We return to Amsterdam so relieved to not be submerged in children only to be awoken by the sounds of kids playing in the schoolyard next door. All of our travels up to this point were during end of year holiday and so we never knew the apartment was next to an elementary school. We laughed and made coffee.
The weather turned dramatically when we got back. The wind picked up and it rained. It rained and it blew and it blew and it gusted and poured. I felt like I was back in Oakland in a good storm and we stayed indoors. Jen rested her feet, her gut, and her brain... I got restless. I was going out for soup and groceries, but in general wanted more. This city is so big with so much going on and I had not seen any of it. I stayed put for days and finally we started getting out and seeing more of the city in small amounts.
We walked over by Jordaan where the AnneFrank house is. Walked right passed it, I think, but we were more amazed by the boots in the window and the church bells. The light was amazing after the rain and wind. We kept walking, got lost, and finally made it back to the house for some more soup. THere is this soup place down the street. THat is all they do, make soup. over 100 soups on recipe with about 6-10 every given day. I think I had a split pea and jen an indian chickpea. We ate our fill and discovered the power of iTunes and buying movies and TV shows and went to bed after eating some chocolate covered shortbread.
Life is good... tomorrow we go to Haarlem to meet up with Cassie and Lorenzo, and Sophia, Henri, and Tigo on thier home turf.
11 January 2007
07 January 2007
Travelling to Dole, France
We left Morzine at about 12, Jen and I needed to go get some proper food and walked into town before being trapped in a car. I wanted Crepes like the day before, but we settled on some basic baguette sandwiches.
Jen, Niko, Florence, and I packed into a french minivan with the kids, Noah and Nalu for a 4 hour drive east and north around the lake and into the french countryside.
We arrived just at sunset, and after being shown our room in the old walled city's abbey, we went for a quick walk around the town. Narrow windy streets in irregular patterns and shapes, we circumnavigated the moat and the birthplace of Louis Pasteur. We laughed at the wigs on the manequinns and back to the house for some couscous.
I think this meal summarized everything fantastic about our trip. We drank the local specialty win, Arbois, and ate a traditional dish in an old abbey with Florence's mother in her classy style and manner. It was a perfect end to an action packed short trip... oh, and by now, Jen was eating and drinking with the best of them!
The next morning off we went through Paris on the TGV (tay jah vay) and back to Amsterdam for another relaxing week in our fantastic apartment overlooking the Oudeschans canal.
We arrive in Paris and have to take the metro RER D to Gare Nord. We got into the station just fine where Jen immeditely lost her metro ticket. We got to our platform, after going down the wrong RerD platform (four tracks) and got crammed onto a train full of suitcases. Each stop got more and more busy and the suitcases jamming the entry were frustrating the passengers shoving to get on. I got a good whiplash and kneed a fellow square in his boys, if you know what I mean, and finally settled back onto our bag stack to get off at the next stop.
We got lost in the station. I knew we needed to exit the Metro, but with Jen having lost her ticket, was hoping we could stay in it until the train station. But no. Finally we found the exit to take and I went out, bought a ticket, validated it, handed it to her over the glass, and she got out of Metro Jail. We went to the Gare. It was MAGNIFICENT. We needed to get some food and went to a walk up/stand up cafe and got a couple ham and cheese sandwiches and a coke. Some beggar gypsies came up asking for money while we were ordering, I almost went off on them. I never respect any homeless or beggar who is asking for money while you are eating. Afterward... fine. I held my tongue.
We boarded our train after getting our ticket and reservation validated by what Jen termed the "most french man she had ever seen".
I drank Stella, Jen coffee, and back to Amsterdam we went.
Jen, Niko, Florence, and I packed into a french minivan with the kids, Noah and Nalu for a 4 hour drive east and north around the lake and into the french countryside.
 |
| From Morzine, France |
We arrived just at sunset, and after being shown our room in the old walled city's abbey, we went for a quick walk around the town. Narrow windy streets in irregular patterns and shapes, we circumnavigated the moat and the birthplace of Louis Pasteur. We laughed at the wigs on the manequinns and back to the house for some couscous.
 |
| From Morzine, France |
I think this meal summarized everything fantastic about our trip. We drank the local specialty win, Arbois, and ate a traditional dish in an old abbey with Florence's mother in her classy style and manner. It was a perfect end to an action packed short trip... oh, and by now, Jen was eating and drinking with the best of them!
 |
| From Morzine, France |
The next morning off we went through Paris on the TGV (tay jah vay) and back to Amsterdam for another relaxing week in our fantastic apartment overlooking the Oudeschans canal.
 |
| From Morzine, France |
We arrive in Paris and have to take the metro RER D to Gare Nord. We got into the station just fine where Jen immeditely lost her metro ticket. We got to our platform, after going down the wrong RerD platform (four tracks) and got crammed onto a train full of suitcases. Each stop got more and more busy and the suitcases jamming the entry were frustrating the passengers shoving to get on. I got a good whiplash and kneed a fellow square in his boys, if you know what I mean, and finally settled back onto our bag stack to get off at the next stop.
We got lost in the station. I knew we needed to exit the Metro, but with Jen having lost her ticket, was hoping we could stay in it until the train station. But no. Finally we found the exit to take and I went out, bought a ticket, validated it, handed it to her over the glass, and she got out of Metro Jail. We went to the Gare. It was MAGNIFICENT. We needed to get some food and went to a walk up/stand up cafe and got a couple ham and cheese sandwiches and a coke. Some beggar gypsies came up asking for money while we were ordering, I almost went off on them. I never respect any homeless or beggar who is asking for money while you are eating. Afterward... fine. I held my tongue.
We boarded our train after getting our ticket and reservation validated by what Jen termed the "most french man she had ever seen".
I drank Stella, Jen coffee, and back to Amsterdam we went.
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