Amsterdam!

Ireland ended up being cold and wet everywhere, so I stayed dry and warm on the train and finished Hareliquinn, a book Danielle loaned to me. It was a nice, relaxing day and I enjoyed the lush green of Ireland as it rolled by.

I did not know that gaelic was still in use, but the train made announcements in both gaelic and english. I spent a good deal of time trying to figure out what the moonspeak was on the board and finally broke down and asked. I guess some of the people who live in the countryside still use it.

Yesterday I woke up and bounded out to the airport, where I got to my flight with minimal problems (I had to pay a fee because I was checking in at the airport, not online and then I raced around the airport trying to find a postcard for Lucky) and had a pleasent enough flight to Einhoven, in the Nethrlands.

On the bus to the train station I struck up conversation with Neil, a policeman in the Netherlands who had been hill-walking in Ireland and he helped me find my train and even bought me a sandwich when it turned out we were going to be on the same train. Unfortunately I will just miss him in Norway, but he was a very interesting guy.

I liked Amsterdam immediately, it just had a great vibe and an adorable look. My hostel is on a boat and the staff is so friendly. And the showers get really hot. The weather was gorgeous yesterday and looks to be the same today and it is much warmer than the UK.

After a shower and some laundry, I met Danielle at the ferry landing (we are across the canal from central Amsterdam, but the ferries are free.) There are so many bokes in Amsterdam! Thousands just by the train station!

We wandered around, found a cafe and ate a space cake and then had pancakes for dinner (mine was bacon and onion - delicious) because that is what they do here. We were going to see the red light district, but when we came back for Danielle to change, I just passed out. I blame the space cake.

When she gets out of the shower we are going to head into the city, see the Hash Museum, Sex Museum, and Anne Frank House and then head to Haarlem to catch the end of the flower parade.

Amsterdam? My favorite so far.

Unfortunately I am getting sick. I blame the Canadians in Dublin.