Day 2

The plane ride over was uneventful. My seatmate was very friendly and was on her way with her husband and friends to cruise the Danube from Budapest. (Have to keep that idea in mind) Opened the visor and was greeted to this view…

We flew over England

And after a short hop across the English Channel we arrived in the Netherlands

After deplaning, I walked for a good bit to cutoms, which my legs were greatful. I naturally picked the line with the agent who felt it necessary to grill everyone entering the country with twenty questions. I think he knew I wasn't playing his game and he let me pass after I told him I was here to see Max Verstappen!

After finding my checked bag I looked for transportation to my hotel. I arrived 5 hours before check-in, so I wasn't I a huge hurry to get there. I Googled my hotel and looked at public transportation. Amsterdam is the model city for public transportation and biking. Unfortunately, I had some difficulties trying to figure out the difference between trams and trains and how to get the tickets. I looked at doing the bus, but the guy selling the tickets said I'd have to do a lot of walking with my huge suitcase. So I got a taxi. Realized my mistake right away, €54 by the time I arrived at my hotel.

I was able to check-in and check my bag, but my room was not ready. So, I decided to figure out the public transportation and try a dry run for the route I would be using the next few days to Circuit Zandvoort where the race is being held. I was able to find the closest tram stop to my hotel, purchased a three day pass for €23 and found my way to the train station that would take me out to the track.

On the way back to the hotel I decided to stop a couple times and check out the down town area. It’s like nothing I’ve every seen. The buildings are squeezed together and so old. Such a cool place. So many different shops too.

And of course the canals.

Here’s a neighborhood street I walked down

When I arrived back at the hotel my room was available. They gave me top floor corner room with great views! Changed out of the clothes I’d been wearing for the past thirty hours and got comfortable. Big mistake! Woke up three hours later, and hungry.

And the view from my room is awesome!

I Googled places to eat and came to the conclusion I'll be out of money before I leave Amsterdam. So I thought I'd save some money and go to the local grocery store. Guess what I found.

Looks a little different

And they have the impulse buy section too.

I don’t have a microwave but I do have a small fridge. So I bought me a nice salad and something to snack on. But one problem. No utensils. I looked everywhere for disposable flatware, but that is obviously an American thing. No extra waste products in this city. So on the way home I found my goto dinner until I can figure out the flatware issue for the room.

All the essentials of a well balanced diet!

Walked through a couple local neighborhoods on the way back to the hotel. Amazing how they know which bike is there own.

Living on the canal would be interesting.

And if you’re not up to biking everyday you can get one of these.

Well that’s all for day two. Tomorrow the fun begins! Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix practices.