Amsterdam

[Radio]

I'll be out of reach a few days the week of Sept 29. At least I assume so, I've got security screwed down pretty tight such you can't get into ORR.net from most IP addresses on the planet. I might be able to get in, we'll see.

Going to Amsterdam on the company dime. And the company airplane, too. Unfortunately, I'll be busy doing company stuff, too, most of the time.

So ya'll behave and mind the store while I'm gone.

[NN5I]

Don't let Dutch courage get you in Dutch while you're there. Also, if you go out, make sure it's Dutch treat.

[Andy N1ORK]

Have a good time Wade! Bringing a radio?

[Radio]

Originally Posted by Andy N1ORK

Have a good time Wade! Bringing a radio?

Probably not.

Likely just a Kindle. This particular company we're going to see makes interior components for aircraft. They usually show our folks a pretty good time.

Rumor has it I'll get a "random" pee-in-the-cup drug test within 2 weeks of my return.

[Radio]

It occurred to me with all this talk of government shut down down on Oct 1st or thereabouts, that I could just become stranded over there in Amsterdam in a decent hotel about a block from the train station with a company credit card...and no way to get home because all the airports over here are closed.

That would be just awful.

[NN5I]

Actually I don't think the US Government runs many of the airports in The Netherlands.

Doesn't run most of the ones in the USA, either. Especially in Jo'ja.

But maybe you were worried that ATC would shut down. Nope, the controllers aren't subject to furlough, being "essential public safety personnel". You'll just have to come home. Poor fellow.

[Radio]

I think I'll take the 5th wheel. I found this nice RV park with fresh dairy products nearby.

No kidding.... http://www.visit-utrecht.com/en/even...erij-hazenveld

[KF5BET]

Holy COW....I just went to their website...How do you pronounce that?

I wonder if the cows would wake you up like roosters?

You might have a little trouble getting the 5'er in there Wade! Those sure do look like little campers!

[Radio]

Originally Posted by KF5BET

Holy COW....I just went to their website...How do you pronounce that?

The name of the town is pronounced "UU trekt" most Americans want to say "YOU tech" but there is no "Y" and don't forget the "t" on the end. It's not far from Amsterdam airport.

I have checked the weather over there. Unlike Atlanta weather it will be remarkably consistent 63 F high all week. In Atlanta we get something different everyday.

Getting on the airplane in a few hours.

[NN5I]

Originally Posted by Radio

The name of the town is pronounced "UU trekt"

Well, that's close enough for non-government work. Almost, anyway. Nearly almost.

[Radio]

I'm baaaaaaack.

[NN5I]

Hi there, Baaaaaaack. Is that a Dutch name? What have you done with Wade?

[Radio]

The old parts of Amsterdam and Utrecht (where I was most of the time) are fascinating with the old canals, brick paved streets and beautiful old architecture. In fact the old buildings are truly amazing, especially at night with the way they have them lit.

They are proud of their modern architecture and design. Some of it works really well. And some it, well, some of it just didn't work well at all.

They have a lot of cows. Really nice cows. Had a very nice steak while there but they are more proud of their dairy products. The company cafeteria (or canteen) gives away free milk, your choice of regular or buttermilk.

French fries are served in a bowl by themselves and come with a side of mayonnaise for dipping without your having to ask. Actually it's a special kind of mayonnaise with some spices made just for french fries. They do some things better than we do!

They have no idea how to scramble eggs or fry up bacon. The eggs and bacon at the hotel were primarily for their American guests. I nearly starved. The coffee wasn't bad.

It's hard to find real Dutch food. Amsterdam is a crossroads of Europe, most food is from other places. But we found a real Dutch restaurant and it was great! Lots of meat and potato kind of stuff.

They do trains and chocolate way better than we do.

Our sauerkraut is just as good as theirs, so we are doing it right.

There were no fat people there. OK, there were 3 fat people. My boss, a German guy (not dutch) and a girl at the store with her arms full of cereal and potato chips.

There was no trash on the streets. And only one bum who was hassling people for money. He spoke to us in Dutch, to which we responded "we're Americans" and he says "Oh great! I'm half American" Swell, we meet one sorry assed bum and he's half American. I nearly shoved his butt into the canal!

Soft drinks such as Coke are sweetened with real sugar, not corn syrup. They taste better and I tended to drink fewer of them. They have better beer than we do, such that American beer is not only unavailable but also sneered at.

There are no pick-up trucks over there. Did not see a single one. They drive ugly, funny looking little cars. A few Fords, Toyotas, no Chevys or Hondas. They have small travel trailers and class C style RVs.

Our taxi drivers were better dressed than we were.

The women are attractive but it's not like they're all "Bond Girls" and they are quite tall. I'm 6' 1" and in a grocery market turned around and looked a young lady right in the Adams Apple, her cute face looking down at me!

Lastly, bicycles. You would not believe how the bicycle is so integrated into city life there. I'll stick up some pictures in a few days. Imagine a bicycle parking lot one acre big and stacked two deep on racks! Now imagine bikes parked in any spot where cars and people do not move. Add to that the bikes that are in constant motion all around you. And you still don't get it, because you just have to experience it for yourself.

Everyone we spoke to was friendly and helpful and didn't mind us being Americans. In fact, they like McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, Levis jeans and Coca-Cola. The older ones recall with gratitude that we freed Europe from itself twice and deflated the Soviet empire all in one century.

Yeah they like Americans over there. But they don't understand us. Especially we old school types. I'm looking forward to going back.