OT - My Excellent European Adventure Day One

Buckwirth
Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
edited June 2011 in Colorectal Cancer #1
We started out at LAX on May 12th, where we caught a 747 to Amsterdam, riding in the upper deck of the plane (Business Class baby! I used all my miles!). 10 hours later and we were in Amsterdam, staying at the airport Hilton. Kathy and I freshened up, then headed down to the airport to catch a train to the main city (yes, the train station is just below the airports baggage area). 16 Euro for a round trip ticket and a 20 minute ride.

In Amsterdam I had pre-booked a hop-on hop-off tour with both bus and boat, the trick though was finding the office to pick up our tickets. After about 20 minutes of walking around, we finally asked directions, finding first the bus, then the shop. Went inside, got our tickets, back out to the bus... and we had the wrong tickets.

Back to the shop, exchange the tickets, back out to wait for the next bus... and 30 pre-teen schoolboys appear, waiting for the same bus. A quick discussion between Kathy and I, and we decided to take the boat tour.

This one was easy to find, on the canal right in front of the train station. A leisurely trip around the city, with one stop for lunch at a local pancake house, and we were both ready to call it a day. So, off the boat, and back onto the train.

Caught the first train heading back to the airport (the station is called Schiphol) and, as I leaned my head against the glass, I fell asleep.

I woke sometime later, looking out the window at a green expanse interspersed with cute dutch farmhouses and groups of cows. Realizing that Kathy dozed on my shoulder, I wondered if we had slept through our stop. As I moved, Kathy woke, her first words: "did we sleep through our stop?"

The answer to our question came in the form of the young female conductor. "Where are you going?" "Schiphol" "Schiphol?" "Yes, Schiphol" "That was the last stop, can I see your tickets?" "Yes" "You are on the wrong train, and the next stop is Rotterdam" "It did not stop in Schiphol?" "Yes, but this is a high speed train, you do not have a high speed ticket" "Oh.." "Yes, there is a 10 euro fine each" "Really? I bought these from the counter in Schiphol, they did not explain that there were different trains" "Yes, if they did explain that they would be talking all day, please pay. And you will need to purchase a return ticket when you get to Rotterdam when you get to the station"

So, 20 euro for the fine, about 30 euro for the tickets back to Schiphol, and we are out 50 euro on a 15 euro ticket..., oh, and an hour and a half of train travel above the 15 minute ride to the city.

Exhausted, we eat at Burger King in the airport, then catch the shuttle back to the hotel to prepare for tomorrows adventure...

... To Be Continued

Comments

  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    Hahahahaha you must asked before to KathiM !
    What a nightmare ! hope next day it's going to be better!.
    looking forward to read next chapter!.
    Get fun !
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    Oh my!
    Glad that you had a nice boat tour, but I think you were lucky not to have gotten on a train that would take you out of country!

    Now, I know the trip is over, but couldn't you find some good Dutch food instead of Burger King...lol. I know, it was quick, easy and something you know.

    Thanks for starting this diary and sharing it with us. Kinda like the serial adventures...can't wait for the next installment!

    Hugs,

    Marie
  • ellamenno
    ellamenno Member Posts: 142 Member
    pepebcn said:

    Hahahahaha you must asked before to KathiM !
    What a nightmare ! hope next day it's going to be better!.
    looking forward to read next chapter!.
    Get fun !

    Sounds so familiar...
    These "chapters" are gonna be good :) Give us more! Give us more!

    Peace, Laurie
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    More coming
    In the days to follow.

    I plan on a new thread for each day, though I won't promise them daily.

    I started Erbitux/Irinotecan on Thursday, so far a little nausea, a lot of fatigue, and a bit of cramping are the side effects. Still have hair, and if I have a rash it is hiding under my beard.

    Something I should note is lymphedema. My leg swelled the week before the trip. A weekend in the hospital, ultrasound and a scan, and they determined it was not life threatening. It was an issue in traveling, and will feature in future installments.
  • thingy45
    thingy45 Member Posts: 632 Member
    Sorry to hear about your
    Sorry to hear about your troubles at SCHIPHOL. Next time invite this Dutch girl along with you. LOL. I am born and educated in Holland, I have not been back for 16 years, to much has changed. I have lived longer in Canada then that I lived in Holland.
    Hope the rest of your stay in the Netherlands is more enjoyable.
    Marjan
  • mukamom
    mukamom Member Posts: 402
    thingy45 said:

    Sorry to hear about your
    Sorry to hear about your troubles at SCHIPHOL. Next time invite this Dutch girl along with you. LOL. I am born and educated in Holland, I have not been back for 16 years, to much has changed. I have lived longer in Canada then that I lived in Holland.
    Hope the rest of your stay in the Netherlands is more enjoyable.
    Marjan

    What a fun read!!
    Am looking forward to day 2. Robert started Erbitux/Irinotecan on Thursday also. Fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite and no evidence of a rash. Hope you are feeling better today.

    Angela
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    mukamom said:

    What a fun read!!
    Am looking forward to day 2. Robert started Erbitux/Irinotecan on Thursday also. Fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite and no evidence of a rash. Hope you are feeling better today.

    Angela

    Buck not chapter 2 today?
    Hugs!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    thingy45 said:

    Sorry to hear about your
    Sorry to hear about your troubles at SCHIPHOL. Next time invite this Dutch girl along with you. LOL. I am born and educated in Holland, I have not been back for 16 years, to much has changed. I have lived longer in Canada then that I lived in Holland.
    Hope the rest of your stay in the Netherlands is more enjoyable.
    Marjan

    Hullo Marjan!
    I am an American, but live half the year in Holland with my beau.

    What part of The Netherlands are you from? I live in Zwolle.

    Hugs, Kathi
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    At least you weren't deported....
    they tried that with me in Schiphol last time...*smile*

    I have eaten in that Burger King on occasion. There is a great 'frites' shop (french fries) right down the way too...mmm...


    Buck, Sounds like an exciting start to your trip!!! Actually, Rotterdam is a sight to be seen, also...so the train going there could have worked out. But, yes, it's a bit longer ride than from Amsterdam Central Station to Schiphol.....*smile*

    Hugs, Kathi