Day 1: Culture Sticker shock
Even with the exchange rate being softened by the collapsing Icelandic economy, ISK300 for 16.9oz of 7up is not a good deal. I got just over ISK2400 for $20 at the bank. Wi-fi isn't free at Keflavik -- not bothering for the 15 minutes I can sit here. With my thirst partially quenched I'm saving the rest of the money so I can eat here during my return flight. It's 7:10AM local so boarding should commence soon.
3:15pm Amsterdam time
Sitting at a sidewalk pub near a canal. Streets are not well marked around here and I don't have a map yet. Waiting for a glass of water and a Delirium Tremens Trippel to quench my thirst. Found my way to Centraal and disembarked but decided not to take the bus (tram, actually) to Vondelpark so I could walk past the tourist traps. Seen the façade of Mme. Tussaud's and other miscellany. Stopped at the T-mobile to inquire about local SIM -- calls to US are €1.25/min. Must keep looking. Geldautomaat (ATM) dispenses two €50 notes when you withdraw 100. I'm looking around and I can't f***ing believe that I'm here. Lots of beautiful women on bicycles.
Sat next to two 18-y/os on the plane from KEF. Aaron is from Ohio and coming here to train for missionary work, after which he will be living on a ship. Kirsten is from around here but was visiting her grandparents in Minneapolis -- she starts college in less than a week. We played as many card games as whose rules we could effectively communicate -- no single game was known by all three of us. Aaron's luggage didn't arrive yet; poor guy didn't even know what address to send it to.
There are 40+ wi-fi APs in range here; three of them are open but the only one that actually connects has a pay scheme. TANSTAAFL, I guess.
5:15pm Amsterdam time
Found hostel. The street it's on seems more like a causeway around the park. Lots of beautiful gardens here. Can't get Wi-fi in my room either. Met one roommate, Peter from San Francisco. He's going all around Europe and has been to Prague and Hungary, among other places. Peter is rolling a huge fattie right now and I'm listening to him talk about the music and the radio stations in Europe.
More of Day 1 as I digitize the paper journal.
3:15pm Amsterdam time
Sitting at a sidewalk pub near a canal. Streets are not well marked around here and I don't have a map yet. Waiting for a glass of water and a Delirium Tremens Trippel to quench my thirst. Found my way to Centraal and disembarked but decided not to take the bus (tram, actually) to Vondelpark so I could walk past the tourist traps. Seen the façade of Mme. Tussaud's and other miscellany. Stopped at the T-mobile to inquire about local SIM -- calls to US are €1.25/min. Must keep looking. Geldautomaat (ATM) dispenses two €50 notes when you withdraw 100. I'm looking around and I can't f***ing believe that I'm here. Lots of beautiful women on bicycles.
Sat next to two 18-y/os on the plane from KEF. Aaron is from Ohio and coming here to train for missionary work, after which he will be living on a ship. Kirsten is from around here but was visiting her grandparents in Minneapolis -- she starts college in less than a week. We played as many card games as whose rules we could effectively communicate -- no single game was known by all three of us. Aaron's luggage didn't arrive yet; poor guy didn't even know what address to send it to.
There are 40+ wi-fi APs in range here; three of them are open but the only one that actually connects has a pay scheme. TANSTAAFL, I guess.
5:15pm Amsterdam time
Found hostel. The street it's on seems more like a causeway around the park. Lots of beautiful gardens here. Can't get Wi-fi in my room either. Met one roommate, Peter from San Francisco. He's going all around Europe and has been to Prague and Hungary, among other places. Peter is rolling a huge fattie right now and I'm listening to him talk about the music and the radio stations in Europe.
More of Day 1 as I digitize the paper journal.