We arrived in Amsterdam and went to the car rental area to find the agency that we booked our car rental through which was to be at the “Amsterdam Airport”. It was, in fact, not at there at all. We went to the phones and after about $5.00 of Euros we, nor the dutch uncle that met us, could figure out how to dial the strange number supplied on the voucher.
We asked the other agencies and they all refused to help us because we had been stupid enough to book at an agency other than theirs. We went to the airport information booth and they weren't too keen because this agency didn't pay the airport any rent. She did allow that they had a van that came by and gave cursory information as to where we could find it.
We went outside and asked all around and nobody had heard of this pick up spot. Anyways, welcome to the developed world. We eventually found the pick up location that took us to the stupid place. It was a half hour away from the airport in a maze of roads and ramps and turns... this was to create a major problem for us when we had to drop off the car but I won't get into that. The moral of the story is: we were in the world which we knew well: if you had the bucks and you gave them out, you were worth helping. Otherwise, you're on your own, sucker.
We had a very warm welcome from Diana's family. All of them went way too far to accomodate us. We had a personal tour of scenic parts of Leiden. We went to the pilgrim church and I showed the kids the plaque for our ancestor, John Robinson, who was the pastor of the Pilgrim church who sent off the Mayflower to Plymouth Rock. Diana's dutch all came back to her and her relatives were all suitably impressed. As usual, they found my attempts amusing. (To my humiliation, I was corrected on some of my improper use of the English language in this blog by my dutch readers...Argh!) We went to an old traditional dutch village (Volendam) and we went to Amsterdam where we stumbled (honest!) into the outer fringes of the Red Light District where the prostitutes show their wares. That became the trip highlight for the kids.
We went on a great bicycle trip for 3 or 4 hours around some smaller villages which became the highlight for the older members of the family. We ate very well so I think all the weight we lost in Africa came back after a couple of days of those irresistable dutch pasteries...
We found our way to visit my niece and her family in Brugge, Belgium. They put us up in their 4 or 5 star boarding room right in the middle of the old city. It was a fabulous break for us and Brugge has stunning old buildings with remarkable architecture.
From there we buzzed off to France to see my uncle's grave site near Cintheaux south of Caen. He was with the Montreal Regiment of the Black Watch and I have always been inspired by his sacrifice to preserve the good things that we have attained in this world: freedom of speech, democracy, individual rights, etc... A lot of these things are beginning to crumble away in my opinion and I went to be reminded of the cost of these good things.
We had a very warm welcome from Diana's family. All of them went way too far to accomodate us. We had a personal tour of scenic parts of Leiden. We went to the pilgrim church and I showed the kids the plaque for our ancestor, John Robinson, who was the pastor of the Pilgrim church who sent off the Mayflower to Plymouth Rock. Diana's dutch all came back to her and her relatives were all suitably impressed. As usual, they found my attempts amusing. (To my humiliation, I was corrected on some of my improper use of the English language in this blog by my dutch readers...Argh!) We went to an old traditional dutch village (Volendam) and we went to Amsterdam where we stumbled (honest!) into the outer fringes of the Red Light District where the prostitutes show their wares. That became the trip highlight for the kids.
We went on a great bicycle trip for 3 or 4 hours around some smaller villages which became the highlight for the older members of the family. We ate very well so I think all the weight we lost in Africa came back after a couple of days of those irresistable dutch pasteries...
We found our way to visit my niece and her family in Brugge, Belgium. They put us up in their 4 or 5 star boarding room right in the middle of the old city. It was a fabulous break for us and Brugge has stunning old buildings with remarkable architecture.
From there we buzzed off to France to see my uncle's grave site near Cintheaux south of Caen. He was with the Montreal Regiment of the Black Watch and I have always been inspired by his sacrifice to preserve the good things that we have attained in this world: freedom of speech, democracy, individual rights, etc... A lot of these things are beginning to crumble away in my opinion and I went to be reminded of the cost of these good things.
As I stared at his grave, the emotions began to stir up in me and I began to weep. Of course I never knew the man but I well know the measure of loss it was for my family and then you multiply that by many thousands of lost lives... While I was in these thoughts, a small branch from a tree broke off and jarred me in the shoulder. There was not much wind to speak of and the trees were not that close. I felt like I was being told: “Get on with it. Wake up! Stop your grieving. There are still battles to be fought. Go out and do your part.” Then again, if you're a logical sort of person, it could have been that a tree branch simply broke off and hit me...
From there we took the secondary roads (France charges you through the nose to drive on their good highways: $80 of tolls in 8 hours of driving...) to Paris where we saw the Eiffle Tower, Montmartre and Champs Elysee ..all in one (wretched!) day. After fighting Paris traffic, it was basically a blur to get back to the Amsterdam airport to fly home.
I'll be adding some pictures in the next couple of days but to end the journey, I'll close with the faded words that can yet be read on the stone at the grave of my uncle, Lieut. Alan R.W. Robinson:
There is music
In the midst of desolation
And a glory
That shines upon our tears.
I am very pleased with the fun your team had when you visited us as shown by your pictures. My concern is why you have to tell us that you are back to the "DEVELOPED WORLD".
ReplyDeleteWas it a way of making fun of us as if from hell and back to heavens?
what should other people say esp from places like Tokyo, Sanfrancisco,seattle,the emirates, durban etc.
mark the use of your words.