Bloody British Airways!

I checked my bags through from Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam) to Glasgow, even though I had a connecting flight at Gatwick. But by the time I reached Gatwick & turned my mobile on again, I'd received a text message that my flight to Glasgow had been cancelled. Bugger!!
I was really looking forward to catching up with a dear friend from Sydney in Glasgow that afternoon. BA said they could put me on a flight in to Edinburgh - no thank you! So a wait of a few hours & a coach transfer into London Airport & I finally boarded another plane to Glasgow.
Unfortunately, they either forgot or lost my bag, & after numberous attempts to get them to deliver it that eve, I was stuck without a bag till mid-morning the next day.
Thankfully, Margaret who I was staying with in Glasgow lent me some undies & a lovely long girlie nightie to sleep in that night. My friends would have loved seeing me in this nightie!!
I did get to catch up with Paul & received all the goss & more than a fair share of hugs. It was great to see a Sydney friend again. He even offered to lend me one of his g-strings. I had to decline - just couldn't see myself filling it out.

Wrapping up Amsterdam

I saw a few more bits & pieces in Amsterdam. There was a 1 hour canal cruise that went through the main canals which was a tad boring. But the houses lining the canal were nice to see, & we also went past a canal cleaning crew that were dredging stuff from the bottom like bikes & supermarket trolleys.
On my last day I visited this old house (can't remember the name) in the red light district that housed a Catholic Church in its attic back in the old times. This was because Catholicism was banned in the country & people could only worship on the quiet.
Just strolling around Amsterdam is really nice. It's got a relaxed feel about it. But even though most people think it's a tolerant place, me thinks this is only on the surface. Intolerance may lay just beneath.
I went out with Thijs, Joris, & Sjors on the second last night for dinner & drinks, which was lovely - more alcohol consumed. Then Thijs & I met up for a few drinks & a chat on the last night at a nice little gay pub somewhere near the Dam.
The weather had been great for the whole five days I was there. It started to rain as my plane lined up on the runway for take-off.

In Search of a Groovy T-Shirt

On my travels, space is a premium in my backpack. As such, the 'bulk' of my souvenir shopping has been purchases of stickers & magnets - light weight stuff. As far as clothes are concerned, if I buy something new, something old must be left behind.
So in Amsterdam, a place filled with a variety of fascinating t-shirt designs, I decided to take the plunge & make a new purchase. But after hours of trying on shirts (& messing up my hair in the process), I finally chose one that I was only semi happy with.
Nevertheless, it is an Amsterdam t-shirt & it's quite funky too!

Sightseeing in Amsterdam - Part 2

Part 2 of my sightseeing comprised of a day full of art.

First of all, the Rijksmuseum, the national gallery of the Netherlands. The artwork was stunning & included many of Rembrandt's painting including 'The Night Watch', together with Vermeer's 'The Milk Maid' & many more Dutch artists. I spent a good two hours there.

Next was the Van Gogh Museum that houses the largest collection of his art in the world. A whole floor filled with Van Gogh's painting, sketches, & sculptures. Just splendid!

Verbal Abuse in the Red Light District

Not once, but twice I got a good telling off for nosing around the red light district in Amsterdam.
The first time, I'd asked a shopkeeper (cool looking guy) where the red light district actually was. We got the map out & pointed to the two streets that bordered the district. But he said I should go down the side alleys cause that's where all the action is.
So, I did. After I found the two main streets, I was about to head down a particularly red looking street (in daytime this is, mind you), when this big black Caribbean guy shouts out at me. I turned around & he yelled out "you don't go there, that there's not for women", & grabbing his crotch he continued "that's only for real men, so you stay away".
Of course, I pleaded ignorance at first, not really wanting to see this guy mad, & said I was heading to Dam Square. He said I needed to go another way. But then, my courage returned, & I said "& what's it to you anyway where I go, it's really none of your business". With this, he walked away. I went down another alley that day.
But two days later, I found myself in the same vicinity, & thought I'd have a look see. So I walked down this very in-your-face alley, & this other short black dude with a big baseball cap on walked past me & said "stupid f%$#^&* bitches stay out of this place".
I didn't wander past again.

Sightseeing in Amsterdam - Part 1 - Anne Frank's House

I'd purchased an 'IAmsterdam Card' on the first day for 3 days at 58 euros (a bloody lot of money). It gave you access to most of the sights & museums in town, as well as a free canal trip & free public transport.
On the Monday, I lined up for nearly an hour to see Anne Frank's House. It was quite a museum, based in their actual residence, & through all the various rooms where the families (the Franks & 2 others) stayed in hiding throughout the Jewish purge of Amsterdam. In the end, some very challenging questions were asked, such as:
* Freedom of speech is a fundamental element in every democracy, so should individuals be allowed to publicly denying the holocaust?
*Freedom of religion is an individual right, so should religious leaders be allowed to use holy scriptures to provoke discrimination against homosexuals?
*The right to demonstrate is a fundamental democratic right, so should neo-Nazis be granted the right to organise a march that passes in front of a synagogue?
*Freedom of the press goes hand-in-hand with freedom of speech, so should biased media groups or individuals be able to publish (print or media) opinions/ideas that conflict with another person's fundamental rights?
Hmmm...something to think about...

Drinks & Dinner with Rob (& Sjors)

Rob, a lovely guy I met when out with the boys drinking on Sunday, invited me out for a drink on Monday afternoon. We met at a cafe next door to where he lives, which is right smack bang on one of the main canals & streets in town.
Our afternoon drink turned into drinks (plural), going from non-alcoholic to mohitos to white wine. And Rob suggested we get some bitteballs (think that's what they're called), which were deep fried balls of gravy - deliciously addictive!
He invited me for dinner then called Sjors to see if he was available for dinner to - he was. Rob whipped up a terrific dinner, & we ate, drank & talked into the eve.
Then I walked (partly inebriated) with a smile from a lovely night.