Amsterdam!!!

Bow wow…what a wonderful time in Amsterdam…the people were so kind to Dad and I. I noticed Dad’s calm composure when we landed at the Amsterdam Airport. People smiled and directed us to customs and baggage. A nice man took my paperwork from Dad and called several other trainees over to explain what to look for. No surprise but Dr Longo knew what she was doing and we passed through without incident. I wish I could tell you about the plane ride but sadly, I slept the whole way. Dad did the same. American Airlines was wonderful to me…a kind passenger vacated his seat so I could stretch out. Dad said the food was Meh and the WiFi was spotty. Didn’t matter to me…since he didn’t share his chicken. The wonderful lady in charge brought Dad 3 little bottles of whiskey which helped knock him out.

Amsterdam was dreary at first look…cloudy gray skies. We left the airport and found the train to Centraal station in downtown Amsterdam. Dad was grimacing under the load of the backpack and the rolling duffle bag…fortunately Apple Maps was right on…Dad knew exactly where to go in the terminal. A kind lady steered Dad to the pay station where he bought a transit card…it really made things really easy. We managed to get onto the train and I had an exciting ride…looking out the window the whole time. Didn’t see any dogs so I knew I was special just being there. From Centraal station, we went outside and caught the Tram to Princengracht Street just like Apple maps said. We walked half a block along a canal…and arrived at our flat. Really nice…but you had to be careful of the bicycles. Dad grabbed me a couple of times…you. Can’t hear them coming…and they are everywhere. More bikes than cars. At the flat, we met me new friend Pieter. He was great…so nice and accommodating. Peiter went with us everywhere…Dad said that he was raised in Amsterdam and knew it fairly well.. Lots of walking for all of us.

The first afternoon, we walked down the street to a Pub where Dad had lunch…a Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Chicken sandwich on Chibata bread. It looked really good…alas Dad ate the whole thing and I didn’t get even a small bite. Just wrong. Dad enjoyed a small beer and cappuccino with his lunch. Pieter had a beer.

After lunch, we went back to the flat to unpack and settle in. It was a bit nippy outside. Dad intended to stay up…but we both ended up taking a long nap. Boy was I tired. Dad and Pieter went out for pizza to a little Sicilian restaurant that Pieter knew. Dad said the pizza and wine were outstanding! He had a Prosciutto and Mozzarella pizza…much like the Baratta/Speck Pizza Dad and Paul when they go to LaPosta. He said it was fabulous. The owner thought he recognized Dad from before…they all agree that Dad looks Dutch. Dad said that everyone speaks English so communication was no problem. Home to bed for both of us…I think we both slept for 10 hours and woke up fresh and ready to go! With Pieter in the lead, we took off for the Vet to make an appointment to see the Doctor. Dad hoped to get an EU Pet Passport for me so travel will be easier. The young man at the counter was so nice. We made an appointment for the next day. The vet was Dierenkliniek De Wetering. Dad found them on the internet. I get to go back on Thursday to see the Doctor. Then we went to lunch on the square at a restaurant called LeOpera. They allowed me to go inside and sit. The food was Dutch. Dad had a Beef Croquet and a dark seasonal beer. He loved the croquet…but alas, he didn’t share with me. The staff was very kind and brought me water to drink!

After lunch, Pieter took us on a walking tour of Amsterdam. Lots of hustle and bustle…and again, a zillion bikes. Dog have no rights in amsterdam…I swear, they were always trying to run me over. Pieter said that I received many comments and compliments in Dutch from the people we passed. Two older ladies stopped and asked Dad if he would give me to them…they seemed nice but I think I’ll stick with Dad (and Pieter for now). We went to the open air flower market and walked by numerous cheese shops. Pieter took several pictures of Dad and I…I really like being out and about instead of sitting at home. We walked by an English Church…interesting. You had to go through a narrow passage to get to the church. Pieter said that the church was small at first…then started taking over some of the houses as it grew. Very cute…they had an organ playing as we walked by. Dad stopped and reflected for a few minutes…it was nice to see the church was part of the fabric of everyday life. Down the passage was a street with bars and restaurants. We did see an organ grinder playing in the shopping district. It scared me a bit…I don’t really like loud noises and crowds so I was happy when we headed back home. We actually had to out again…Dad forgot to change his hair from 110v to 220v and it died (blew up!). So we ventured across town to an electronics store where Dad bought another one for $8. On the way home we walked down a street with Red Lights. Strange. They had semi-naked women in the windows staring at me…and I smelled a funny, perfume smell. Dad and Pieter quickly had enough…and we exited quickly down an alley and headed home. Dad fed me and the he and Pieter ventured out for dinner at a steakhouse. Dad said it was rather touristy and the staff was a little standoffish. The food was adequate…Dutch Beef…his least favorite meal in Amsterdam. Dad and Pieter came home…I was a little perturbed that I was left behind. I decided to stay right by the front door looking for them to come back…I saw a lot of people, bicycles and a few cars go by. They FINALLY came home and we all went to bed.

Thursday was Vet day. The Doctor was really nice. He looked at Dad’s paperwork and then filled out an official EU Pet Passport for me. So I can travel anywhere in the EU without question. He is also familiar with the paperwork I will need to return to the states…we made an appointment to return to the Vet in January when we get back to Amsterdam. Only one complaint. The vet told Dad that I was slightly overweight and needed to lose about 4 pounds from my glorious 42 pounds. Dad agreed to cut back on my food a little…what’s up with THAT! Eating and walking are my two favorite things to do. I may have to sneak some extra food when Dad’s not looking…back to counter surfing! Dad and Pieter dropped me off at the house and road bicycles to the Van Gogh museum. Dad said it was spectacular…learned a lot about Van Gogh that he didn’t know. Saw one of the four Sunflower paintings that he painted…sadly, Mr VanGogh was insane. He cut off his ear after a fight with Paul Gauguin and spent many years in an asylum. Poor. Man committed suicide when he was 27. Dad said there were many self portraits…it was almost as though the artist was trying to show the world what was going through his mind. Dad’s favorite painting was Purple Iris’s in a Vase…it reminded him of his Mother who loved growing irises when Dad was growing up in El Paso.

Well…not everything has gone smoothly. Dad’s iPhone crapped out and would not connect to the internet. Big Problem!!! All three of us went to the Apple store…for 21/2 hours. The technician finally figured out the problem…but Dad has to reload all of his apps by hand. Time consuming and frustrating. But, it appears that the phone is working properly now. Dad has Ryane’s old phone with him…but it was still tied to AT&T. Poor Ryane had to spend time getting AT&T to unlock her phone in case Dad needed to use it instead of his. If Dad’s phone continues to work, he’s going to install a European chip so he can receive local calls in Mougins. Dad and Pieter went out for dinner to a little family owned restaurant around the corner. Very elegant. The waitress was on her second day but she was so nice. Dad said that she was the girlfriend of the owner’s son. The owner found out that Dad was from the states. He has bought two cars in Maryland…one from Columbia and one from Baltimore…both old Cadillacs. The owner loves old American cars. He has a convertible 1965 Mustang that he raved about. Dad ate veal…Pieter ate venison. They had a prawn appetizer in shallots and olive oil with local. Bread. And, of course, a glass of Scotch and a bottle of Bordeaux Pomeral Wine from France. Dad said that we would be living close to the Bordeaux region when we are in Nice…and will probably make many visits. Wine doesn’t agree with me much…I prefer water and the red would stain my fur I fear. Still Dad loves the stuff so I guess we can go.

Dad got up early this morning to pack for the trip south to Nice. Pieter went with us to the train station…was concerned that we might get confused. Dad confused? Never. We took the trolley to Centraal station and had no trouble finding our boarding location. We are on the train now headed to Paris…very quiet and, as soon as I finish dictating this blog, I’m going to take a nap. I like the train better than the airplane…smoother and much quieter. The people around us are very patient with me giving e a little room to spread out.

So, the adventure continues. Next challenge…changing train stations in Paris. We will be taking the subway from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon. Dad says we will be in Paris for 2 hours…so lunch and a walk along the Seine are the plan…assuming we can get from one station to the other easily. We will see.

Hope you are enjoying reading this as much as I am enjoying writing it. More adventures to come!!!

Maggie (and Doug)

PS…thank you Pieter for being such a gracious host in Amsterdam and thank you Angela and Wilhelm for sharing your flat…we couldn’t have had a better landing in Europe.