[Amsterdam]
Okay, here's a real travel update.
Current location: Amsterdam/Amersfoot/Arhem
My flight was delayed by 20 hours!! Can you believe that? But I got a ncie hotel room and $100 travel voucher (for my next trip here? :D). I don't quite get why people always talk about customs taking so long, there was barely any customs at all. I jsut declared the cigars I brought and they didn't search me or anything haha. (Thai and mom: DECALRE.That's the word I was trying to think of). So I got in and had a ncie chat with another guy from Calgary, we learned how to use a pay phone together. The phone numbers here are so wierd, they have around 10 digits. Bijan met me at Schipol (that's the airport in Amsterdam. It used to be a shop dock that's why the name means Layer of the Ship. I'll try and throw in as many correct terms as possible but there's a lot to remember). His house (In Amersfoot) is beautiful. The dutch LOVE windows and everyhting goes straight up. Most houses have little backyard patios with elaborate gardens. Elaborate gardens are everywhere actually. I got my own room, and dinner was amazing (like spanikopita and sheaperd's pie all together). I really like his family. In order to keep me up (so I got through the jet lag (8 hours)) we took walks and drives until 10pm. I slept very well but woke up at 5 AM! It's wierd. So much is going on I'm still pretty tired and I've only been here for 2 days! The next morning Bijan made me breakfast and we went biking through Amersfoot. That was really cool, Holland is very accomidating of bikes. I had authentic greasy fried dutch junk food. I was told I don't even want to know what's in it. I really can't wait for some fruit stands or something, most stuff is very unhealthy. I'm glad I knew a couple people here because the Dutch aren't friendly at all. So while biking we got stuck in the rain (It comes out of no where, like someone's turning on and off the tap) for a good 3 hours or so. But it didn't matter because I'm on vacation! Nothing matters. *sigh* it's wonderful. I took the train to Amsterdam last night and met someone from globalfreeloaders.com. Her name's Hejin and she's transgendered so we got morrocan take out and had a good convorsation. It's funny the different class-distinctions I've been staying in. Hejin's flat is definatly low income housing and Bijan's is very classy and suburb-like. There's this drink called Fanta here (I've had it in some italian markets in Calgary before), it's like carbonated joice. Like koala juice but better. Everyone's hooked on it and now I am too. Bagettes and cheese seems to be the only thing I'm eating. Bleck. So today I woke up all stiff and sore from the biking yesterday. I've GOT to get in shape. Went shopping despite killer blisters. Haven't found that there's anything that exotic about the clothing. Maybe I'll find better in France. I've started replacing my wardrobe haha. At least I'll be set for Uni. I got a manicure, just randomly, for free in a store called Douglas. Everywhere I look there's beautiful (expensive) shoes. I'm trying my best to resist. And yeah, I think that's about it so far... Tonight I'm going to go to a gay club and try out my new clothing. Take care everyone! Send me an e-mail and tell me how your time is going if you feel so inclined. I will take the time to read it! Also, let me know if you'd really like a phone call, I got a calling card. Five Euros for 35 minutes.
Caio, Cora.