OT - My Excellent European Adventure Day Two

We wake early, have a quick continental breakfast, pack and off to the train station again. We need to be in Frankfurt that night, so our bags go with us from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal.

Two challenges to start the day:
1. I need to activate the Eurailpass (no more evil conductor problems)
2. I need to book reservations for the return to Amsterdam and our return flight home

Both of these were easily taken care of at the ticket window.

Now, struggling with our four bags (one of mine had a broken handle) we attempted to board the first train, however, my speed was hobbled, and it left the station without us.

The next train was easier. Arriving in Centraal we set about looking for lockers for the bags. After about 20 minutes wandering around the station, and with the help of some kind conductors, we found the place, stored the bags and set out to explore Amsterdam.

Kathy really wanted to see a “Coffee Shop” and the Red Light District, but the maps we had were less than friendly in showing how to get to these areas of the city. That said, I had a good idea of where we needed to go, so off we went.

Soon we were very lost (and my leg was in great pain). Wandering down a strange Dutch street a “Coffee Shop” appeared.

Thus began the first big mis-understanding of the trip. I was in pain, my leg about 3 inches larger than normal (lymphedema, caused by the cancer in my inguinal nodes), and Kathy was nervous. I wanted her to decide we should go in (so I could sit down), she wanted me to make the decision and be her guide (I missed this completely). After standing in front for five minutes, I noticed people inside staring and on we moved. Me thinking she cannot make up her mind, her thinking I did not want to go inside. (this was never resolved, and neither of us spoke of it until we returned stateside)

We finally came to a canal, and steps to sit on. I stretched the leg, read the map, looked at the signposts and found where we were. A short walk later and we were in Neumarket, a semi-permanent street market selling fresh vegetables, meats and other wares. We stopped at a café next to the market, had a coffee, looked at the map and figured out how to get back to the station and the tourist boats.

On the walk back, I looked up and saw a building with lots of red lights, then I noticed the curtains, and finally I saw one of the women, well, doing what they do. Kathy was thrilled, at least this part of the trip came out right.

Turned out to be a short walk to the train station (wish we had seen that on the map!!), then back onto the hop-on/hop-off boat and a ride to the Rijksmuseum, for which I had purchased reservations.

I have to say, I like Dutch Masters. More of their art seems to be about the life of their time than that of the Italian Masters (which seems to be either about the baby Jesus or the ancient Greeks).

We walked about the museum for about two hours, and I noticed a gentleman in a wheelchair that belonged to the museum. Knowing I may need it, I filed that away for the future.

After the museum, it was back to the boat for a ride to the train station. On this trip, we sat with a young student from Poland. It was interesting speaking with him, as he had strong feelings still about the Soviets, Solidarity and the Germans (from WWII).

Arriving at the train station, we retrieved our bags and caught the Hi-Speed train to the Frankfurt, Germany airport, a 3.5 hour ride. Understandably, this time we both stayed awake the whole trip.

I wandered through the train a bit, and found the conductor twice fining some poor tourist for being on the wrong train… (but, no one told me there were different trains)

We arrived in Frankfurt about 8:00pm. Luckily, I had booked us in the Airport Sheraton (miles!). The train station was again just under the airport, and the Sheraton was attached to the airport by a short covered bridge.

We were both exhausted, with me crashed on the bed, and Kathy sorting through the bags. I did not want to leave the room (neither did she), and room service seemed like a viable option. After about 30 minutes on the bed, I opened the menu…

…and saw the $30 hamburger (cheapest meal available)! Ok, I don’t mind ordering room service, but $30 for ground meat and a bun is just too much. So we rally and head out to the airport, only to find we rallied too late and everything was closed.

Back to the Sheraton, where they still had a restaurant open. Nice one actually, and reasonably priced. We probably spent about $30 each, but the fare was much better than a dry, room service burger.

The couple at the table next to us were remarking that the portions were too large, and asked the waiter for a to go bag. “Sorry, we are not allowed to give you the leftovers, however, if you would like we will prepare a new meal and have it sent to your room.” “Really?” “Yes, it is the law here.” “So, if I want room service, come down here, order, eat a bite, then tell you I want the rest sent to the room and you prepare a whole new meal, at no charge?” “Yes, that is what we would do.”

So, if you are in a German hotel, go to the restaurant, order a meal that you and your spouse would enjoy, eat all but a bit of yours, and then have a new meal sent to the room at no additional charge.

Of course, we did not do that. We ate our meal, then went to the room and crashed. Tomorrow the business portion of the trip would begin, with us meeting the rest of the group (four more couples) downstairs in the airport…

...More to come!