Journeying to Amsterdam 2019

April 20, 2019

April 19

We’re in the air with still hours to go. The best was not leaving at 0-dark-30, but a civilized 1:55 pm. We arrive at 9:30 am, which will screw with our time unless we’re able to sleep on the plane. I’ve managed an hour or more, but that’s it so far.

KLM business class is a great way to fly. We’re upstairs in a small area—this plane is one of the older models, so smaller than what we’ve flown before—still with our own little pods. I don’t think I can go back to coach for long flights ever again. I paid my dues all those years of having no money and no travel companion, so no guilt.

Lunch started with a lobster and hearts of palm salad, a green salad, warm roll, then a second course of chicken, beef, or pasta. I was already full by the time that arrived (chicken with parmesan crust), but managed all the dessert—petit fours and a chocolate macaroon AND a glass of muscat. She’s off and running!

Friends understand that I rarely drink, so starting on the plane will make them laugh.

I’m part of this fabulous FB group called Travel Fashion Girls, which talks a lot about only bringing a carry-on for any trip. My husband generally travels like this, but I do not. I might have considered it for this trip; however, I will be continuing on without Matthew for Czechia where I will be buying glass beads from the factories. The first year I did this was a one-day trip and I brought home about 22 lb. of beads! Last year I came for a 4-day tour and have no idea how much they weighed, but I had beads stacked high in my carry-on (which fortunately they didn’t weigh, but are weighing them this year) and every available space, including inside shoes, socks, cubes, etc in my checked bag.

This year, two of us are back and it’s another added day, so 5 days of bead factories. yay!

Traveling is grueling, and I refuse to mention age and how it’s more difficult the older we get. Am writing this at 5 am....the joys of jet-lag. Matthew is asleep in the next room, which is why apartments are better than hotel rooms.

We are staying at the Amsterdam ID Aparthotel in a 1-bedroom. The people who work here are great—helpful, communicative, instantly ready to respond. The accommodations are ok—somewhat sparse. We have a giant king-sized bed with 2 small built-in night stands and nothing else. The small closet has shelves on one side and hangers on the other with an ironing board that I put in the living room so it became more usable (the closet, not the board). My empty suitcases are also in the living room. We asked for more towels since were only given 2 hand and 2 small bath towels and they brought them up immediately. The young men at the desk seem to do everything here.

I had emailed to ask how best to travel there—taxi? Uber?— and was told a taxi was 38.50 EU and the train was 4.8 EU. It’s very much like riding BART and wasn’t crowded, so very easy with clear signs to find the right track. I used google maps to get us to the hotel, which is very close to the station.

We arrived early morning and couldn't check in for about 5 hours, so decided to head down to the next train stop, which is the central area of old town and kill a few hours before we dropped.

The town is crowded with tourists and most of the stores are ones found in American malls, like Clarke’s shoes, but we wandered finding an ATM and lunch in a New York style place, which was okay, but uh, New York? My back was hurting and I was ready to sit when we found it, so fine.

Continuing to wander, we ended up in the red-light district, which is interesting. The women are in the window and Matthew got his first offer from a blond with lots of pink lipstick. She just sent him kisses and a slight non verbal invitation, so not very overt. Lots of young men in the area who respond more affirmatively.

Of course, the smell of both cannabis and tobacco are in the air. But there are also beautiful tulips and other flowers everywhere! We've hit the perfect time to be here for them.