Brugge to Amsterdam

Sunday, August 29, 2010

I  could have entitled this blog entry “Parking lots and prostitutes" since that is how yesterday began and ended. When we tried to leave the parking lot in Brugge, we were so sure that we knew how the payment process worked from having it explained to us in Brussels. But alas, after we had paid, when we tried to leave, the gate wouldn't go up. We parked, went to the machine and tried it again. Still no luck leaving and the cars were backing up behind us. Finally an attendant showed up and got us straightened out, but we knew that it was going to be a long day! On the way to Amsterdam we stopped at the Royal Delft porcelain factory. Imagine this--the toilet bowls are made out of the famous blue Royal Delft. Seemed somehow wrong to use them for their intended purpose. We finally made it to the Amsterdam airport where we planned to park the car. Circled it a few times trying to find the parking lot. We originally went to short term, but when we found out that it cost $30 a day to park there, we just headed right for the exit. Of course they charged us $3 just to drive thru the lot! When we finally got parked we rode the shuttle to the terminal (where we purchased the shuttle tickets to bring us into downtown), but we missed our stop and had to walk two terminals back to where the ticket stall was. Don't you know that by the time we finally found it, they had closed for the day. Then we had to walk back two terminals to the other shop. Finally got it all straightened out, but we were already tired from driving and walking all day. That night we took a 2 hour walking tour of the red light district. Very interesting-but also exhausting. Today we went to the windmills, a cheese factory, and a wooden shoe factory. It rained all day and it is very cold. People are wearing winter coats. We are very grateful to have our jackets, but we are still cold. By the way, did I mention that none of the beds have top sheets? They just have a bottom sheet and a duvet. We are happy for the warmth of the duvet, but are just hoping that they change the covers between customers!