We made it!
Amsterdam what are thee?
We were soon to find out. It was a short train ride from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal station. The train was blue with yellow pattern across the seats and sides. We were getting closer.
When we arrived we had to quickly disembark and take the ferry across the river to our second hostel experience of the trip. I can count the times I have ridden a ferry with my fingers. Accordingly I thought we had to pay for our fair. We saw the ferry approaching from the other side of the bay. The cloudy sky put down wisps of rain and wind.
It was full of people eagerly awaiting to disembark. A warning alarm alerted the dock the ferry was approaching.
The loading dock dropped and instantly a flood of people emerged from the ferry.
Protip: If you look down at the ground you will notice that there is different colored concrete. The spot where the ramp extends is not intended for oncoming passengers, instead you are to wait on the side.
It wasn’t until or 27th transport we figured that one out. Thankfully we were in Amsterdam. People seemed to be much more friendlier there. They didn’t mind our ignorance to proper loading procedure.
We were crowded on. Surrounded by fellow travelers, tourists, or locals. Everyone there had their own story for being on that ferry. We won’t ever find out, so here is my take on that experience.
We crossed the river and tried to find where we would be stowing our things for the time.
It was CLINKNOORD!
A hostel built into the side of an art university. It was a mason building with a central stair way into the building. A revolving door led you into the Clinknoord. The hostel was split into different levels. Check in was in the center level.
A circular desk with a two attendants let us know what’s up. Sebass was to check us in. He was a Spaniard, who spoke three languages with jokes thrown all through them.
He gave us the run down of how the hostel would function, bike rentals, game night, where our rooms where, the bar’s happy hours, what to do with coffee house treats, you know the usual.
It was a great experience and instantly we felt more at home. Our rooms were booked last minute. Which meant we had the lovely opportunity to spend the night in the basement.
It actually was really nice cause it was where the bar was and the kitchen we never used.
It was mid day, and we were not the first nor were we the last to check in to our room of 10 people.
Now my memory fails me at this moment so if I misname some of the temporary room mates I apologize.
Dean was first. Dean was from Connecticut. A little on the hefty side, no hair on his head, a groomed beard, topped with Oakley prescription glasses. We shook hands and seemed instantly to become friends. We talked plans about what to do and where to go in the capital.
Yet as ambitious as we were, we also felt a nap and some planning would probably be a better use of our first night there. It was also midweek. The pop up techno club at the tourist attraction was last night. Thankfully Tyler and I had a corner bunk bed. True there was another set of bunk beds immediately to our left, but thankfully only one was occupied.
It was taken by a fellow Californian from San Diego named Paul. A charismatic and energetic person to be around.
We passed out for awhile.
When we arose it was time for some hostel pizza. Which was…..
Pretty excellent.
NO MORE AIRPORTS!
We ruled them out because Europe is supposed to have super awesome rail system right?
We found one that would put us into Berlin near night fall on a Thursday. Finally Duolingo was repaying all the hours I put into that app. The e ticket we purchased was in German. I could read most of it, but some parts I wanted further reassurance.
Luck would have it that we would have two new room mates, and they weren’t dudes either! Julia and Maria, two Swiss girls staying two nights. I asked if they could reconfirm that I did in fact buy the right ticket.
I did.
Now it was time to go stretch our legs.
It was cold, but not cold enough for shoes I thought. Flip flops would do for me.
We crossed the river on the ferry and started walking with a faint direction in mind.
Go that way until you see red lights.
