at 11:15 went back to bed and slept until 7 this morning. Now after having breakfast here we are heading out to see “GOLDIE” for the first time in her glory.
15 March ’04. We departed Seattle at 1:25 and arrived in Amsterdam 9 hours later only it just happend to be 0725 in the MORNING and we got a cat nap of about 30 minutes on the plane. As we looked out of the window of the plane on final we quickly noticed just how flat the countryside is. Texas is flat but Amsterdam is not only flat but it is below the sea level too. There are little to large canals everywhere. The large are no more than maybe 150 yards wide and the smallest about 5 yards. After we went through customs (that was a breeze) we entered into the main part of the airport which is like walking into any large SHOPPING MALL in the states. There is even a casino with slot machines and everything a gambler could want. What ever you might want to find is right there for you to spend your money on including groceries. A walk through the mall and you will find the trains that will take you just about anywhere you might want to go. Louise went to the ticket counter and bought our tickets to Utrecht and they told her it would be a direct ride and would take about 1 hour. Being very pleased about that, we could just about imagine what it would be like to get to our hotel and take a nice quiet nap before going out exploring the area. Well you might have guessed it already, but it wasn’t exactly like that, now was it? We did find where the train was to stop, we did SEE the train and it was stopped and we? thought it wasn’t the right train as it wasn’t supposed to be there for another hour. Well, to make this a little shorter, we finally did get onto a train, it went one way and then for some on known reason it went back….TO WERE WE STARTED!!! We then got back onto another train and it took the SCENIC ROUTE all the way to UTRICHT!!!! Well, what would you expect, we were tired…..
After departing the train and finding a cab we finally made it to our hotel and I gave the cab driver a 5 Euro tip (just felt like it). Walking into the hotel and finding our room to be “comfortable”, we had to pack our luggage up two flights of the STEEPEST stairs I think I have ever encountered. Now most of you have no idea how heavy our luggage is. Keep in mind we have packed “light”, and what we brought is what we expect to use, wear, and what ever for the next TWO YEARS!!!! Well, we got the luggage set in and it was too early to go to bed as we were not too late into the afternoon and we would most likely sleep into the early morning and then what…. So we went out and walked this wonderful town of Utrecht….Very nice I must say. We did finally go to bed about 5or 6 PM and did wake about 9 and then at 11:15 went back to bed and slept until 7 this morning. Now after having breakfast here we are heading out to see “GOLDIE” for the first time in her glory.
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It’s hard to believe, but we’re at the last few days before departing to Amsterdam and starting our two year “Journey” through Europe and parts of North Africa. The house being sold, all the furniture, mini van, clothing, and all other personal items given away or sold has set us free to be on our way with out any anchors. Since we got back from Cabo it has really been a whirlwind of “must accomplish” chores in getting ready. Quite honestly, we have probably missed a few must do’s but we will have to put all that behind us after Sunday. We have had some wonderful send off’s from a lot of wonderful friends and family members and we wish we could take every one of them to Europe with us. Louise and I really enjoyed a night of wine and great food with our friends from our last neighborhood (congratulations to Eric, Kelly, & Hayden for the new addition to their family.... “Isabel” !!!!). We can't wait to meet her in person. Sue and Dean hosted a wonderful “Going Away Party” attended by a lot of family members who all wished us a safe and fun trip. It was great to see every one, and we will miss them all. This week we traveled to Yakima, onto Coeur d’Alene and back to Woodinville to spend a few days with the families of our daughters. It is wonderful to be looking forward to this trip but on the other hand, it is difficult to think just how long we will be away from everyone. We hope you will all kddp in touch when you can. |
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