Homeward Bound!

As much as I love to travel, at the end of a trip I am always ready to be home.

Five weeks is a long time to be away from our people and our home. I am SO ready to be there!

We have had an incredible adventure. We have revisited some of our favorite places, found some new favorites and met a lot of really great people along the way.

Yesterday was our last full day in Amsterdam. We went to the Central Station to reserve seats on the train to Frankfurt this afternoon.

The big news at Central Station - Starbucks has now opened! Previously, the only one I was aware of in Holland was at the airport. When we arrived, this one was under construction. While Bob waited in line, I got coffee and a beautiful Amsterdam coffee city mug - different than the one I already have at home!

We did a little shopping, not finding several things on our list but picking up a few things here and there.

We stopped at Sara's for a snack and to say good-bye.

Back home I put everything I could come up with in a big pot and cooked it for dinner. Kind of a chicken, vegetable soup/stew. It turned out pretty well actually. Allen joined us for our last evening here.

I am not looking forward to lugging all the suitcases around when we leave this afternoon. But, if heavy bags are my biggest problem, I'm doing OK!

After this trip though, it's back to strictly carry on!

Rain, Rain and Now....Sunshine!

By late Friday morning the showers had slowed down. This was perfect as we had not thought of leaving the apartment until about that time.

With umbrellas in hand, we headed down the Haarlemmerdijk in search of food. We found a small, dark pub with a menu posted that we could 'somewhat' translate and went inside. The resulting order was 2 fairly good sandwiches (Bob and Brian) and a nice Greek salad (Jessie). The only misunderstanding was when we thought the soup of the day was a mozzarella, bacon soup. Instead it was a MUSTARD based soup. I liked it. Jessie, not a fan of mustard was happy she had also ordered a salad.

From the pub we stopped at a cheese store for snacks to take home. A couple of apple tarts and a brownie sustained us as we continued our walk.

The Red Light District during the day was our next destination. We stopped along the way at some souvenir shops and continued to walk.

By early evening Brian and Jessie were ready to head out on their own. We walked them to the Leidseplein. There is a temporary outdoor ice skating rink in the area. Music was playing in all directions. Christmas lights are hanging brightly. There are stands selling waffles and poffertjes. We knew they had found a place to have fun! Assured that they could make their way back to the apartment either on foot or by taxi, we left them for the evening.

Heading back to the apartment in light rain, I opted for the couch with a book and a blanket. I think I read the same page 15 times before I decided to give up!

Their last day with us arrived so quickly!

We headed to the local Farmer's Market in the morning. We picked out some cheese, some bread and some salami to go with our brunch. A quick stop at the grocery store for the rest of our ingredients and we headed home to cook. Jessie and I put together a nice brunch in record time! Allen joined us for the afternoon. Bruce and Eelco stopped by for awhile too.

All too soon it was time to walk to the Central Station for their 6:30 train to Frankfurt. With threats of rain but nothing actually coming down, we headed to the station.

We are watching the stand by list as I type this, and are glad to report they are comfortably seated in row 1. Of course, the sun has been shining all morning. There are no clouds anywhere in sight!

Time for us to do a few last minute things in Amsterdam and get ready to wrap up this amazing chapter!

I Tire(d)!

The title of this post references a comedian we saw in California last summer. He was the warm up act for Jay Leno. If you've heard our story regarding this night, you'll get it. If not, probably best left unsaid, at least on this blog.

After sending Brian and Jessie to bed at 7:30 on Wednesday evening they reappeared 16 hours later ready to go! And go we did.....for 9 hours through sunshine, rain, clouds and even a rainbow, well into the night.

First stop for our visitors was the Anne Frank Huis. As we started out it was raining and there was virtually no line. We sent them on their way. We were there just 6 months ago so did not feel the need to accompany them.

While they were in the museum we picked up a newspaper and a deck of cards for our evening entertainment. From the museum we headed to Sara's Pancake House for a late breakfast, early lunch (by now it was 2:00!).

We walked through the Dam Square, down Kalverstraat, down Spui Straat. We stopped here and there to visit 'junkaterias' for treasures. We wandered through the Mundt Tower and over to the floating flower market. The Christmas lights are still being hung. On this dark, cloudy day they were shining brightly above the shopping streets. On our list for the day were vlaamse frites but when we got there nobody was hungry. Maybe today. We walked through the Begijnhof and then stopped for 'happy hour'.

The cafe we opted for served Grolsch beer.

Ordering his second beer Brian tried to order Amstel. The waiter said 'Grolsch'. Brian said 'Amstel' and the waiter pointed to the Grolsch sign. (The old Saturday Night Live 'No Coke, Pepsi' came to mind). He had another Grolsch.

His last choice was to point to the table next to us and 'have one of what he's having'.

It was nice to sit in the glass enclosed area looking out onto the street scene while visiting with two of our favorite people in the world!

Moving on we walked up Spui Street in search of food. We stopped at several locations perusing menus before choosing Caprese Italiano. The entire meal - start to finish was wonderful.

Good company, good food, good times!

Finishing dinner we headed toward the Red Light District. We stopped along the way looking for more treasures and even found a few must have items. The Red Light District did not live up to its reputation. Both Brian and Jessie were surprised that it seemed so 'tame'.

We got back 'home' around 10:00 p.m.

Normally bedtime for the parents and when the party starts for the kids. We pretended not to be middle aged and learned how to play the card game Low Life. A self admitted absolute moron at cards, I enjoyed the company way more than the game. We wrapped it up about 3:15 this morning. The last time I was up that late was the night before their wedding!

The sun is shining this morning, clouds looming on the horizon. Not sure what is on the agenda -know it will be a fun day! But..... I TIRE(D)!!!!

Brian and Jessie!

The weather has started to turn cooler. Rain is consistently in the forecast. We go to the market between rain drops and on outings between showers.

Yesterday we got lucky. Heavy rain in the morning. A brief interruption in rain allowed me to head to the market.

Another round of fairly heavy showers and then the clouds parted and then sun came out. We headed to the Central Station to pick up Brian and Jessie.

The train from Frankfurt arrived on spoor 8b as posted and there they were!

Since the weather was nice and they had thought to change clothes in Frankfurt we walked to the apartment. A nap on the 3 hour train ride gave them a little energy. With umbrellas in hand we went in search of food and drink!

We took the long way around, walking through Magna Plaza, to the Dam Square and then eventually along the canals to the Leidseplein. Food and a couple of drinks revived them long enough to walk back home.

A quick stop upstairs at 'their' apartment to change clothes resulted in the key being locked in their room. Just when they thought they could go to bed.....they had to wait until Allen arrived to unlock their door. Fortunately it wasn't a long wait and we sent them on their way.

It is raining this morning. Have not seen or heard from our visitors as of yet so not sure what adventures we will have today! We are just glad they are here with us!

Gratis Sneeuwwitje Figuurtje bij elke €15

Last year, Albert Heijn (the local grocery store) had a giveaway of Smurf cadeaus (gifts) 'with purchase'. The Smurfs currently reside on a shelf in my office.

This year, much to my amusement it is Snow White and Friends - collect all 15!

I was happily making my way through the collection when a virtual treasure chest of Snow White gifts was bestowed upon me!

Bruce and Eelco (apartment owners) had gone 'big' grocery shopping. Very unusual here as most people shop daily or several times a week for food.

When Bruce (who had brought us homemade chocolate chip cookies...yum!) saw my collection he said, 'be right back'.

He was down the stairs and quickly back up with a BIG handful of packets for me to open.

I'm slowly opening the new additions to the collection. Might even post a picture soon for admiration.

In other news......no news!

As I mentioned previously, it has been very quiet since we returned from South Africa. Visits to the local street markets and some short walks. That's it!

All that should change tomorrow with the arrival of Brian and Jessie!

Just Counting The Days!

I am trying to keep the magic that was South Africa forefront in my mind. Sadly, my mind is becoming cluttered with other things and it is starting to slip away!

There were so many things we saw and did in Africa. And so many things left undone. We seemed to touch briefly on a variety of places once we got to Cape Town. We were unable to give it enough time. It is an incredibly diverse country with much to offer. I feel so fortunate that we were able to go - I hope we have the opportunity to return.

Back 'home' in Amsterdam we have enjoyed visiting our favorite places. Cafe de Prins where we can sit outside along the canal, have lunch and people watch.

We look across at the Anne Frank Huis and comment on the line for the day.

The local market is giving away Snow White and the Seven Dwarf toys this year (last year it was Smurfs as Sean and Ryan know!). I've amused myself by collecting them when I grocery shop.

We wander to the book store for Bob's must read International Herald Tribune.

The clerk recognizes us when we walk in.

The Westerpark has a beautiful display of fall foliage. We were told it is pretty rare. Normally there is a lot of rain in September, the leaves turn brown and fall off. The leaves are very pretty this year.

Sara's Pancake House is a stop we make at least once a week. Sara was incredibly stressed this week handling the entire place alone. (5 employees all out sick) She still found time to ask how our trip to South Africa went. We told her we would be back next week, as always, but this time with visitors. We know she will greet them as warmly as she does us every time we are there.

Today with rain threatening we walked to Spui Street so I could go to Waterstone's and buy books. In the window of the American Bookstore - Americana artifacts including 'Big Boy' from 'Bob's Big Boy'!

There was an artists' market where the book market is normally held on Thursdays. Christmas decorations are being hung. The contrast between the shining lights of the decorations, the fall leaves on the brick walkways and the dark skies was very pretty.

And as we start a new week, tomorrow we will say 'the day after tomorrow - Brian and Jessie arrive.' We are thrilled beyond belief that they have chosen to spend their precious vacation days with us. We are counting the days and can hardly wait to see them and show them around this city that we've come to love so much.

As great as the past four weeks have been, I think we are both starting to think about winding it up. Home is calling. We miss our people, our house, our life at home. When it is time to pack up and head back, as always, we will be ready for home!