Dan and I walked a bit, and had a nice Indian dinner. The crowded parts of Amsterdam are like Disneyland crowded. It’s nuts! Still the walk was fun. I just prefer fewer people (and yes, we happened upon the red light district, but turned around when we saw it … not interested!)

If someone now asked, “What one word come into your head when you think Amsterdam?” I could easily give my reply:

BIKES!

We we’re ripped off by the taxi driver. He didn’t turn on his meter. He didn’t print a receipt. And he charged us €20 for a short ride.

Ah well … least it was a Mercedes.

Sigh.

Live and learn. I reported it, after reading info online, but the money is gone and that is that. It’s only money ….

I slept through much of our train ride in Belgium so far. That’s what comes from managing only 1 1/2 hours of sleep last night! Really, that was it. I’ve been doing fine since arriving so I’m not sure why night three would be sleepless. Odd.

A fast train:

Hello Brussels.

Goodbye Brussels. (By the time I can get this to load we just might be in Amsterdam: the train has free Wi-Fi, but it’s pretty sporadic.)

Yep. Hello Amsterdam!

And hello Conscious Hotel. I’ll show the front of this renovated building when we go out: right now it’s a bit stormy. The room is simple in decor, very new, spacious, and has the highest ceilings we’ve had. Ever.

And conscious of environmental things in a witty way.

Right now we are just putting our feet up for a while.

… and I’m having a bad hair day! Eek!

This guy is looking good, though.

Amsterdam, we are close to on our way!