I'm back! I owe johnsemlak a big thanks for handling the news while I was away, and it appears I owe Piratecat a big thanks for getting the server fixed - seems there were some problems while I was away! Gotta love the timing!
The best part of Amsterdam was seeing the Messiah Duck. I kid you not, we saw a duck walking on water. I am convinced that it is the Second Coming, and am proud to consider myself one of the first apostles of the Messiah Duck. I will be endeavouring to convert everyone I know to Duckism forthwith.
Got a picture - I'll post it when I get the chance!
Amsterdam is *so* friendly - I don't think I've ever been to a place where the poeple are so friendly and happy. They smile all the time, they're *incredibly* helpful (I lst count of the number of times a Dutchman/woman came up to us to ask if we needed help, whether it was because we were looking a little lost, or because we were having trouble figuring out how to use the automated train-ticket machine, or whatever).
Went to a few museums - the toruture musem was really icky, but fascinating. Amusingly, we saw a case that was supposed to hold an iron chastity belt; the chastity belt was missing from the case, and on the floor next to the case was a pair of underpants.... weird!
The canals are lovely; a bit skanky (I guess I was expecting shiny blue wayer - but, hey, it's the modern world....). The policemen are so friendly it's unbelieveable; they'll offer advice, directions, even just chat for a bit, smiling all the while.
The cyclists are crazy! Hundreds of cyclists whizzing about at breakneck speeds. The city is *really* busy (I'd compare the business to my experience in New York, but it's a different type f busy).
Anyway, I had a great time. Glad to be back in good old England, though!
The best part of Amsterdam was seeing the Messiah Duck. I kid you not, we saw a duck walking on water. I am convinced that it is the Second Coming, and am proud to consider myself one of the first apostles of the Messiah Duck. I will be endeavouring to convert everyone I know to Duckism forthwith.
Got a picture - I'll post it when I get the chance!
Amsterdam is *so* friendly - I don't think I've ever been to a place where the poeple are so friendly and happy. They smile all the time, they're *incredibly* helpful (I lst count of the number of times a Dutchman/woman came up to us to ask if we needed help, whether it was because we were looking a little lost, or because we were having trouble figuring out how to use the automated train-ticket machine, or whatever).
Went to a few museums - the toruture musem was really icky, but fascinating. Amusingly, we saw a case that was supposed to hold an iron chastity belt; the chastity belt was missing from the case, and on the floor next to the case was a pair of underpants.... weird!
The canals are lovely; a bit skanky (I guess I was expecting shiny blue wayer - but, hey, it's the modern world....). The policemen are so friendly it's unbelieveable; they'll offer advice, directions, even just chat for a bit, smiling all the while.
The cyclists are crazy! Hundreds of cyclists whizzing about at breakneck speeds. The city is *really* busy (I'd compare the business to my experience in New York, but it's a different type f busy).
Anyway, I had a great time. Glad to be back in good old England, though!
