Thursday
This is when you realise that being a Virgo with OCD has no bearing whatsoever on flying. I think Im prepared, Ive made lists, bought scales, booked 2 months in advance and still at the last minute not only do I forget to buy a European adapter but I loose the padlock key to my case (after Ive locked it) and cant find my phone charger. After several minutes of running round I do find them but now its a race to the train, Im getting into Falkirk at 10.30pm as it is. One 2 hour uni lecture and several lattes later Im on the train and there standing room only, but I manage to sit my bum down in-between all the cases and play Tetris quietly while everyone else complains ah the English! Thank you so much to Kintoun for picking me up at the train station.
Friday
I realise that I would have squeezed more into Amsterdam had we got a morning flight but Im sorta glad we had an afternoon flight and a more relaxed journey. After driving, park n ride, Plane ride (with pilot in a rush cutting 30 minutes from the journey), train (not double decker) tram ride (FUN) and a bit of walk, we arrived at the flying pig (could it have been on a longer road! First order of business - bags in rooms, second order of business spark up! I met with people Id never met before: Snowy, Causy, Conroy, Umeko, anonwhymous, Ms_zombie, gtwr, TheQuestion. (Hope I havnt missed anyone, and we went for noodles. Despite the fact I couldnt stomach much and badly needed to rest I would like to think I was still good company. We found a coffee shop Rookies and seemed to make it the local. I was reluctant to buy anything that first night but loved the guy serving it come on down next victim please. The hostel was better than I was expecting, there were shower rooms, smoking room, bar. The only down side was the stairs and I reckon youll all agree with me when I say THEY NEED A LIFT! But hey I am not one to judge worked wonders for my legs!
After being slightly disappointed that were split into 2 rooms we managed to settle for a night , me, Kintoun, Tragique and Conroy although I didnt sleep for more than maybe 20minutes, a mixture of excitement, overtiredness and on only having one pillow under my head (as long as I didnt keep anyone else up) I wouldnt have wanted to miss the sum coming up though, it was beautiful, m phone camera couldnt catch it at all because the zoom is crap but oh the colours, Orange, red, yellow, streaks of what looked like dark purple as it came over the houses and building in the distance and between the trees from the park. I know the sunrise is pretty straight forward in most places but I dont get to see it much.
Saturday
The one and only full day I had there but damn it was good. Breakfast at the hostel was toast with jam/butter/hazelnut spread and cereal and the essential cuppa tea, only this time a legal high came with it (enter contented sigh) We couldnt have asked for better weather, the sun shines as we walk through the city and sample the produce. The sex museum had to be one of my favourite parts of this trip (see Amsterdamage album) and the walks along the canals were total bliss. Lunch came in e of flat freshly made pizza and pasta in an Italian or in Tragiques case a pasty shaped deep filled pizza (cant remember the name). They didnt have garlic bread but they did have bread with garlic butter and it was lovely. This is where my memory gets a little hazy as Im semi mashed and full of the happy buzzing feeling that comes with travelling and meeting new people. I wasnt going togo to Amsterdam and not walk through the Red Light District during the day ofcourse. It was sp weird just to see women in windows and light up signs with peep show and live sex here, Snowy traumatised me suitable with a 2 euros for 2 minutes peep show sop ofcourse I obliged. (flash back-bare with me). We then took Causey and Anonwhymous back to see it before meeting the others across the canal. I spent the evening with Anonwhymous, Umeko and Causey in the hard rock cafe where Anonwhymous was complimented for his superb sideburns by a very happy American waiter and the waitress was blonde and very smily. Tip for future: try an electric ice tea YUM! I think I may have become somewhat addicted to Ice tea now thanks to Umeko . We didnt join the others for mushrooms at the hostel but came back to giggles and laughter. Tiredness creaped in slowly and I slept under the stars until morning.
Sunday
Showered, dressed and packed all before 10.30am. leaving the cases at the hostel we went for pancakes, think mine were apple cinoman and whipped cream if I remember correctly. I couldnt finish it but it was lovely. I never tried the FEBO takeaway place in the end although I considered it before I went, they were everywhere and smelt so interesting. One last walk and smoke, diverting to the Torture museum and a very fancy coffee shop and a smoke in the park before picking my luggage up to go home. I dont wanna leave I cried but it was not meant to be. I got as far as looking how much a new ticket would be to fly back the next day before admitting defeat and getting onto the plane. Although slightly delayed we got bk in good time and I got my seat by the window for take off, I watched as all the pretty lights twinkled and disappeared and the english coastline came into view, I watched the sky change from dark blue to a golden glow as the sun disappeared west and I felt tears as we landed on Scottish soil.
I realise I have probably left a lot out but there was so much in such a short time and Im sure that other peoples blogs will fill in the gaps. I type this as I sit on the train from Edinburgh to Manchester (posting later tonight). I finally managed to get a seat after standing in the back carriage because two bikes wouldnt let me get any further up the train. The sun is shining and the view is beautiful but nothing compared to that of Amsterdam. I am hard pushed to put Amsterdam up there in my favourite place to go but it does come a very close second to Derwent water in the lakes it shall never be replaced I dont think but its trying very hard. It was so wonderful to meet all the lovely SGs Ive never met and be reunited with those I have already been exposed to. I love you all, thank you for making my first time in Amsterdam so memorable.
A special thank you goes to Tragique and Kintoun who put me up Thursday night and Sunday night and made me breakfast both mornings and drove me to the airport and back with them. You guys were well worth the journey.
Snowy (if she still wishes) agreed to show me round London soon as I have only been once and would love to see it in all its glory again, It might be joined up with the multi-birthday meet but we shall see about finances and free time a little closer, its a 99% yes for the meet at least.
If I think of anything more Ill add it in my next blog or as an extension to this.
This is when you realise that being a Virgo with OCD has no bearing whatsoever on flying. I think Im prepared, Ive made lists, bought scales, booked 2 months in advance and still at the last minute not only do I forget to buy a European adapter but I loose the padlock key to my case (after Ive locked it) and cant find my phone charger. After several minutes of running round I do find them but now its a race to the train, Im getting into Falkirk at 10.30pm as it is. One 2 hour uni lecture and several lattes later Im on the train and there standing room only, but I manage to sit my bum down in-between all the cases and play Tetris quietly while everyone else complains ah the English! Thank you so much to Kintoun for picking me up at the train station.
Friday
I realise that I would have squeezed more into Amsterdam had we got a morning flight but Im sorta glad we had an afternoon flight and a more relaxed journey. After driving, park n ride, Plane ride (with pilot in a rush cutting 30 minutes from the journey), train (not double decker) tram ride (FUN) and a bit of walk, we arrived at the flying pig (could it have been on a longer road! First order of business - bags in rooms, second order of business spark up! I met with people Id never met before: Snowy, Causy, Conroy, Umeko, anonwhymous, Ms_zombie, gtwr, TheQuestion. (Hope I havnt missed anyone, and we went for noodles. Despite the fact I couldnt stomach much and badly needed to rest I would like to think I was still good company. We found a coffee shop Rookies and seemed to make it the local. I was reluctant to buy anything that first night but loved the guy serving it come on down next victim please. The hostel was better than I was expecting, there were shower rooms, smoking room, bar. The only down side was the stairs and I reckon youll all agree with me when I say THEY NEED A LIFT! But hey I am not one to judge worked wonders for my legs!
After being slightly disappointed that were split into 2 rooms we managed to settle for a night , me, Kintoun, Tragique and Conroy although I didnt sleep for more than maybe 20minutes, a mixture of excitement, overtiredness and on only having one pillow under my head (as long as I didnt keep anyone else up) I wouldnt have wanted to miss the sum coming up though, it was beautiful, m phone camera couldnt catch it at all because the zoom is crap but oh the colours, Orange, red, yellow, streaks of what looked like dark purple as it came over the houses and building in the distance and between the trees from the park. I know the sunrise is pretty straight forward in most places but I dont get to see it much.
Saturday
The one and only full day I had there but damn it was good. Breakfast at the hostel was toast with jam/butter/hazelnut spread and cereal and the essential cuppa tea, only this time a legal high came with it (enter contented sigh) We couldnt have asked for better weather, the sun shines as we walk through the city and sample the produce. The sex museum had to be one of my favourite parts of this trip (see Amsterdamage album) and the walks along the canals were total bliss. Lunch came in e of flat freshly made pizza and pasta in an Italian or in Tragiques case a pasty shaped deep filled pizza (cant remember the name). They didnt have garlic bread but they did have bread with garlic butter and it was lovely. This is where my memory gets a little hazy as Im semi mashed and full of the happy buzzing feeling that comes with travelling and meeting new people. I wasnt going togo to Amsterdam and not walk through the Red Light District during the day ofcourse. It was sp weird just to see women in windows and light up signs with peep show and live sex here, Snowy traumatised me suitable with a 2 euros for 2 minutes peep show sop ofcourse I obliged. (flash back-bare with me). We then took Causey and Anonwhymous back to see it before meeting the others across the canal. I spent the evening with Anonwhymous, Umeko and Causey in the hard rock cafe where Anonwhymous was complimented for his superb sideburns by a very happy American waiter and the waitress was blonde and very smily. Tip for future: try an electric ice tea YUM! I think I may have become somewhat addicted to Ice tea now thanks to Umeko . We didnt join the others for mushrooms at the hostel but came back to giggles and laughter. Tiredness creaped in slowly and I slept under the stars until morning.
Sunday
Showered, dressed and packed all before 10.30am. leaving the cases at the hostel we went for pancakes, think mine were apple cinoman and whipped cream if I remember correctly. I couldnt finish it but it was lovely. I never tried the FEBO takeaway place in the end although I considered it before I went, they were everywhere and smelt so interesting. One last walk and smoke, diverting to the Torture museum and a very fancy coffee shop and a smoke in the park before picking my luggage up to go home. I dont wanna leave I cried but it was not meant to be. I got as far as looking how much a new ticket would be to fly back the next day before admitting defeat and getting onto the plane. Although slightly delayed we got bk in good time and I got my seat by the window for take off, I watched as all the pretty lights twinkled and disappeared and the english coastline came into view, I watched the sky change from dark blue to a golden glow as the sun disappeared west and I felt tears as we landed on Scottish soil.
I realise I have probably left a lot out but there was so much in such a short time and Im sure that other peoples blogs will fill in the gaps. I type this as I sit on the train from Edinburgh to Manchester (posting later tonight). I finally managed to get a seat after standing in the back carriage because two bikes wouldnt let me get any further up the train. The sun is shining and the view is beautiful but nothing compared to that of Amsterdam. I am hard pushed to put Amsterdam up there in my favourite place to go but it does come a very close second to Derwent water in the lakes it shall never be replaced I dont think but its trying very hard. It was so wonderful to meet all the lovely SGs Ive never met and be reunited with those I have already been exposed to. I love you all, thank you for making my first time in Amsterdam so memorable.
A special thank you goes to Tragique and Kintoun who put me up Thursday night and Sunday night and made me breakfast both mornings and drove me to the airport and back with them. You guys were well worth the journey.
Snowy (if she still wishes) agreed to show me round London soon as I have only been once and would love to see it in all its glory again, It might be joined up with the multi-birthday meet but we shall see about finances and free time a little closer, its a 99% yes for the meet at least.
If I think of anything more Ill add it in my next blog or as an extension to this.