Prinsengracht Canal House Amsterdam

I arrvied at Schipol Airport just outside of Amsterdam Saturday evening where I was met by Frank, and Jan and Thera Kense, his wonderful cousins who lived just south of Amsterdam in a beautiful village called Zevenhoven.

They are such warm and loving people, who made me feel instantly welcome.
Thera gave me that wonderful rose as she welcomed me to Holland.
I could not have imagined a nicer reception.

... a fitting end t* the first leg *f *ur trip, *r s* I th*ught. I will spare y*u the details *f the final *utting I had with Carl* and the rest *f them (Ben stayed back at the H*stel) but I will tell y*u it inv*lved p*tent space muffins and getting l*st f*r nearly 2 h*urs with n* way t* get back t* the h*stel. It was epicness and hilarity wrapped int* *ne package. I fell asleep rath** late and w*ke up early as we needed t* get *urselves t* Ly*n ...

We took an extremely early morning flight to Amsterdam from Birmingham on one of Europe's budget carriers - Ryan Air. The flight was actually cheaper than our train ride from Amsterdam to Berlin!

We went straight to the tourist information centre from the airport, and bought tram tickets along with a collection of brochures and maps that would function as our Lonely Planet guide for the next few days.

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands calvin.latha

... then smashed together until the right shade of color was developed. The Anne Frank house I thought was a bit disappointing. Most people know the story of Anne Frank and the struggle that her and her family went through. I was expecting to see her house and see the beds and tables as it was when they were living there. Unfortunately, in a final journal entries that she wrote she insisted of people were to view the house she did not want it kept the ...

So, I did have time to write another entry! This past weekend Mike & I went to Amsterdam for his last weekend in the Netherlands. We stayed in Hilversum at Beth's (another calvin student) host parents house. And Becca, the friend who we visited in Middelburg a few weekends ago, was there as well. Mike flew back home on Monday, and Becca flew to Spain today, so we decided to spend the weekend there. Beth's family (from the states) was visiting, so just Becca ...

I don't know if this blog keeps f*#king up or i'm writing too much but i'll continue....... Dinner was an Amsterdam platter with Bittenballs - yummo. By that time i was absolutely wrecked and had to go back to the hotel for a sleep, but on the way found a massage place and had a brutal (but divine) foot massage. Today it was up ...

... you would never see just anywhere in Canada. Took a morning Bike tour. That was really fun. It's been awhile since i rode a bike. It was scary at times though. The mix of cars, bikes, and pedestrians was hard to handle at times. Amsterdam has something like 2 bikes per capita, so you can understand that bikes are serious business here. You have to watch out for them everywhere! Very dangerous. Anyway, that's all for now! Dui

... shop". That means that they sell the green stuff...legally. But seeing as Brit and I both pride ourselves on our green stuff virginity, we were happy to pass on that option and just drink more wine. Our evening ended off with some Euro-club dancing and a lot of pictures. Overall, I loved Amsterdam. Love the laid back attitude and canals through the city. Can't wait to go back and get a chance to meet up with some of Grandma Jan's relatives!

... love the story of the Baluch struggle for independence to make it out to national news. Also, if you know of a radio show that would be interested in the story, please contact me at nocenti@earthlink.net. *************************************** *************** JOE BRYAK WRITES FROM MEMPHIS (Memphis, Thursday, December 14, 2006)-Speaking of Memphis, I admit to being a little less sour on it after meeting a couple from New ...

... on a Saturday morning, I was walking down the Damrak, and heading for the hotel which was situated somewhere in the labyrinth of the city's infamous Red Light District, but the vibes were good, the hospitality seemed welcoming, and best of all, I still had the entire weekend ahead of me. Walking around the backstreets, canals, and residential areas seemed to occupy a fair portion of my time spent ...