We are now continuing our journey in Amsterdam! From the Harwich international port we took the ferry to the Hook of Holland, the train to Rodderdam and from there to Amsterdam Centraal. It's was a beautiful, and dreadfully cold, ride across the open ocean and it was a very interesting experience when it came to figuring out to change trains when the times tables are in Dutch. :) Thankfully, Dutch people don't mind giving confused travelers help and we got through the ordeal very well. Then once we got into Dam we met up with our first host! As soon as you walk out of centraal station there is literally a sea of parked bikes. I'd guess that there was at least 500-800 bicycles! I'll have to go back and post a picture, because it is just mind blowing. Anyway, Harm, Dutch, lives with his french girlfriend,Tiphaine. She is a nanny for a few different familirs and He works at a bakery. They just hosted us two nights, but were very kind and gave us a well-used map to get ourselves lost with. We biked around the city...until Trevor got a flat and went on foot to visit some recommended open stall secondhand stores. They proved to bring a good adventure too. Bartering with the people at the stalls and picking through all sorts of nicknacks and such. I became quite fond of the 35mm film cameras and investigating the brands that we don't get in America. It makes me miss the antipque shops with sweet old lady owners, down near Pike Place!
We've moved onto another host who lives on her own closer to the centre. She's dutch as well and has a cute jack russle named Lola. I think she became very fond of Trevor and I. It's great to be with animals again. They seem to have a very nestalgic essence to them. Especially when you've been away from home and your own pets for an extended time. It's lovely.
Here's a few photos that have been taken along the way.
One of the many canals in Dam.
So many dutch bicycles!
On the train to Rodderdam.
50pence gloves from Hadleigh!
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