Final days

I had an excellent time in Maastricht and I have Phil C. to thank for the trip. It was a beautiful city, quiet with a night life. The city of 100,000 opened it's arms wide and made me feel right at home. I met a girl from Taiwan and we spent the day together, taking pictures and relating stories. We had dinner later and met up the next morning for breakfast before we parted ways. She was very interesting and I envied her travel resume, residing and studying in Sweden, a native of Taiwan, and now she was hanging out with the California dreamer in the Netherlands. Life sure can be sweet. When I got to my room there were six beds, all empty, so I thought right on I got the whole room to myself. I dropped off my things and went out on the town for a few hours, lounging in the park and taking in all the scenery. I walked across the oldest bridge in the Netherlands. When I got back to my room I had a few roommates. Brenda and Freddy were from Argentina, they had just gotten into town from a wedding in Germany. It took us all of 10 minutes before we were out in the town, the Three Amigos.. I speak better Spanish than dutch so I felt right at home. We carried ourselves through the rigid streets of Maastricht hoping to stumble on a beer. It didn't take long before we arrived at a medieval bar where they served pink beer that, for me at least, didn't taste horrible but indeed a sweet taste! But when it comes to alcohol I'm lost, but every now and again I sit down and toss 'em back. Before I forget, I broke down and did it but only once so my pride remains intact, I ate McDonald's while I was away in Maastricht, but that was earlier in my day and the urge was irresistible. It tasted mighty good, the sandwich itself was good eating but tasted the same as the states, however the fry sauce leaves something to be desired! I was excited when I saw my fries without a heap of mayonnaise on top. Europeans sure do love mayonnaise. On our way back from the bar we witnessed a man crash a bicycle after what I assume was an alcohol fueled bike ride. The Argentineans looked on in surprise and concern while I laughed hysterically. I felt rude for a second until I went to kick a soccer ball and fell on my ass while they snapped a photo of me. I'll have to email them and get the picture. They invited me to stay in Buenos Aires any time, they're extremely nice people and I hope all the best for all the people I have met on on this trip.

Short and sweet

After three days of procrastination, I have finally arrived at the Stayokay hostel in Maastricht, Netherlands. I made it to the train station yesterday with all the intentions in the world of going to Maastricht. I met an Irishmen in line and decided to postpone the trip for a day, I just figured these things happen so I went with it . The train stations in Amsterdam are similar to a American DMV. You receive a slip of paper with a number and then you wait. The Irishman and the American, tramping about the city. We headed first to a local bar called the 'Hill Street Blues' pub, where the atmosphere was inviting and the staff was friendly. The stickers on the wall and the American music playing gave it a nostalgic feel. We walked around the city for an entire day, I did most of the leading. Eamon, the Irishman, was impressed with my ability to traverse the city. It seemed that he never quite made his way away from the red light district. He had just arrived from a three year stint in Boston. By the end of the night we were discussing plans of meeting up in Paris, but after closely looking at my funds I thought better of it and headed south. So this morning I make it out of town before 10 a.m. and the streets are calm and mellow, almost ghost town like. I left with most of the essentials, lap top, tooth brush, a few items of clothing and a need for adventure. I have to say.. the trains in Europe and more luxurious, bigger seats and more room. It was a 2.5 hour trip which I barely felt. But in mid train ride I remembered that I had forgotten to take down the address of the place I was staying. I wasn't to worried because I had a computer on me, the only trick was finding an internet cafe. I stepped out of the train and into the complete unknown, I knew really nothing of this city except that it had more pubs per capita than some other place, at least goes the story that the peculiar lady mumbled to me on the train. It was surprisingly warm and I had to use the restroom. Out on foot I go, no idea where to go. I just marched forward until I came across a mcdonalds, where I made a pit stop but didn't eat the food, I have yet to eat any kind of fast food since I've been here. My next goal was to find an internet cafe where I could check my email and find the address to my hostel. It took a few trys, one gentlemen refused to speak to me, but I finally made my way to my hostel, all from the directions and visuals I remembered from the net. I was walking across a bridge where I thought it may be, simply from a good vibe, low and behold off on the left was a building that looked identical to where I was suppose to be staying. This whole process took a good hour and a half. I was stoked at my ability to remain calm and find the place. The hostel is nice, the staff is friendly and the rooms will keep me out on the city til the early morning hours, that is to say, it's a few beds and concrete but nice. I must go now, it cost me 5 euro to rent the wi fi for an hour and I have to get a few miles under my belt, time is a wasting.

A cloudy view on an easy day

The morning after

I woke up this morning to a quiet street. I wasn't sure what time it was or what day I was waking up to. I rolled out of my bed and wandered to the window. No people remained, my street was empty as far as I could see. Trash is everywhere but after a party like that, it's amazing the city is still standing. The Nederlanders take pride in their city and it shows by how fast they clean this place up. They swept, pressure washed and even cleaned the canals before the party and they're in full swing doing it again. Steve made it to the Leidseplein and a few other places but I wasn't so fortionate. When I did finally wake up, hours and hours later, my bed was covered in change, clothes and electronic devices. I decided that since the party was everywhere and their was no 'one main thing' to see that it would be just as cool to remain in my neighborhood. When you've had a few and wander down some of the streets, it's not to difficult to think you know where you are when in reality you have no idea. Today I have a different agenda in mind. My mothers birthday is coming up in a few days so I'm headed out for a day of shopping. I will be back! take care everyone.