Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Amsterdammerung

I'm back from my all too brief vacation and I'll just say this:

Amsterdam abso-freakin-lootely ROCKS!

HIGHLY recommend everyone visit that city at least once before they die. The Dutch are the friendliest people I've ever met in a European city. Be careful of the Morrocan cab drivers though. They'll rip you off.

I love Amsterdam, been there twice. The first thing that comes to mind when they think about Amsterdam is hookers and weed but there is so much more to the city than that. I really need to go back sometime.

It's been about 30 years for me. It was a very cool place to visit.... glad I got to go..

I was stationed at 32 TFS Camp New Amsterdam (USAF)from 1977-1979 located about an hour from Amsterdam. One of the best assignments I had during my 21 years in. One evening walking around the center of Amsterdam I was approached 17 times, for a buy. Your right about friendly people, and speaking english is their second language. I did have a motorcycle, Kawasaki while there, only rode in the warm months because of the cold rains and ice in the winter. Would love to go back for a visit.
Bob

Ah yes ... Amsterdam.
I was based in Brussels for many years and would drive over to Amsterdam at least once every 2 or 3 months.
What a city!

Brussels was boring in comparison.

Amsterdam has one of the nicest airports I've ever been in. Too bad it's the only part of the city I got to see.

Although I was about 30 minutes away from having to spend the night there! (A colleague on another flight did have to spend the night there!).

Funny, I had almost exactly the same thing happen. Coming back before Christmas, I had a layover in Paris, and as always, Air France was late (this is not French-bashing, Air France has a HORRIBLE record for lateness!), and so naturally, there were a TON of people at the ticket counter being given alternative flights and stuff. Well, EVERY single person before me got a free overnight stay in the heart of Paris, and when I got to the gate "OH Monsieur, you are VERY lucky!! I have a seat for you on the next Flight to Atlanta!" Yeah, lucky alright, it was in the middle of the rear section, in the middle of the middle row on an entirely full flight on a Boeing 777 (in my opinion, the WORST flying Cattle Car ever for Coach Class!!!!!) It was a long 9 1/2 hours back!!! I would have gladly waited a day!

Ahhhh, but you do still have your memories....

Actually, in one way it did turn out to be fun! The flight attendant came around during one of the 12 dinners (yeah, Air France seems to ALWAYS be servings something to eat, some of it I could identify, other not sure WHAT it was other than "Gourmet"), and offered me some fine French wine. Well, being the diplomatic type that I am, I politely declined and she decided to press the issue. "Does Monsieur not like French wine?" So I said nice, "No, I rather prefer a good GERMAN wine, thank you!" Well, they put the plane on autopilot and 2 husky Flight Attendants came back and prepared to throw me out the Emergency Exit, when, sensing disaster, I lied and blurted out, "But I have Deux Chaveux at home in my garage, Vive La France!" OK, well, maybe I did make that last part up, but I did tell her I preferred German wine at which point she loudly announced to everyone (including a German family 2 rows ahead of me who sat like Church Mice-COWARDS!!!!!) that "Monsieur does not like French wine, but prefers German wine (spit) instead! What a shame!!" Could I have figured out how to turn a French Flag upside down (how does one turn the Tri-colour upside down?), I would have...

Yep... food & wine in France is the main pastime. I dont like german wine myself, too sweet in general.

I went over to 'The Dam' on a CX500 when I was 22, stopped for supplies ... then made our way to Dusseldorf in Germany for some fine beer swilling and all night partying. The germans make ****** wine but know how to party, fo sure!