Days 25-27 Amsterdam and Day 28 Home Took a very early train from Groningen. Two quick transfers, and a 15 minute walk to my hotel. Hotel was on the Singel canal next to a bridge -- delightful view from my windows. Very old building but updated facilities. Lift big enough for ONE person, only, plus a suitcase. It was an interesting city to visit while resting up from the hectic week just past.
As soon as I was settled, I headed for the West Church. I could see the towers from my window. Over 3 canals and down a couple blocks. On the way I passed the Anne Frank House. The line was more than a block long. The church was very plain inside, but restful. The windows were clear glass so there was a lot of light. Organ music was playing, but I discovered it was from a tape player, not live. I was just too tired to have the patience to stand in the Anne Frank House line, so I strolled towards city center. Found Dam (Central) Square, and a crowd of people. Winding through the crowd, I discovered a magician doing magic tricks inside a large rope circle. On another part of the square were young men pretending to be statues. Two were dressed as gladiators and painted-- one in bright green and one bright blue. There were also a Darth Vador and a gorilla. Down a side street I could see McDonalds and Burger King signs. On the square was a Hot Dog Wagon. USA fast food is invading everywhere. I window shopped until I saw a bakery/lunch cafe and got some food which I took back to my room. A nap followed. (I was really exhausted from the busy tour week.) Later I took another walk. The next day I went back to Anne Frank House and found the line only 20 feet long. By the time I came out again, the line was as long as the day before. The travel book that said to go very early was correct. The next errand was to find an internet cafe since the computer in the hotel was down. After doing my computer chores, and strolling through the streets back to Dam Square, I found that it was Book Fair day on the square. There were 10-12 rows of tents full of tables of books. I was able to find a couple in English to read on my flight home. Back to the hotel for another nap, and then another walk in the town. The third day...my last day in Amsterdam... I went to the North Church to see a Textile Fair that sets up there on Monday mornings. Clothes, fabrics, trims, linens, plus some food, produce and household items filled the square and a street. Found some interesting trim for lace pillows and a gift for my DH. The weather had suddenly turned to summer -- hot and dry. No raincoat today. Central Station was the next stop where I caught a train to Rotterdam to visit Theo Brejaart in his shop. After a nice visit, I returned to Amsterdam and took a Canal Cruise. I thought it would be a comfortable way to see as much of Amsterdam as possible in an hour. This cruise went on some different canals than the shorter cruise we took the previous week on the tour. It was a very pleasant hour. A nice dinner in tiny cafe near the hotel completed my last day in Amsterdam. Day 28 - Home I didn't sleep very well that night, and was up about 4am. I noticed people and cars acting strangely in front of the building next door. They would stop, look, and then go on. Sometimes a car would drive around the block and come back. One bicyclist almost fell off his bike. I left the hotel about 6am. As I past the building next door, I noticed that the windows had red lights in them. The Red Light District was supposed to be several blocks from my hotel. Evidently, it has expanded a bit. My backpack was heavier than when I came, and so was my suitcase. I could not resist some of the new books on the vendors' tables. Dispite the extra load, I made my train in good time, checked in for my flight, had some breakfast, and was the first person through the inspection for boarding the flight. Amsterdam airport has a separate small inspection station at each boarding gate. Once through, you are in a contained room that leads to the boarding ramp. If there is any problem with something on a flight, only one planeload of people has to leave the area and come back through the inspection -- not a whole airportful. Very efficient. It's a 10-1/2 hour flight from Amsterdam to Portland. We were late leaving Amsterdam, and a bit late arriving in Portland. We landed at a new terminal building across the airport from the regular one. All the customs procedures have to be passed before one can get out of the building, then ride a bus to the main terminal. It was a different procedure than what I went through 10 years ago coming home from Arachne 98. I think I'll just do in-country flights in the future. It's much easier. Both husband and cats are happy to have me home. Jet lag is easing up and I'm getting back into the normal activities of summer. And I have come to the end of this long tale of my trip to the other side of the world. 28 days. 17 lace exhibts. 10 churches, 2 long embroideries. Many miles of walking through cobblestone streets, over 600 photos to process, and tons of memories to think about all winter. Alice in Oregon - where I'm going to have to shop for a very large scrapbook. - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
