The Most Fun You Can Have On Two Wheels
Beer Wisdom
Sunday July 5, 2009
Listening To
- Gogol Bordello-Wonderlust king
- Matt and Kim-Daylight
“And in the daylight I don’t pick up my phone/Cause in the daylight anywhere feels like home” -Matt & Kim
I have been blessed with another great Euro-weekend in Amsterdam. The weather literally could not have been better, food and drink any more delicious, or company any more accommodating/invigorating/fun. The units here received both Friday and Monday off, so following work Thursday I flew out to Amsterdam. Before I jump into the trip, I have a funny story to relate. I was sitting in on a decision meeting for an incident in Africa Thursday afternoon, where many different components relay their knowledge, ideas, etc. to the commander who eventually gives his guidance. The commander is a rough Marine Colonel. He was a little upset that the CIA analyst who was supposed to begin the meeting with her brief was late, but she came in about five minutes later and made up for her lack of punctuality…with beer (and a valid reason) but more so with the beer. It was her last day on the job before she transferred out so she came with 
The Canals
some parting gifts. Everyone laughed as she started to pass the bottles around, but nobody wanted to be the first to open the beer and drink, especially during the meeting, at least not until the commander gave his go ahead. So we sat there with beer in our hands until the Colonel looks over at me, and says “are you even cleared to be in here?” My sponsor vouched for my clearance and permission to be inside. The Colonel, pleased with knowing I was good to go looked back at me, and said, “Well hell, what are you waiting for, sit down and have a beer.” Everyone after that felt comfortable enough to start enjoying their beverages. Not a bad way to end the workweek with a “cool Colonel” and a cold beer.
After an awesome meeting, I flew out to Amsterdam and eventually, after some train mishaps and bus confusion, met up with Sara. If Amsterdam can boast anything with great pride, it is that it is home to the most beautiful people on earth. Everyone is attractive. It’s almost a bit overwhelming. Maybe it is the prolific biking (70% of traffic in the city is on two 
Pancake Bakery
mmmmm so bad, but so good.wheels) keeping everyone fit, but everyone is good looking. So that was a pleasant first observation. Second great thing about the Dutch, they all speak English and are very friendly.
Thursday night Sara and I roamed about the city on bike, picked up some fresh food at a local grocery, and had a delightful picnic by the canals. There is an amazing boat culture that exists in the city. Having dinner on the canal with friends is the thing to do. It is a remarkably beautiful place, well-kept and very quiet for a large and active city. Friday Sara worked in the morning until 1300 so I did a little exploration (i.e. I got lost while running and spend almost an hour figuring out where I was). I ventured into the Heineken museum and enjoyed a very refreshing local brew and learned that the e’s in the Heineken logo smile at you. Check it out, it’s pretty cool. During the 60s the Heineken people experimented with the WOBO bottle, a brick like bottle that can be used to build homes. This was a forward thinking response to the homeless problem the Heineken president witnessed while on vacation in East 
Sunset in Amsterdam
Asia (I think that’s how the story goes). Props to you Mr. Heineken. If anyone can make drinking beer a philanthropic project, I am all for it. After work Sara and I ventured around a little bit more, and staked out where we would go to dinner that night. After a delicious dinner of lamb and veal we went to a very cool pancake place for a totally unhealthy desert of pancakes with whipped cream, ice cream, powdered sugar, and syrup; the 5 staples of an Elf diet I think. We rode around to burn off the million calories consumed and stumbled into an enormous free concert in one of the numerous parks. Well, free for us since we sat on the hill behind the stage and listened contently.
To celebrate Independence Day we made plans to go to the beach. I hadn’t ever equated the beach with Holland, nor warm weather, but both exist there. With some coworkers of Sara’s we rode the train a mere half hour to the North Sea to enjoy a day of sun, sand and saggy….well it is a clothing optional beach, but those who should embrace the freedom to shed their beachwear 
Biking
Bringing out the inner child via the bikesadly do not. I didn’t take any pictures there, so no need to avert your eyes.
I made the mistake of not wearing any sunscreen, and am now a little uncomfortable wearing my pack, but I needed to toughen up my skin anyway. Wearing a parachute tomorrow will be slightly uncomfortable, but will only make my fall to earth the more sweeter.
The idea of swimming to England to remind them how happy I am that we threw off their yoke of oppression crossed my mind, but the Dutch are such nice people I didn’t want to leave their company so soon. Saturday night Sara and I biked through the city some more, enjoying the sights and sounds of the park and then retired for the night.
It was great to be in the company of an old friend this weekend-having familiar conversations and learning about what great work Sara is up to was exciting. Her coworkers are doing great things trying to put a little warmth and love into people who are definitely seeking something when they come into the hostel very strategically located near the Red Light district. The sex industry is very disheartening, but I 
The Beach
My face doesn’t say it, but I’m in a lot of pain. Sunscreen should be applied kids, don’t be like me. also understand the Dutch dilemma of whether or not you regulate it very strictly (which they have) and make it as safe and cornered off as possible since it will exist in some manner regardless. It is not an easy issue. The worst part of it is the human trafficking that occurs. One of many organizations dealing with similar issues is Love 146. Google them and check out some of their videos if you want to learn a little bit about the human trafficking problem in our world. A good company to support. Sara’s organization runs hostels that provide meals and lodging for very very very cheap and are all staffed by volunteers. The best program they have is a one month cleaning position for anyone without a place to stay. They get lodging, meals, and a little money for one month while cleaning the hostel rooms. Although I’m no uberfan of Reagan (or jellybeans for that matter), he was definitely right in saying “the best social program is a job.”
Time to board my plane back to Stuttgart. I hope to return to Amsterdam someday, I can’t recommend it more highly for a fellow sojourner or admirer of 
Boats
Yet another free concert drawing the attraction of some boaters. beautiful people. I hope everyone still reading had a great Independence Day-take care all and hope to hear from you soon.
Not really….
I’m really American. Notice the outfit, it was Independence Day.
