I totally lucked out on my long haul from Minneapolis to Amsterdam and had no one sitting next to me, so that was a plus. The flight was pretty uneventful, but I did finally get to see Everest. Watching it on an 8" screen was probably not as impressive as seeing it in a theater on the big screen, but I missed that window of opportunity when I chose to see Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials this past September ( I imagine I had some busy weeks which is why I didn't see them both). Anyhow, as I mentioned I had an uneventful flight. Coming into Amsterdam Schiphol on international flights is so easy and efficient, or at least always has been for me. No sooner was I off my plane than I was on my train to Groningen (about 2h 15 min to the north).
The train wasn't bad. Pretty much exactly like riding Metra into Chicago from out of town. Except there weren't a bunch of guys listening to loud music and pounding down 40oz beers like they were going out of style. Instead I had a guy sit next to me, who was no bigger than me, and somehow take up about 60% of the space of both of our seats combined. How he managed to spill that much into my seat, I'll never know. I know if I wasn't tired and jet lagged that I probably would have created an international incident. Boy, did he get lucky.
Dirk picked me up at the train station. You may remember Dirk from my travels four years ago to Istanbul. He is now married to Catheleine (they were dating then). Hylke and Marlies were with them on that trip. If you don't remember, look back on this blog about the fantastic group from the Netherlands I got to meet. I'm not going back over it now.
So, Dirk picks me up at the train station in his car. The SMART car looks like a limo compared to the compactness of Dirk's vehicle we're in. My knees were up to my chin and Dirk is probably about 6'4". I try to imagine Sean in a vehicle like that and realize he would have to rip the front seat out and sit in the back to fit his 2 meter height. Nevertheless, we get back and squeeze out to make our way to their awesome apartment.
They've been super gracious in letting me stay a couple nights with them in Groningen. Completely love their place. An awesome high-level floor apartment with great views over the city and across the street from work for them. Plus--they have a really cute dog, Jochem (I had met him years ago, too).
They had a great plan for my first night--playing some poker and having some drinks. This was a blast, as I really enjoyed getting to meet a bunch of their close friends. I pretty much wish I could bring them all home to meet everyone back there--they are all that fun and enjoyable to be around. Hylke was there, but Marlies couldn't make it, so that was a bit sad. I don't expect this to be my last trip to the Netherlands, though. That means there's always next time.
After drinks, cigars, and poker, I came out ahead 35 Euro by taking third place--which was a nice treat this evening. I'd like to say I lost on purpose, so as not to be the American who came in and mopped the floor with them playing poker, but that isn't my style. I lost because I had bad cards and I am not good at bluffing.
I've watched the first half of the Packer game. I am just too tired to stay up and watch the second half. I'm also too tired to keep writing away--and most of anything else would continue to be glowing praise for the people I've been surrounded with today.
I hope all of you have had as enjoyable day in the United States as I have had here.
The train wasn't bad. Pretty much exactly like riding Metra into Chicago from out of town. Except there weren't a bunch of guys listening to loud music and pounding down 40oz beers like they were going out of style. Instead I had a guy sit next to me, who was no bigger than me, and somehow take up about 60% of the space of both of our seats combined. How he managed to spill that much into my seat, I'll never know. I know if I wasn't tired and jet lagged that I probably would have created an international incident. Boy, did he get lucky.
Dirk picked me up at the train station. You may remember Dirk from my travels four years ago to Istanbul. He is now married to Catheleine (they were dating then). Hylke and Marlies were with them on that trip. If you don't remember, look back on this blog about the fantastic group from the Netherlands I got to meet. I'm not going back over it now.
So, Dirk picks me up at the train station in his car. The SMART car looks like a limo compared to the compactness of Dirk's vehicle we're in. My knees were up to my chin and Dirk is probably about 6'4". I try to imagine Sean in a vehicle like that and realize he would have to rip the front seat out and sit in the back to fit his 2 meter height. Nevertheless, we get back and squeeze out to make our way to their awesome apartment.
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| Jochem is awesome! |
They had a great plan for my first night--playing some poker and having some drinks. This was a blast, as I really enjoyed getting to meet a bunch of their close friends. I pretty much wish I could bring them all home to meet everyone back there--they are all that fun and enjoyable to be around. Hylke was there, but Marlies couldn't make it, so that was a bit sad. I don't expect this to be my last trip to the Netherlands, though. That means there's always next time.
After drinks, cigars, and poker, I came out ahead 35 Euro by taking third place--which was a nice treat this evening. I'd like to say I lost on purpose, so as not to be the American who came in and mopped the floor with them playing poker, but that isn't my style. I lost because I had bad cards and I am not good at bluffing.
I've watched the first half of the Packer game. I am just too tired to stay up and watch the second half. I'm also too tired to keep writing away--and most of anything else would continue to be glowing praise for the people I've been surrounded with today.
I hope all of you have had as enjoyable day in the United States as I have had here.
Have a great time, Chris! Keep the updates coming.
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