Portland to Amsterdam

Please bear with me as I attempt to blog from my iPad. Not as easy as I thought it would be.

Monday, April 22

After about a 30 minute delay, we finally boarded the plane for Amsterdam. We're on our way. Interesting meal of faux chicken in brown gravy, weird potatoes and a lifeless salad. The wine was terrible. But, it was complimentary so I guess that was okay.

Settled in to try and sleep a bit which didn't work too well, but we did rest some.

Tuesday, April 22

Arrived only 15 minutes late and Carmen, Stanley and Atticus were waiting for us. Charlie's bag got caught on the up escalator and when I looked, he was tumbling down, Carmen was trying to run down, the dog was standing at the bottom with a scared looking guy and I didn't know what to do! He was able to get up and make it to the top. Scraped his knuckle and has an interesting bruise on his shoulder. Took the train then a bus to Marken. Went to Stanley's mom's house to drop our bags and relax a few minutes. Lunch was bread, cheese,ham carpaccio. The house is just so tiny and cute. His mother is a sweetie!

Then we visited the sailboat. Just lovely and so cozy.

Weather is overcast and a bit chilly.

Walked around town seeing the sights. Thought we had a lot of tourists! They come in buses and invade the town.

They are getting ready for Queen's Day and there are flags and lights strung throughout the town. It's a great time to buy your Dutch Grown shirt! http://www.dutch-grown.com/

Stanley fixed a great dinner for us. It was called bami goreng and had noodles, veggies, pork then a slice of ham with a fried egg on top. Also served with chicken (kip) sate with peanut butter sauce. A very Indonesian influence.

I couldn't keep my eyes open and finally went to bed bout 7:30. Charlie was about a half hour behind me. We both slept great until 12:12 and then woke up. I finally went downstairs and read for an hour. Went back to bed and did go to sleep. Then we both slept until after 6.

Wednesday, April 23

Breakfast was bread, cheese, ham and coffee. Then we started our trek to Amsterdam. Bus ride in was nice. Sun came out and the day was gorgeous. What a long day of walking and shopping, but not buying. Atticus was a bit hit with everyone and is probably in photos being sent around the world. This is the only small dog we met who didn't cop an attitude.

We did get some cheese and I bought a pair of cotton pants. We snacked on great frittes with a big glob of mayo and peanut butter sauce.

Later I tried some friend cod with a very garlicky tarter sauce and a bite of Carmen's raw haring (herring). It was really good! We stopped for a beer and watched the world go by, then walked some more. Charlie finally got to see Canal Street. It wasn't quite what I expected. A bit depressing. Sorry, no photos!

Felt good to get back on the bus for home.

Stanley made stampot for dinner. Mashed potatoes mixed with endive and bacon. You plop it on the plate, make a well in the middle, and pour in white vinegar. Very tasty!

Managed to stay awake until about 9 then off to bed. Got up about 2 to use the bathroom and managed to fall down the stairs. Slid down, actually. Stopped at the bottom when I hit the closet. Got up and continued to the bathroom! A couple bruises on one elbow and my shoulder a bit sore, but no serious injuries! Here are those treacherous stairs.

Thursday April 25

After breakfast, we caught the 8:30 bus to Amsterdam. Then the train to Schipol. Parted company with sis, Stanley and Atticus. I am not able to speak Dutch, as long as I can get by with yes, no, thank you and bread!

Off to Paris to get our car. Stay tuned!