Amsterdam Adventures -- Part 1

This past week has been a whirlwind of experiences, some I have wanted to do for a very long time.  Because I want to do the trip to the city of Amsterdam justice, I will not even attempt to put it all in one post.  All y'all are just going to have to be patient and get the story a chapter at a time.  Or I suppose you could just come back at the end of the week and read all about it then.  Your choice.

Sam helped me pack

Anyway.  As anyone who has ever orchestrated a family trip knows, it takes far more stuff than it should for 3 people to survive a week in a hotel.  But we did get loaded up and out and on the train without too much difficulty.  We were just starting to relax and enjoy the ride when the announcement came that our direct train was no longer direct.  Two more trains and an extra hour later we finally arrived at Amsterdam Central Station.  (A word about Dutch courtesy: until you are truly stuck, in the way, and about ready to start throwing people in front of the next train, everyone just ignores you.  No matter how much luggage you have or how loudly your child is screaming.)  We stashed our luggage at the station and, as it was raining rather steadily, decided that a tour of the city by bus was probably our best course of action.  I still reckon that it was, but that doesn't mean that we got much from the inside of a crowded, steamy bus.  Afterward, J and I decided that was the only tourist trap we were going to fall in on this trip.  It did however help us get our bearings on the city and find our hotel.

Our room, before the luggage exploded

As the weather was so unpredictable, flexibility was the key to success on this trip.  Nearly every plan we had was rearranged, but luckily nothing was left out.  For a few short days, bad weather, and a teething baby, we saw an awful lot of what Amsterdam has to offer.  In the morning, it was the Artis Royal Zoo, which was conveniently located a short half-block away from our hotel.

 To be continued....