| Submitted by: Paloma WreggUnited States |
| Submission Date: 11 February 2005 |
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Holland is a nice change and I’m looking forward to it. My driver was not at the airport and so two hours of confusion later I have been delivered to my hotel personally by the owner of the company in a limousine. I was comforted in my wait by eating a whole bag full of duty-free Swiss chocolate. The soccer finals are on in town tonight and the city is busy with fans. I am so glad Tanya booked my accomodation. It is 10 degrees here and I am cold. This morning in Italy it was 31 degrees, so it's a change. I resisted a rest, and quickly went out to explore knowing that Steve would have been out and about. I accidentally stumbled on the red light district. Most of the women were large and very bossy. They actually sit in tiny windows on kitchen chairs. I guess I thought it would be more glitzy than that. Unfortunately my stay was shortened when I took out my camera. I was chased by a number of angry black men (pimps I guess) and lots of shouting by the women.
Very amusing names for the cafes. “Sinners in Heaven”, “Cafe Smoko”, “The bushdoctor”, “The Pot Place.” Cafes all had pictures of palm trees as logos but they had 7 leaves. They don’t look inviting, but rather very scary. Dark and dingy. I was lucky enough to be here for the semi-final of the Dutch against Denmark in the Euro Cup. The whole town was orange and I sat in the pubs enjoying the atmosphere. A safe night life because the sun is up until 11pm here. I met two very very nice Dutch girls whom took me to eat traditional casserole (as traditional as Amsterdam gets) and then on to the party pubs to watch the game. It was the best time and I had a ball. Hup Holland. A fantastic town with the biggest idea of multiculturalism. A very young and fun place. It is a lot dirtier than Italy, though, with stagnant water in the canals.
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Because everyone thinks I’m English because I have white skin (no tan like the Europeans). I am writing in the sun outside the Van Gogh Museum. I think it's student lunch hour as all the young students are out on the lawn, with their bikes collapsed beside them of course. My tour this morning was very disappointing and although I saw the outskirts – they said everything in 5 languages. I had a massive headache at the end of it, and I found out you are not allowed to take photos of the prostitutes.
I then went to the Rijks and Van Gogh Museum. The Van Gogh museum was fantastic and I splurged on some cards. The Rijksmuseum was all Jesus and Mary again, although it was impressive. Now I am off to find a place to sit and relax for the evening. Well, I was off to find a place to sit but I have had to take the long way home because I was joined by 2 different drug dealers at two different stages and so I’ve had to detour so they can't meet me at my hotel as they plan to do. I wanted to go into the Hansel and Gretel house but I couldn't stop long enough. I have however found an Internet Cafe to hide in for now. Its sooo big and open 24 hours. I have never been in a computer park so big. Hundreds of them. Then with nothing but hot soup and a glass of wine, topped with a cappucino, I am off to bed at 10:30pm. The sun is still up.
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I have intended to sleep in and relax at the breakfast buffet because today I leave for Africa. I have to take time to wonder about it all. In the morning I wandered around watching as the crowds of coloured football fans grow steadily to hundreds and thousands. My walk to the station is delayed as the police divide divide the teams across the Dam. I miss my train and my shoulders are killing me from my bag. Rushed at the airport I listen as the Africans I will travel with, talk in their deep voices and wide smiles. The loudspeaker is constant in 5 languages also and I am immune to the calls. It's goodbye to Amsterdam and its narrow streets, Its bicycles lined up for miles along the railings that frame the canals. Goodbye to the little house boats and the wonderful array of different cultures, food, fun and football.
Continued in Ghana...
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Rec.Travel Library: The World - Europe - Italy
By this author: Italy - Ghana - Tanzania
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| Copyright © - "Paloma Wregg" |
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