We're Back in Holland

It is about 4:30 a.m. EST and we are sitting in the Amsterdam airport. We were delayed leaving Dulles for two hours {thanks for updating the blog, Shay!} and then when we got on the runway, there was a computer problem, so they shut the plane down for about an hour. Fun times. This was after they ran out of overhead compartment space and had to check bags ... and this was before they ran out of food for everyone. Seriously. I think that is worthy of a voucher ... oh and Kyle said the rude flight attendants are worthy of a voucher too. They were ridiculous.

Alas, we are back in Holland! The airport looks a little different ... they have decorated for the holidays. This hadn't even crossed my mind, but I really hope Russia is decorated ... that will make for an even better trip!

Check out the tree vase, for lack of better terminology ... LOL

Holiday decorations in the Amsterdam airport ... they are all blue and white ...

Did you notice the Dutch detail? I love that! I know, it doesn't take much to impress me ... LOL

We will be leaving here in less than two hours and we arrive in St. Petersburg around 9:30 a.m. EST. Until then ...

Our brief stay in Amsterdam

Interesting ... I think that is the best word to describe it. Interesting ... and maybe a bit scary? Although our hotel {which was the coolest hotel ever, by the way ... more on that later} was near the airport, we took the train downtown. The train was very nice, clean and easy to use. Bonus ... things were going well! We walked out of the train station and I almost got hit by a trolley bus train thing. Note to self: there are not cars in Amsterdam, there are trolley bus train things ... everywhere. Watch out, because they come up on you quickly and quietly. Oh, trolley bus train things and bikes ... bikes everywhere. Everyone rides a bike ... the whole family rides one bike. Craziness.

The masses of bikes ...

The train station ...View of part of the downtown area ... and a trolley bus train thing headed for us ...

So ... it pretty much smelled like marijuana everywhere. I guess that stands to reason since it is legal, but I'm sorry ... barf. I was like, "Get me the heck out of here!" Yuk. Sorry folks, but I don't walk on that side of the street. LOL. Kyle's analogy of what it was like there was Mardi Gras, without the boobs and beads. There were people everywhere ... partying it up. As we walked past one street bench, we noticed a gathering of people. What else would they be gathering for, but to watch three girls vomiting all over the place! Seriously people.

And this would not be a blog entry about Amsterdam without mentioning the men's restroom ... err, the men's outdoor urinal. Disgusting. Interesting how all the guys who walked by thought it was the coolest thing ever {including my husband, apparently} and all the girls were completely disgusted. LOL.

Random building ... I have no idea what it is ...Random church ...
Street entertainer ...

Friends ... we've arrived in Holland

Wow, I'm already sentimental and we are not even there yet! I guess since it is 2:00 a.m. EST right now and I'm going on about two hours of sleep. Yes, we are in Holland ... or more specifically, Amsterdam ... one of the main cities in Holland. Why would I be sentimental about Holland you ask? Well, read this and maybe you'll get an idea.

Not only that, but I have strong ties to Holland, Michigan, on my father's side of the family, so pretty much Holland is a sentimental place for me. After walking through the Amsterdam airport, I've learned that the Dutch pretty much care about three things ... liquor, chocolate and flowers.

There are signs like this all over the airport advertising liquor ...

I guess you get alcohol at McDonald's too?

Kyle was very impressed with the Heineken bottles ... apparently we'll be bringing some of that home with us ...

I'm sure we'll be bringing home some chocolate too ...Who would have ever thought to put a shop dedicated to just bulbs in an airport? Holland, of course!

Our flight was ... ummm ... okay, with the exception of having to sit right next to the only two people on the plane who insisted on having their reading lights on the entire time. And they crinkled their newspaper the entire time, which annoyed Kyle ... a lot. LOL. Pretty much whoever told me that you get lots of room on international flights lied ... I think I had less leg room than I do on domestic flights. Either that or the recline on the seat in front of me was broken, because that woman was in my lap.

Well ... since I am paying $18 for one hour of internet ... I'll sign off for now. I've been told I need to use my internet time wisely and see whether or not the Jets won. Hmpf ... men. I'm also cracking up because they just made an announcement for a passenger that has not checked in for his flight and they told him, "You are delaying our flight. Please proceed to the gate or we will off load your luggage." LOL. Ooook then!