Amsterdam

Hello!
We took the train out of Gare Du Nord in Paris, sat in two train cars, and slept or listened to ipods as the train traveled through France, Brussels and into Holland. (John stayed back in Paris with Evan and Max Groel, as they missed the train, but they boarded the next train and met us an hour later).

Upon arriving in Amsterdam, Raquel met us with tram passes, so we easily exited the train station, hopped one tram, and exited at Prisenstraat. We walked down the main strip to Keerkstraat, walked two blocks down and entered our hotels. Went straight up to our room, and dressed in white, for Sensation rave at the Amsterdam Arena. Seven of us needed to scalp tickets, and most were able to buy the tickets, only two were bad buys, but those of us who were able to get in met eachother at the right of the main dj stage and danced techno for the next five hours. We left at sunrise, took taxis back to hotel, bought food and slept until 12:30pm.

We met in the lobby at 1 pm, walked along the beautiful canals to the oldest Pancake Bakery. The pancakes were made like crepes, but everyone were able to order a different type, such as strawberries and cream, chicken, onions and cheese, greek style, nutella and peaches, and 20 other types. After everyone filled their tummies, we walked to Dam Square and only 3 wanted to take the scheduled bike tour at 4, as most people were still sore from dancing. So, the rest decided go to Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum. We then met in the lobby at 10:30 to walk as a group through the Red Light District, then to another dance club.

Tomorrow the plan is to visit Anne Frank's Huis, or take a four hour country bike tour, then free time to shop before we meet at 3:45 to take a 4 pm city bike tour. Then at 7 pm dinner to try the authentic Dutch meal of Hufspot (mashed meat, potatoes and carrots) which I have found to be hard to find, because most Dutch people do not enjoy Dutch food, but instead lean towards Mediterranean food.

After dinner, we plan to have our own private canal sunset boat ride for our 4th of July celebration.

All the students love Amsterdam, love the beauty of the canals and brick houses, and also the have noticed that the locals are super nice to Americans (unlike the reception they received from the Spanish and French). It is much colder here than Paris, but the sun is out, and it is not uncomfortable.

The group seems like they've become one big family, and really work well together with planning where and when to meet for their excursions.

On a side note: Raquel, (the other chaperone, who is our hotel and bus pass person, who goes to the city ahead of us to set up our rooms, gets the room keys, meets us at the train and gives us bus passes, then leads us to the hotel from the train,) brother just died, so she will be flying home on Tuesday.

John and I will be easily be able to navigate her duties, as we are working well together, and the kids are so easy, that we will have their support as well. We will miss Raquel, but we give her our blessings, as she will be her nephew's new sole parent in this loss of her brother. I hope this blog finds your families healthy, and I will continue watching your children closely, as life is precious, and I am so very thankful we have had a very enjoyable and safe trip.

I will write again when we get to Prague!