Zaanse Schans, Netherlands
Saturday, July 8, 2006
One of the regrets that I have about my camera is that it's not with me 24 hours a day - which is a shame - because I'm finding that I'm missing out on snapping some unreal sights I've observed and people I've met. Next time, I will go for the smallest possible digital camera that will stay in my pocket wherever I go. For example, last night, I met 3 great local guys... Michael, GJ (can't pronounce it) and Martin at one of the pubs around one of my favourite areas of Amsterdam... Leidseplein. I was particularly interested in Martin who is head manager of KLM's entire fleat of flight attendants - he travels the world for free. He offered to put me up in Zurich around the 11th August, but I doubt I'll be around there at that time. I like the Dutch... they take the cake for being the friendliest Europeans so far. Anyway, another photo opportunity arose as I was walking home at around 2am. The major square was a buzz with hundreds and hundreds of young people all soaking in the atmosphere etc
. I couldn't really figure what was going on but the atmosphere was eclectic and I wish I had of got a photo. So a major tip I would say to 'travellers in waiting' is to get yourself the smallest possible digi to capture these moments. Mine is too big to fit in my pocket 24 hours/7. Anyway, I'll endeavour to continue to capture the spirit as I move through my travels. I've also noticed other travel bloggers how they integrate photos into their text... would be interested in learning that as well.
Today is my last day in Amsterdam. I'll be travelling on the 8.05pm train to Munich which will arrive 10 hours later at around 6am. Travelling overnight didn't save me anything - I had to pay an extra 33 euro, on top of my eurail pass, to secure a bed in a 4 bed compartment - which is a step above the 6 bed compartments I had in China and Vietnam.
Yesterday I ventured out of Amsterdam to a place called Zaanse Schans. An interesting place, I saw lots of windmills, tasted unbelievably good Dutch cheese, checked out the wooden clogs for sale and generally had a relaxing time roaming around the sights of this interesting place. Martin tells me that wooden clogs are no longer worn by the locals - they are funny looking things and look so uncomfortable! It was good to get out of Amsterdam. I'll probably head out to Haarlem today to visit Corrie Ten Boom House - anything to kill a few hours before my journey to Germany.
