Vacation confirmed

Safe and mostly sound at our beautiful hotel in the Jordaan district of Amsterdam!  We both remarked at how at home we feel here – the bicycle culture really is astonishing. English-speakers abound.

Our room is on the third floor of a 360 year old home, at the top of an impossibly steep spiral staircase. We overlook a charming quiet canal with consistent bicycle and pedestrian traffic. At this point the noise from below is enjoyable and adds to the ambiance; we were able to grab 3 hours of sleep just fine in our jet-lagged states. We’ll see how long that lasts.

We grabbed a few sandwiches (not subway!) before we arrived but we’re hungry again and will be hitting up a local market. Unsure if it will qualify as a supermarket or not.

The flights were ok. Liz was happy to have her own personal video screen, but she’s had a nagging headache since we left about 24 hours ago. Me…. well I had an interesting episode during the incredibly slow, deliberate descents. It felt as if the whole right side of my sinus cavity behind my eye was being stabbed by a tiny, angry travelocity gnome every few seconds.  It was debilitating and a very new experience for me. After effects persist but they are fading. Hoping sudafed will open up my sinuses for the next flights. 

We’ll have a Heineken for ya. Until next time.