Grand Hotel Alkmaar

... him, so we just played on. They had a good time. We had lunch (brootje wurst = hotdogs), played some more and then headed out. By this time, Elly was feverish again and Carly was tired. So I put Carly in the sling, Elly in the stroller and we headed to browse the fleamarket at the Waterlooplein. Of course we were diverted for a bathroom call for Ben. I was on my game, went into City Hall right next to the ...

... bunk room and have our bags locked up during the day. We have been here two days and met people from all across the world. The hostel is a bar too so lots of people are constantly coming in and out. Last night, I hung out around the bar and made some new friends, and we went to the Red Light District around 1am and went to a bar called Players. Today Amanda and I did some sightseeing around the city, and tomorrow we are ...

... tourists don't have a chance in Amsterdam. The streets all look the same, all the buildings are lopsided (no, seriously, they are) and there is a McDonald's on every corner making you think you are always walking around in circles. Not to mention the treacherous road conditions (cars, buses, trams and bicycles coming at you from ...

... and went on a canal cruise with recorded commentary.. What do you know, Brian fell asleep as soon as we pulled away from the dock.. I lasted about ¾ of the way before I was dozing off also but still managed to learn that the government spent millions of Euros to build low barriers along the canals as heaps of people were driving their cars over the edge.. Despite that, they still have to fish out at least one car a week driven by lead-footed drivers.. Once the ...

... were exact replicas of "Dutch Village" in Holland. Most of buildings had orange-tiled roofs and the white sandstone walls. All of the streets were made of cobblestone and most of them were lined with lanterns as streetlights. But what Steve and I found to be very interesting was the fact that we weren't as excited as we thought we would be about seeing everything because we've already seen it all back home! Almost everything was the same. It was still interesting to see the ...

Can I just say that I am soooooooo excited!!!! I have just been out buying stickers, pens and colouring in things for the kids in the orphanage, and it came to me what I am off to do!!!! It is going to be such a fantastic experience. Even ...

... ourselves to a beachside lunch. On the way back to Alkmaar, the roads were crowded with German caravans returning from their long weekend. Dinner at Greet's house in the centre of Alkmaar with her husband Paul and the two teams was a terrific celebration. We are in the final stretch. There is much excitement and anticipation about saying goodbye to our Dutch friends and thanking them for hosting us so well.

... Bright-eyed and seeking new possibilities, I left my home and landed in a city famous for its plethora of socially prohibited practices and products. Amsterdam! First thing on my to do list......well I am sure you can guess! I went with a tour group. The thing about tour groups is that you never have as much time in each location as you really should. There is never enough time to do what YOU want to do. Yes, you see a ...

... elaborate creations in beadwork, feathers and plumes inspired by the ceremonial suits and headdresses of the Plains Indians of the 19th century. They take to the middle of the street like it's Mardi Gras Day, dancing out into the night in search of rival Indian gangs and drawing their neighbors off their stoops and porches to wreathe them with smiles and shouts of recognition and joy. The Wild Indians range closer to home on St. Joseph's Night ...

... of cheese on slings suspended from their shoulders. We were really surprised by the size of the crowds that were there. We almost could not see through all the people. There were several other vendors selling goods at the market and we bought some gifts and souveneres. After the market we caught a train to Brussels, and we will fill you in later on how our brussels trip goes.