Hello! This very long overdue account of Part 1: Amsterdam, my trip to Europe with Dean Weidling is finally under way! To see what HE had to say about it go here to His Web Log: http://zulu-time.weebly.com/europe-2015
But first the pre-trip anxiety. Yes, I feel it before a trip of any distance or duration! It usually manifests itself in me obsessively packing and repacking my suitcase.
This time I felt extra anxiety as not only was I trying to figure out how to pack extra light (40 lbs max for 1 bag to check, 12 lbs for a carry on) for a multi-country (to be determined) multi-season trip of an unknown length (also to be determined), I was also moving out of the perfect little efficiency I had been staying in for the last few months because the house was being sold! With this move I would once again be domicile-free. I had already been income-free for a few months. Now what to do with my things? (and it’s still an issue).
Onward…
After hanging out with grandchildren in Atlanta, and a too brief visit with my dear friend Mas in Baltimore (Dean covered this on his blog)
we were off to Amsterdam….
One of the very first things you notice in Amsterdam is their awesome public transportation system. It’s clean, modern, efficient, user friendly and utilized by everyone:
This is in stark contrast to the horrible public transportation I have used in the States (mainly in Florida) but that is a subject for another time.
Second thing I noticed was the smell of pot everywhere! I’m sure you could get a contact high just sitting close to someone on the metro!
Which reminded us, after flying all night we were ready for some delicious breakfast:
Visiting anywhere in Europe for me is less about doing and more about being in the space. Hanging out in café is the perfect way to be still (this is a practice that is highly undervalued in the U.S.) and get the vibe of a place.
And I still dream of the delicious coffee!
Throughout this trip Dean never did find iced tea like he wanted. Usually it was in a tiny bottle, made with sparkling water, and rarely came with any ice. I often had the local beer because why not, and it was cheaper than the iced tea!
Amsterdam is beautiful with all its canals and quaint buildings. Bicycles and dedicated bike and foot paths are everywhere! It’s an easy place to visit as everyone speaks English. Put on your comfortable shoes and walk!
Some cool and practical bikes:
I am always particularly curious about social conditions of wherever I find myself and the political systems in place. I’m always looking for positive ways that work and countries that look out for all members of its society. The Netherlands ranks #4 in the Good Country Index (United States ranks #21) Good Country Index . “The Good Country Index is pretty simple: to measure what each country on earth contributes to the common good of humanity, and what it takes away.”
How this translates in Amsterdam is that there is much less disparity between the haves and the have nots and there are safety nets in place to help out those at the bottom (like an income and health insurance!).
Ok back to touristy things!…
In case you are interested….
60 interesting facts about the Netherlands
But speaking about gender inequality…
If you are a man you can use the outdoor pissoir for free. Feel better now, Dean?
If you are a woman you have to pay to use the toilet! How is this fair?
Ladies keep change handy! This is the inside of a bathroom stall. It’s impossible to show just how tiny this, sink and all.
And on the subject of tiny-everything is tiny in Europe!-cars, streets, homes, people.
A cute bread delivery truck!
You drive your smart car on the pedestrian pathway. Now that is smart!
No need to park it on the street! Just pull it up on the side walk!
I was glad we visited OBA, the very cool library in Amsterdam. We even set up a skype interview there on my little net book for our pet sitting experience later in London.
I wanted to visit the floating cat shelter and pet the kitties but they were closed when we went by.
Dean and I didn’t know each other very well when we began this journey. This will change very quickly!
We already know right away that we have completely different personalities and interests: 
Of course I’m about the cheese!
This is Amsterdam!
Ha ha I couldn’t help myself!
Check out this lavender cheese!
I also like poking around in all of the little shops like this cow shop (duh! it’s cows!):
This first stop in our 6 month, 9 country journey was amazing! And what happened in Amsterdam stayed in Amsterdam!
Stay tuned for our next stop…Germany!
My Life as a Tumbleweed 