Day 5

I am writing this blog at the end of the day. It was a day I don’t think I’ll be able to express in words, but I will do my best.

I woke up pretty worn out from the previous day. The sun completely zapped me from all my energy and I think I could have slept all day. Unfortunately, it was race day! And as my wife likes to say, I can sleep when I’m dead! Shuffled down to the restaurant for breakfast. Great as usual.

I headed out soon after and realized I wasn't the only one ready for race day! Here are a few pictures of things I saw on the way to the track.

This appears to be a car dealership in the middle of old town Amsterdam. I don't recognize this make of vehicle. I belive it’s electric though.

Red Bull waking us up with some serious bass.

I was torn about having rain today. Of course I didn't feel like getting cold and wet. But on the other hand, a wet race would make things a lot more interesting. Can you spot the rainbow.

They have similar dunes like the beaches of the Carolinas.

Instead of staying at a hotel like me. You can bring the camper for the weekend like NASCAR.

Well look what I found. I had no idea what this was until this morning when I arrived at the track. I thought it was a hand sanitizer dispenser. But when I saw everyone rubbing it all of their faces and arms, I decided to take a closer look. It’s a sunscreen dispenser! Man could I have used you the past two days! Duolingo needs to have sunscreen earlier in the leasons instead of neushoorn.

The ladies checking tickets for our section informed me that I was the first one to arrive for our section! To be early is on time! Looks like we’re going to be participating in the opening ceremonies.

Since I was early. I decided to climb the grandstands and see what it was like from up there.

Although it gave a better view of the whole straight. I was happy to be three rows off the track and feel the power of the Formula 1 cars. Plus, I had the big screen TV right in front of me to see all of the rest of the racing action.

I was all geared up ready to root on Max Verstappen along with all the other Dutch fans.

I bought myself a hat on the way to the track to help keep the sun off my scorched face. Of course it ended up being overcast for most of the race. I was fine with that.

The drivers parade. Also great to have the front row seats to see them this close.

It was a very entertaining race. I spoke with a few of my section mates. Meet two gentlemen from Liverpool. I'm pretty sure they were speaking English, but I felt bad having to ask them repeat everything they were asking me. Met a couple other gentlemen from Chicago. A lady from Argentina. And several friendly Dutch folks. Max ended up coming in second place!

Racing Bulls won third place! Thier first podium in a while and a first for diver Isack Hadjar. He’s French, so the people in Paris tomorrow should be happy and in a good mood. Of course McLaren and Piastri won first place.

Another tedious walk back to the train station. It took me two hours to walk a little over two miles. But it was worth every step. Speaking of steps, I looked at my Fitbit app and calculated that I walked 67,693 these last five days! And I was worried I was going to get fat while I was gone.

Showered and changed and decided to actually have dinner my last night in Amsterdam downstairs.

Well the serveester (waitress, see Duolingo taught me something) recommended the smash burger. Who was I to say any different. It was really good! A bit expensive, but my feet couldn't walk another step today.

Time to hit the sack. I have to wake up early tomorrow morning and catch a train to Paris France. Somewhere different to talk about tomorrow night. Until then, goedenavond!