Hello from the Flatlands, mostly for pnsm
I am sorry to say I am a little too beat to write anything very interesting, but I'll have some great pictures to share when I get home, so look forward to many posts of interesting European art and destinations. By then, my brain should be back to normal functioning and I should be able to put together an interesting post or two. Right now I am running around trying to see as much as possible (Look--more art!) and am absorbing it all and trying not to get too lost. It may not sound like it, but I am having a pretty good time! I am finally getting over the jet lag, so that is really helping my mood. (Yea sleep!!)
For the first time ever, I am traveling in a country where I don't speak a word of the language, Dutch, unless you count "Ja"(yes) and "Hallo." Of course everyone speaks English, so I can just walk up and speak English without even asking, but the predominate language is Dutch (except in the music, that seems to be primarily in English and primarily American.) It is a strange experience and a good one for me I think.
I had a lovely breakfast overlooking the town square in Haarlam, the nearby city to Amsterdam where I am staying, and it is true that *everyone* rides a bike. The square is closed to cars, so it is so fun to see women in skirts and heals, people with kids, cyclists with lots of bags, etc. just safely gliding through the square.
Ok-- I am off to rent my own bike in the Big City and explore. To those who are wondering, I do not plan to partake of the ubiquitous "cafes" (aka places to get pot), but I might go briefly to the Red Light District, just out of curiosity.
I am fascinated by the Dutch cultural value of tolerance and look forward to spending a few days wondering around.
Tot ziens! (Goodbye--I had to look it up.)