Two Beers and a Pretzel

I made it from CVG (Cincinnati) to CDG (Paris) a half hour early on Delta/KLM/Air France – so I was sure my luggage would actually make the transfer with me this time (unlike 3 years ago).  The only bummer was that I had gotten used to the awsome entertainment system on international flights with airlines like Emirates, Air New Zealand, and others.  This plane had a few yellowing LCD panels around the cabin, and everyone had to watch the same movies.

After a nearly 3 hour layover, It was a quick 45 minute shot to Amsterdam.

A few of the more surprising things I found in Amsterdam were:

1) The plethora of Argentine Steak Houses where a Bife De Chorizo costs about three times more than it costs in Buenos Aires.

2) It’s not exceptionally easy to find a SIM card that works with the phone I got in India.

3) It’s very easy to take the wrong train, but also easy to figure it out and take the correct one.

Beyond that, the expected was also fascinating:

1) You can get a 2nd hand buzz just walking down the street.

2) Bicycles are more plentiful and more dangerous than cars for pedestrians.

3) It’s very picturesque

I caught the train to Dordrecht to find Ingrid.  Once there, I still couldn’t use my new SIM card, so I broke down and called her on my $1.40/minute US cell phone.

Just outside the train station in Dordrecht.

After meeting up and dropping off my bags, we headed out to a nearby Spanish bar for a few beers, finger food, and some pretty good Caparinia’s (made with real Cachaca).

Sorry for the blurry pic, but after 28 hours with no sleep and a few drinks, nothing was in focus for me anyway…

Today we’re leaving to visit Erinn and her family in Frankfurt after Ingrid gets off work – exactly 1 year to the day that we all met in Costa Rica.