Amsterdam

Trip Day 1 - October 30, 2024

I was at the exit by 7:50. I had arranged for my limo to pick me up at 9:30. I contacted the service and they said they would tell the driver. Nourdin picked me up at 8:40 and we went for breakfast. We went to one of the best pastry places in the city called Kwekkeboom. They have several locations and produce enough for supermarkets. I have no pics of the cheesecake, apple pie, and almond paste filled cookie. And suddenly they were no more.!We arrived about 7:15 in Amsterdam. 

We drove around a lot through downtown Amsterdam. Nourdin was an excellent driver. At times, it seemed he was playing Frogger. There are a ton of bicycles. His car had a special type of taxi pass so he could use lanes regular cars couldn't, even the bike lane. There were signs on the ground indicating that cars were a guest here. Basically bikes had right of way. We got surrounded at one point. 

We drove to a place where they make and sell cheese. We watched a brief demo then went to the store. I felt the prices were rather high, plus right now, cheese is way to high calorie for me, so I didn't buy any. We also went to a fishing village, but it is touristy like crazy.

Speaking of tourists, Amsterdam is overrun with them. There are lines for many things and this is not even high season. 

I wanted typical Dutch fare for lunch so went to a place called the Pantry. Again, no pics. I should take 'em, but I think it's gauche. Might do so anyway just to be gauche!

Nourdin dropped me off at the hotel and I got about a 3 hour nap. Then went to Boom Chicago for an excellent improv comedy show.  

Walked there and back both ways. Weather was nice and there were a LOT of canals and bridges to cross.

The hotel was okay, but I wouldn't book it again, because there was a lot of street noise.