Amsterdam is the strangest place ever...

So I used to laugh at the jokes in Austin Powers when goldmember did some akward things, because it was akward, and I could recognize that as an American (probably no matter where I was from).

Now I understand why it was really funny. Dutch people are AKWARD!

Let me tell you about the un-beliveable series of events that befell me today.

First we get out the door at 7:45am London time. That is 1:45 in Knoxville, 12:45 in Memphis, and 8:45 in Amsterdam. Already our clocks are gone again, and we are confused.

We head to the "Kings Cross Station" to grab the Picadilly line to Heathrow at rush hour on a Tuesday. Absolutly nuts. There were 8 of us, each with big luggage, and backpacks. We had to get on 4 seperate trains. Two at a time was the best we could do.

An hour later, we finally reach the "Tube" stop to get the bus to Heathrow. We are only 7 minutes from the airport, and its 9:00. The trouble is that only David and I were there. The other 6 were behind us. We waited, and eventually, David and Holly showed up. We were concerned because the line we were on splits, and heads WAY up north, and Heatrow.

Of course, Jantzen and Charles had gotten on the wrong train, even though it was the right line. Fortunatly they realized it before it was too late. At the last stop, they swapped trains and all was well.

We all got to the airport in plenty of time. Which is damn good, because the line for security got insane. They were testing a new system of checking people (full body scans) as well has training new employees. AND one of the machines was broken, so they had two lines funnel into one. David and I were in the line a solid 20 minutes before Jantzen and Co., but just the same, they were almost all through security before us.

It took 45 minutes to go about 100 feet.

We get through to find out the plane is delayed AND they can't tell us what gate to go to until 50 minutes before the flight. so we just got to sit in a random area that one of the British Airways employees thought MIGHT BE where to go.

The fight is then moved to the OTHER SIDE OF THE TERMINAL. No big deal, we get there with time to spare.

Flight goes well, its not even an hour long. EXCEPT that as we are coming into Amsterdam, the wind of the North Sea (Nord Zee) got really bad, and our pilot had to bank in a manner that exposed the bottom of our right wing directly to those gusts of wind. I almost died, not because the plane was in danger, but because my heart almost stopped waiting for the impending barrell-roll. It didn't happen, and we landed well.

Once we get off the plane, we are all pretty exhausted, but still have work to do. We go to get the train tickets, and you wouldn't believe it, but they won't take my debit OR credit card. Neither will the pay phones (Sory Mom, Sorry Dad). Finally, Jantzen buys my ticket, and we get on the train.

About 25 minutes later, we are in Cenral Amsterdam. Acutually we were at Amsterdam Centraal Station. We start to head out, and the problem is that we have no Euro's, and no idea where we are going. We step out of the station, and I turn to David and say "So, where are we going?" and immediatly, a Dutch man turns and begins to give us directions. "Oh, you don't have Euros? Let me show you where to convert them" "No, really, that wont be neccesary, we will find it." The guy leads us for about 90 seconds, and then points into the Money Exchange, and says, "I'll wait here, and you guys can maybe give me a little change for the trouble" "FUCK" (says Jonathan) "Told you" (says Jantzen).

We get our money, and decide we will all throw some coin together for the guy, just because we don't want confrontation. We do. Its about a Euro ($1.30). He comes in, and puts his hands out, and Brit hands him this. He looks at it and says "One Euro. You have a lot of nerve. You shouldn't insult people like that."

This was just the begining. I'm tired or typing the story though, and want to go back to the table.

We are at an internet cafe/coffeeshop...What can I say...Priorities.

Stay Tuned...