We awoke, had breakfast, and headed to the Hauptbahnhoff to catch the train to Amsterdam. There was a huge crowd on the platform, but I noticed a guide on the sign telling you where to stand to board first class, and so we were able to get our own cabin. They were actually couchettes, so we rolled them out and played cards. A woman joined us at one point for about half of the trip.

Not much happened until we arrived at Amsterdam. There was the usual trouble figuring out how to use the subway system, made harder because everything was closed for Sunday.  But I eventually figured it out and we found our way to our hotel, the Armada Hotel. It turned out to be right on the canal, in the middle of the old town, so the location was perfect. We were up on the very top floor, fourth floor. There was a tiny elevator that Judy took, but it didn’t really work. Still, the room was nice enough.

We dropped our stuff and went to get dinner. We wandered to a square, Rembrandt square, and ate at an Italian place, which was pretty good. After, we left the girls with Judy and Phyllis and I went to see the red light district. Phyllis was shocked by it all, especially the women in the display windows. I’ve seen it before so I knew what to expect, but I guess it is pretty shocking in a way. Marijuana cafes were everywhere, and the smell of it was all over.

Phyllis seemed a little down on everything. I know how she feels. When you actually see Europe, it isn’t always what you expect it will be. Oftentimes, it’s dirty, and crowded, and inconvenient, and people are rude, and the whole thing can make you feel both scared (especially if you have kids) and also disillusioned. And homesick. But we talked it over and I think she’s still excited about the trip overall. The first night in a new city is always the hardest.