Amsterdam & Living the Local Life
Upon arrival in Amsterdam Kevin and Theresa had to vacate the room by 8 AM with luggage tagged and placed out their door. A 10:30 taxi had been scheduled to transport us from the ship to the Train Station to meet up with the Whites for the next phase of the adventure. The lounge was home for those waiting hours. They were entertained by the sun as it rose slowly over the IJ river, and the iconic Amsterdam skyline.
The taxi ride was less than a mile from the ship to the central train station, which is the hub of traveling in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and beyond.
The travelers paid the €10 to the taxi cab driver to get from the vessel to the train station! Viking also charged each of the two travelers an extra $100 for not continuing with their journey and working outside of their process.
Kevin and Theresa walked the length of the central train station to finally connect with James and Melissa (a.k.a. Opee and Tuna). It had been 16 years since we last met in person. Way long overdue!
We were looking forward to lots of catching up and living the local life in the land of Tuna and Opee.
And so it began, a week-long adventure in the little towns and villages of the Netherlands. After the meet up, all 4 of us plus 4 suitcases, took a train from Amsterdam to the village of Voorschoten and the residence of James and Melissa. Waiting at their home were their eldest daughter Veronica and her boyfriend, Brett. This was an extra treat to get to visit with them as well. This home would be the hub for all expeditions for the next week.
The adventures would be supported by a fantastic infrastructure of Trains, Trollies, Busses, bicycles, canals, and walking. NO CARS Required. Shopping was a combination of small local farms, grocery stores, and farmers markets. Melissa monitored the weather as well as bus and train schedules to plan the day’s activities. To add an additional planning challenge the visitors from American needed to be tested within 24 hours of any restaurant or museum they wanted to enter. The tests were free and results are available in about 30 min. The EU has a fantastic mobile app that records vaccination status of local residence.
The Netherlands do not recognize the US version of a vaccine card as it is too easily faked. Hard to fake a mobile app that is manage by the government vs a 3 x 5 card that can be photo copied. The app interfaced with the electronic test results that was good for 24 hours. Kevin and Theresa were able to download the EU approved Netherlands specific app that would be used to display the proper QR code for restaurants and museums to scan for entry. In addition, a photo ID is required to confirm results name with legal photo id (passport).
During visits to the local life style Kevin and Theresa were fully impressed by the number of individuals of all ages traveling by bicycle. There are bicycle lanes in all directions. The lanes are separated from both pedestrian walk ways and roads. Kevin noticed at one intersection the bike lane had its own traffic light to signal stop, go and turn. Yes there are turn lanes for bicyclists. In areas where bike lanes enter the road, the cars are informed by signs that the car is a guest and needs to treat the cyclists as primary traveler. Kevin also noticed there were AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator) located in all public areas, including on the side of buildings. Kevin was confused by the need of an AED in a nation were almost everyone is fit due to the primary form of transportation, however there are lots of smokers.
Kevin and Theresa benefited from having Melissa as their personal guide. She researched, scheduled, purchased tickets, and ensured Covid testing was completed for all adventures. Big THANK YOU to Tuna!
As a very special treat Theresa and Kevin got to experience Vegan food prep and eating. Recycling and composting is a very normal daily activity by citizens. Kevin and Theresa were also treated with their first experience celebrating Hanukkah. Another BIG THANK YOU to all the Whites for hosting us in their home for the outstanding week!
As the week began to wind down plans were formulated for the journey to the airport;
The airline rules for covid testing prior to a fight changed from 3 days before to 1 day before your flight. Melissa helped us find a place to get tested in Amsterdam that would provide a travel certificate for 40 euro each. That result was back in 30 min and loaded into the Netherlands mobile app as well as the United checkin app. We were “travel ready” status for our early morning flight. We had one last tour day with James and Melissa as well as a nice dinner before the 5pm closure of all restaurants. We said our good byes and hugs and then we were off on our own for a short train ride to a hotel near the airport.
The flight to Newark was about 75% full and we had 3 seats for the 2 of us for the 8 hour flight. We mainly relaxed and watched some good movies and the moon rise over Iceland. In Newark we also breeze thru customs with our Global Entry and face recognition. We rechecked our bags, reentered security and proceeded to the gate. The last flight home was delayed about 1.5 hours. Once we arrived in RDU we got our luggage and texted Jack to come pick us up!
It was great to be back home, now its prep for the next adventure an extended visit to Florida in the RV!
Observations, lessons learned, insight, and items to contemplate:
• When traveling ,or not, periodically check your credit card and bank transactions for viable expenses (the fraudulent charges were finally resolve while we were with the Whites)
• When traveling during an epidemic stay fully informed as restrictions and guidelines change rapidly, stay flexible
• America’s history is short in comparison to the recorded history of the rest of the World.
• The church has influenced and shaped governments for centuries
• Humans have been quick to, and continue to, judge and persecute others who do not fully embrace the beliefs of those in power.
• Areas of Europe place a high value on Education, Health, mass transit, the fine arts, family, and infrastructure.
• Too many European people smoke
• In Europe there is No pressure to leave a table at Restaurant
• In Europe citizens make every effort to Recycle, reuse, reduce, compost all things possible. Public places have receptacles for each.
• Family is a focus and is demonstrated in everyday life in the countries visited. It was like a call back to the days of the family farm/business in the Americas
• Children were visibly participating in the daily activities of shopping in the farmers market and arrived in bicycle seats attached to the parent’s bicycle.
• Everyone was moving fast with a mission. They did not like to slow down nor wait, always finding a way to pass and keep moving
• Art museums were more plentiful than gas stations.
• Pedestrian malls had priority over shopping malls
• There was no visible homeless
• Small business dominated and large box chain shopping was limited
• The village locals went about their daily life’s with purpose, grace, and a smile.
• As an American I applaud that most of the citizens of the countries visited on this trip knew no less than three languages and some knew up to seven. Kevin flunked English and the rules associated with it. Americans would be best served understanding we have a lot learn from others, including multiple languages, and cultural norms.
This visit enforced our beliefs of the following:
“Teach your children well”
Teach the children additional languages
Teach history
Teach/communicate clear expectations
Teach civics
Teach humility
Teach respect
Teach compassion
Teach accountability
Teach the arts
Teach a Trade
Teach to be Human
Teach tenderness
Teach caring
Teach forgiveness
Teach to accept and embrace challenges
Teach persistence
Teach how to manage frustration
Teach encouragement
Teach love
Teach by being the best role-model possible
“Make a Difference”
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