Thursday, 4 May 2000:
Should have started trip to Amsterdam today with flight to Dallas. However, because my flight tonite to Denver was delayed and I would have missed the connection to Dallas, United tried to reroute me. I wouldn't have arrived until 19:00 on Friday, 5 May. With a scheduled departure of Saturday midmorning, this option wasn't at all acceptable so I rescheduled for Saturday from San Jose to Washington Dulles on to Amsterdam.
Saturday, 6 May 2000:
Finally got underway for my trip. My flight out of San Jose was delayed by one-and-a-half hours for mechanical difficulties with the plane. After a few unsettling comments from the captain about "rebooting" the plane we finally took off. Lied to throughout the flight from San Jose, I arrived at Washington Dulles only to find that my flight to Amsterdam had already departed--in all fairness, my San Jose flight touched down at the same time the Amsterdam flight should have been departing. After severe problems with my record locator and itinerary, an unhelpful United agent finally got me rebooked onto a flight to Amsterdam through London Heathrow. The plane was an absolute sardine can with not one single empty seat.
Sunday, 7 May 2000:
After landing late and almost missing the flight to Amsterdam--first because of time and second because it too (surprise!) was oversold--I finally got to Amsterdam. Customs was uneventful, not even a passing nod to acknowledge my existence. I checked into my room. (The view is interesting if not necessarily pretty.) I rested a bit, showered, and then headed into Amsterdam to take in a bit of sun and get some activity. I wandered around for about 2 hours without really going anywhere, but did manage to snap a shot of the Nationaal Monument. In my wanderings, I also found that San Franciscans aren't the only people fed up with cell phones in restaurants!
Monday, 8 May 2000:
Jet lag got me up long before the hazy, smoky, foggy sunrise. At 4:30 am, my body woke me and I couldn't get back to sleep. After a breakfast with a annoying fellow resident of the hotel (who sat at the table next to me and chattered away the whole time, interrupting my morning, lack-of-sleep stupor, I caught the hotel shuttle to the airport and met one of my colleagues who escorted me to the office. I managed to get through the ups and downs of sleepiness through the day and be halfway coherent. My desk is sparsely decorated (note the Coke™ can--for that all-important sugar and caffeine combo), but that will change, I'm sure! I hope I can sleep through the nite and catch up on lost sleep tonite.
Tuesday, 9 May 2000
Another day of jet lag, had to leave work early and sleep due to deprivation hallucinations. Went to eat Indonesian food on a busy Amsterdam street with a colleague David Traversa, and ended up staying out late chatting and drinking beer at a pub. Missed the last train and shuttle back to my hotel and ended up taking a long taxi ride with a driver who couldn't stop talking about losing money in the stock market.
Wednesday, 10 May 2000
Finally feel like I'm in the correct time zone. Meetings all day, computer problems, and great lunch at Napoli restaurant. Finally got a chance to look out of the window at my office. Ate dinner at a cool street cafe with a group of coworkers (forgot to take a picture of that!). The long trip from the city center to the hotel and from the office to the hotel is starting to wear on my nerves, but fortunately that will change on Sunday.
Thursday, 11 May 2000
After a busy day at the office, where we had a team lunch, I decided to take things a bit slower this evening. I did notice something quite odd today--I was eating a package of cookies (thanks for the snacks Uncle John [Chambers]!) when I looked at the package I suddenly was no longer really in the mood to eat them... would you wanna eat something with a picture of a kid peeing on the package??? (I know, I know, it's a famous statue, but still, is it appropriate for food packaging?!?)
Friday, 12 May 2000
Jet lag struck again today--I woke up at 5:30 and couldn't sleep. Got to work early and called Gearl. Uneventful, but full day of meeting people, solving problems, and getting used to my environment here. Went for Indian food for dinner then to a pub with David T. First beer looked so good I had to take a picture. After David bought the second round and left me at the table alone for a few minutes, I got bored and took a second one. I also decided to take one of the view from my seat out onto the square. I really like the decoration of the bar, it's quaint but got a touch of the modern as well. After a great dinner, good conversation, a couple of beers, a weird street show I unfortunately missed taking a picture of, I finally started the one hour trip back to the hotel with a wonderful Dutch train and then headed off to bed (of course after writing this entry!).
2nd Week
Saturday, 13 May 2000
Moved today from near the airport to downtown. Much better location since I no longer have to travel an hour to the city center. The hotel room isn't as nice, but the view is more peaceful. The pub from 12 May is just around the corner and the odd street show man still continues his entertainment (once again I missed taking a picture of the show!). On the weekend public pissoirs appeared on many street corners--from the pub I watched quite a few men walk up and use them. Again my colleague David and I had dinner, this time in Saturnino, an Italian restaurant. I, as most times, ate too much and left only empty dishes in my wake.
Sunday, 14 May 2000
Woke up this morning and went for breakfast at a street cafe on the Leidseplein. Afterwards I went on a sightseeing walk through the city. It seems that after noticing the public pissoirs yesterday I couldn't help but stumble across quite a few more today. They come in different versions and sizes and are all around the city. On the Keizersgracht (near the "Homo Monument" and Westerkerk) there's the two person, no roof type. On the Prinsengracht, I found a two person, covered style. On the Plantsoenweteringschans there's a one person, semi-covered model. The city even has a facade warning about where to relieve oneself: "Homo sapiens non urinat in ventum" (homo Sapiens don't pee in the wind). In addition to my pissoir discoveries today, I saw the "Homo Monument"--a series of three triangles which when viewed from above form one large triangle--a memorial dedicated to homosexuals who suffered under the Nazi regime (one of the smaller triangles points toward the Anne Frank House). It also celebrates the emancipation of homosexuals in Holland. I then walked by the Anne Frank House. The house stands next to one of the major canals, the Prinsengracht. The canal is lined with small cafes, bars, shops, restaurants, and (in the water) houseboats. While walking along the Prinsengracht, I came across a seldom seen sight in Amsterdam, a street with not a living soul walking along it! When the weather is as stunningly beautiful as it was today, the canals are full of boaters, cruising to see and be seen. Finally, I ended up just outside my hotel in a small park with funny steel sculptures of large lizards. I then met a friend from San Jose who's also in town this week for business. We walked quite a bit more, but unfortunately (fortunately for you the reader?) I forgot to take my camera.
Monday, 15 May 2000
Not much today... last nite I did remember to take my camera out to dinner with Sean. In the main square, Leidseplein, I saw an acrobat. This guy performs on the weekends--I guess only when the weather is nice. It's been great so far and quite warm, but the forecast isn't too rosy. I began to feel like I've moved here. I did laundry at the hotel. It took forever since the hotel only has 2 washing machines for all the guests and they're always busy.
Tuesday, 16 May 2000
Hard day at work. Lots of meetings (and a frustrating colleague), lots of unanswered e-mails and phone calls. Working globally is much harder outside of the US. But I'm learning a lot and I feel like I can make a decent contribution in my position here. Weather today turned crappy. At one point the wind was blowing so hard the office building shook and rumbled. Rain blew horizontally and covered one side of the building while the other remained dry.
Wednesday, 17 May 2000
Good day at work, despite less-than-successful meeting this morning. Weather was clearer than yesterday but much cooler, guess the rumors of bad weather in Amsterdam were true! :) Had Indonesian for dinner followed by a beer in the empty Leidseplein--a strange site since it is normally seething with people of all sorts. Also finally got confirmation that I'll have an apartment starting next week. Going tomorrow morning to have a look and see the new digs.
Friday, 19 May 2000
Yesterday was too long at work (therefore no entry), although I did get to see the apartment. Tonite I forgot my camera for Andrea's goodbye party. It was at an upscale bar/cafe, full of people, smoky, hazy, loud, but a great party. Going to bed early to catch up on some needed sleep.
3rd Week
Saturday, 20 May 2000
Woke up late this morning and had way too much for breakfast. Thoroughly full, I decided to nap. When I woke up, I went rollerblading through the Vondelpark for about 45 minutes. (Hopefully once the weather warms up a bit, I'll have a chance to go back and spend some time in the cafes scattered throughout the park.) I followed that with a leisurely but good workout and sauna session. I then went for a walk--again exploring new parts of the city. Next to the Amsterdam Casino, I watched an outdoor chess game. The oldtimers watching gave advice, chuckled at good moves, and clucked at bad ones and completely ignored tourists (like me!) taking pictures of the games. While wandering, I came upon the source of the gray plastic pissoirs. I walked for a little while longer until I came upon the Museumplein. It was a great mass of people playing all sorts of sports, walking and talking, walking their dogs, and just sitting in the sun (a welcome sight after the clouds and rain this week!). The grandiose Rijksmuseum was just about to close, so I didn't go in. Fantastic day, a bit cool, but perfect for talking a brisk walk.
Sunday, 21 May 2000
What a rainy, grey day. I woke up around 11:45 and then went for a leisurely breakfast at Poffertjes, a pancake and fritter shop across the street from the hotel. Afterwards, I had to face the weekend shopping crowds (damn there's a lot of people in this city!) to find a pair of dress shoes for a meeting later on this week. After searching for a couple of hours, I finally found a good pair and made my way back to the hotel. I started packing (again!) for tomorrow's move to my apartment. David and I got together for a couple of beers and dinner at a hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant. On the walk between the bar and the restaurant, what should I find?? (Of course, it was another pissoir--this time the "one person uncovered" kind, a completely new one for the photo archives!)
Monday, 22 May 2000
Long Monday, but the final day in the hotel. I moved into what I will call home for the next two-and-a-half months. Some of the features of the kitchen are miniature by American standards, but standard from my experience in Europe. The living room is big, but not well lit (thus the loads of reflections in the picture!). The bedroom is nice and definitely more comfortable than the hotels.
Tuesday, 23 May 2000
Days getting longer (not only at work, but daylight hours as well!). After work today, went out for beers with two coworkers. It started raining and became a miserably wet evening. On my way home, I crossed the Amstel river and caught a really nice view of one of the famous bridges. Tomorrow will be an early morning since I'm on an early flight to Stuttgart for a customer visit.
Wednesday, 24 May 2000
Early morning came and I boarded a plane for Stuttgart. The air was hazy, but some German countryside could be seen from the airplane. After successful meetings, my colleague Xander and I traveled back to the airport on the A8 towards Munich, from which we could see some very nice green hills. Returned to the apartment late and went to bed almost immediately.
Thursday, 25 May 2000
Taxi picked me up at 5:45 for my 7 am flight to London. Exhaustion set in during the plane ride and I slept quite soundly for most of the flight. Renting a car was more of a hassle than it should have been--returning it was even worse. On the flight back, I managed to catch a wonderful picture of the southern English country. The somewhat odd thing was that it rained most of the day in Amsterdam, but only intermittently in England with sometimes beautiful blue, sunny skies. Got back to Amsterdam earlier than expected and went to dinner with some colleagues to a Belgian restaurant.
Friday, 26 May 2000
Not much to say today, really tired and made it a short day at the office. Dinner however was absolutely spectacular and the Walem cafe.
4th Week
Saturday, 27 May 2000
Got up late after a late nite. Skipped breakfast and had lunch--falafel and a heart attack in a bag (the Dutch eat french fries, fritjes, with mayo--can you say fat?). The wind today is unbelievably strong, punishing anyone and anything that ventures outside. I walked around Amsterdam (yes, once again!) looking for new areas I hadn't really paid attention to before. I started at the Damrak, which is right outside the Central Station. If you look closely, you can see the waterlevel in the picture, quite literally lapping at the doorstep! On my way to the Damrak from lunch, I got caught up in the middle of a protest to legalize street raves--tons of people of all sizes, hair and skin colors (many with lots of ink), and lots of piercings all dancing to music thumping down the street out of trucks with large speaker arrays blaring. Decided to spend the rest of the day relaxing and doing laundry. Looking forward to tomorrow when I'm going to go get a massage and sensory deprivation tank float.
Sunday, 28 May 2000
Horribly rainy and windy day, but fantastic experience floating in a deprivation tank. I floated in the syrupy-thick salt water and listened to my heart beating and blood flowing and my breathing. I could feel my whole body relaxing and really enjoyed it. I followed the float with a massage--not the best one I've ever had, but definitely relaxing. Followed that up with a beer and then a good Indonesian meal.
Monday, 29 May 2000
Getting up and to work was difficult after such a relaxing day yesterday, but I managed to do it. Slow day and a bit frustrating since everything I needed from the states won't be answered until late tomorrow evening (Amsterdam) because of the Memorial day holiday. It was a decent start to the day, but then began to rain just about time to go home.
Tuesday, 30 May 2000
The weather is toying with me. In the morning it's at worst partly cloudy, at best sunny--but as quitting time rolls around, the sky darkens and rain starts.
Wednesday, 31 May 2000
Pre-holiday day. Lots to do, got most of it done, needed to wrap some things up before my trip to the states on Friday, but wasn't completely successful, and since no one here is working tomorrow, I'll just have to make sure to straddle time zones while in San Jose next week to get some things done. Went with a group of colleagues to dinner at Saturnino--good wine, good food, great deserts (many thanks to the anonymous group member who picked up the tab!!). After dinner we walked a bit and I had to (in my slightly intoxicated state) take a blurry picture of a lighted bridge reflecting in a canal. The group waited patiently and then we went in search of a bar. Late nite!
5th Week (no entries due to trip to US)
4th Week
Monday, 12 June 2000
Arrived back from San Jose today, feel like crap. Slight cold in California turned into full blown one on the plane--therefore I couldn't sleep, my nose is raw from the airline tissues and I'm exhausted. One interesting thing though...during the flight a guy one row in front of me and across the aisle from my seat had a small epileptic seizure and had to be taken care of by two doctors on board.
Tuesday, 13 June 2000
Managed to not have any jet lag symptoms today. Worked a bunch to catch up with e-mails and other notes etc. Cold not abating but not terribly disruptive either.
Wednesday, 14 June 2000
Early morning trip to London with successful meetings during the day. Took a brief walk around a quaint suburb of London called Richmond and then ate dinner. Damn this whole area is expensive.
Thursday, 15 June 2000
After meeting in the plushest offices I've seen, my colleague Christian and I walked around central London before returning to the hotel. We walked out onto the London Bridge (the new one--the old one is in Arizona!) and had a great view of the Tower Bridge. We then walked up and saw St. Paul's Cathedral. Wearing dress shoes and walking for over an hour isn't the wisest choice and my toes have blisters.
Friday, 16 June 2000
Very early morning to get back on a flight from London to arrive at a decent time in Amsterdam. Today Holland is playing soccer and everyone and everything is decked out in Orange (the color of the soccer team--historically from the House of Orange, the royal family).
Saturday, 17 June 2000
Went out with Ian, David W. and some random miscellaneous friends and colleagues. I had my first martini tonite--it was ok, nothing to write home about though.
Sunday, 18 June 2000
Got a surprise call today from a Colorado College alumna and friend, Nina. She's touring Europe doing research on environmental policy and programs. We toured around the city a bit, while walking around, I explained to her my fascination with public pissoirs in Amsterdam, and of course we promptly ran across one which I had not yet photographed! Then we had a great dinner and then coerced the desk person at Nina's hotel into taking a couple of pictures of us (for at least the first picture the clerk insisted on getting the name of the hotel in the picture!).
7th Week
Tuesday, 20 June 2000
Today was the goodbye party for the IC manager here who's moving to Singapore. We had a large dinner party, during which Ian and Patricia volunteered to pose for me! (hehehehe) We then walked down the street to a neighboring bar for drinks. The IC team got together for one last group pic. And for Jose, I got one of the management team.
Wednesday, 21 June 2000
Early morning today to head to London for more business meetings. Long but productive day.
Thursday, 22 June 2000
Got up early today to head to Munich for Karen's wedding. I haven't seen Karen and Christian since last summer when they came to visit me, and it was really good to see them again. Marina (a college friend from Russia) was also there--I haven't seen her in about six years. It was a long day, but very enjoyable. Shortly after I arrived in Munich we went to the Nordbad for a leisurely afternoon of sauna and massage. Then beers outside and a long dinner. True to form, we started on finishing up last minute details for the wedding that evening
Friday, 23 June 2000
Woke up early so that we would all get to the civil ceremony on time. Karen and Christian wed in traditional Bavarian garb. Afterwards, we spent the whole afternoon at a traditional beer garden/restaurant. Loads of family and close friends showed up to congratulate K & C. Again we spent lots of the evening working through last minute details, putting finishing touces on plans, and preparing for the church wedding and reception.
Saturday, 24 June 2000
Christian got me up to help set up the reception hall. We set up the stage for the band, help the caterer with the tables and also put together some of the table decorations. Things were fairly relaxed until just before the wedding--I sensed a bit of nervousness from Karen and her parents. The ceremony was nice and K & C looked great. I got to see quite a few people I haven't seen in years--mostly friends from college, but also some friends from my various stays in Germany. Very, very long reception--we got there around 4:30 pm and didn't leave until about 6 am the next morning.
Sunday, 25 June 2000
Got a few hours of sleep before having to get up and help arrange the apartment and get things ready for K's & C's guests. Had to leave before some people showed up so that I could get to the airport on time. Karen's parents dropped me off and I slept for most of the plane ride back to Amsterdam.
8th Week
Thursday, 29 June 2000
I hate early morning flights. I had to be at the airport today before 6 am--someone ought to outlaw that! Had great customer meetings and worked through documentation of my time here. It was really amazing to see everything that I've been involved in. My time in Amsterdam is about half-way done now. Holland lost their soccer game tonite and the whole city seems to be depressed because of it.
Friday, 30 June 2000
Started to take the stairs at work instead of the elevator. Since I don't have enough time to really work out (that is when the gym is actually open), I've started gaining some weight. Even though I generally try to walk quite a bit, eating out quite a bit and long hours make it difficult to stay in shape. Watched the groundbreaking for the new Amsterdam Cisco office today. Had a long dinner with David T and then went to the Leidseplein for a couple of beers.
Saturday, 1 July 2000
Rainy, dreary, chilly day. Stayed in the apartment mostly. Waiting for Gearl to show up tomorrow. Tidying up to get ready for guests. Yesterday was the close of my first 6 month ESPP period. As of 5 July, I'll officially be a stockholder--my first stock and my first company stock.
Sunday, 2 July 2000
Met Gearl at airport. After he slept to somewhat accomodate jetlag we walked through Amsterdam. Went for a late evening visit to the Anne Frank museum and then dinner.
9th Week
Monday, 3 July 2000
Slow day at work. Spent evening trying to plan trips for tomorrow and the 5th.
Tuesday, 4 July 2000

Caught an early train today to head to Cologne. We climbed the tower of the cathedral to have a spectacular view of the city. The detail in the stonework is incredible and is on all faces, whether visible from below or barely visible from up close. The facade and portal of the cathedral only hint at the incredible sights within. Originally we were going to catch a Rhein river cruise from Koblenz to Rüdesheim, but of course it was raining and we missed the time for the last cruise. Instead we hopped another train to Heidelberg (thanks to Eurail tickets!). We got there just in time for a torrential downpour, but then it stopped raining and was just a bit humid. Since most things were closed when we got there, we just walked around and took in the cool city. Our hotel was right on the Neckar. We plodded up the side of the mountain to see the castle. The path was steep but provided a some cool view of the city and the castle. Since there were no more tours for the day, we walked around and took the typical tourist pics. Before heading back down the hill to find dinner and sleep, I had to take one last pic of the castle at dusk.
Wednesday, 5 July 2000
Today we intended to go to Expo in Hannover but the planning for transportation away from the Expo was amazingly poor and we decided to skip out on the whole bloody thing. Instead, we spent lots of times on trains. We stopped off in Lüneburg (where I studied in 1990) and walked around the town. I haven't been back in 10 years and things have changed quite a bit--lots of renovation has been done and the city looks fantastic. On the way back to Amsterdam we had a stop over in the Hamburg main train station and got to watch all the freaks, druggies, and tourists mill around. There was a guy on a bender who stunk up the waiting room forcing Gearl and I to leave--he was unceremoniously ejected from the room, but somehow managed to be on the train we boarded.... ewww!
Thursday, 6 July 2000
Spent lots of time today catching up from 2 days of being gone. E-mail galore and lots of preparations for traveling next week.
Friday, 7 July 2000
Very slow day at work today. Made final preps for trip starting tomorrow.
Saturday, 8 July 2000
Early morning to get to Antwerp at a reasonable time. Rain continues--ugh! On the way to the hotel Gearl & I got the first view of some cool architecture--golden statues adorning houses and the cool cathedral. On the way to find lunch we once again got caught in a torrential downpour and windstorm. The rain finally abated and we were able to walk around and get a look at the cool corners of the city. City hall and it's fabulous fountain are awesome. After finding a plaque to give the history of the city name, the fountain made more sense.
Sunday, 9 July 2000
Took a train ride along the Rhein (once again!) where castles and castle remnants literally line the hills on either side. We stopped in Rüdesheim to see the vineyards and the brandy maker, Asbach-Uralt. Once again the weather sucked and we got rained on most of the day--decided to scrap seeing the vineyards and the cable-car ride for a view of the Rhein valley. Finally ended up at the wine museum and saw artifacts from Roman times to the present from the Rhein valley.
10th Week
Monday, 10 July 2000
Woke up late after arriving in Munich shortly after midnight. Had breakfast in the town square and watched the Glockenspiel play it's noon chimes--however they were about 12 minutes late (even by the town hall's own clock!). Gearl & I followed that up with a Radler in the Viktualienmarkt. Had dinner in a very traditional Bavarian restaurant.
Tuesday, 11 July 2000
Grabbed a morning train to Salzburg. Got there in time for lunch at a cool little bar/restaurant named "Alter Fuchs" (Old Fox). Finally found our way into the old town and walked around catching the sites--searching in vain for information about the salt mine tours (I made a mistake and forgot they're actually in Berchtesgaden!). Though Gearl had wanted to see the mines we made the best of it. I posed for a pic in front of the cathedral fountain. We took the cable car up the mountain to the castle--as part of the tour we had several gorgeous views of the Salzburg valley area. Dinner was at a cool basement restaurant which claimed to have been visited by almost every famous composer in Salzburg's history.
Wednesday, 12 July 2000
Took a long, early morning train ride to Lucern. It'd been about 9 years since I was last here and my first time to see the old wooden bridge since it burned and was rebuilt. Swans seem to swarm everywhere along the tourist area of the river and attack tourists--beautiful but mean beasts. To get a really gorgeous views of the city, Gearl and I walked up the hills to the old city wall and then climbed several of the towers. Behind the towers was a herd of totally kitchy cows all wearing bells.
Thursday, 13 July 2000
I totally screwed up today. Got confused with which day it was and headed us back to Amsterdam on the train. Gearl took it all in stride (fortunately) and we've decided to head to see a real Dutch dike tomorrow.
Friday, 14 July 2000
Traveled three hours on a crappy commuter train to get to the city where the Delta Expo project is. On the way to find the bus to get to it, my collapsible umbrella exploded sending metal pieces flying and striking me in the head. The majority of the Delta project is not terribly well done, but it's very interesting. The "boat tour" is little more than a 45 minute ride around the area inside the storm surge barrier. Gulls followed the boat around but fortunately missed gracing us with their droppings. The storm surge barrier with it's massive gates and motor workings are truly impressive and serve to protect the low-lying lands from surges of up to 4 meters above normal. The barrier has created some extremely strong currents into and out of the bay, making a good backdrop for a smart-alec picture.
Saturday, 15 July 2000
Spent today going to several museums--went to Madame Tussauds and met up with Shirley (the one and only!).
Sunday, 16 July 2000
Took Gearl to the airport and then returned home to get some rest from the traveling and to check on my e-mail and try to catch up with work a bit.
11th Week
Tuesday, 18 July 2000
Was supposed to meet Karen's cousin Kirsten at Schipol for dinner and drinks. Unfortunately her meetings went too long and we didn't make it.
Thursday, 20 July 2000
Went out with a group of colleagues. Cole and I went to a cool place for dinner called Foodism. Afterwards we met Ian and Nikki for drinks, first at an Irish pub then to a funky 60s-70s mixed-style bar where the ceiling reminded me of Austin Powers. Cole and Nikki got along quite swimmingly after a few drinks. Ian, Cole, Nikki, and I stayed until quite late causing me to have to get a taxi home.
Friday, 21 July 2000
Long day after a long night. Karen arrived late evening. While waiting for her to clear customs, etc., I saw Jeroen Krabbè, the famous Dutch actor, who'd also just arrived from who knows where. We stayed up until very late talking, chatting, and laughing.
Saturday, 22 July 2000
Got up late today. Stayed in the apartment getting high on caffeine, jitters and all. Before leaving, of course, Karen had her usual battle with her contacts. Then went out for a walk in the city. Along the way we took a canal boat tour and then ended up goofing around in the museum park while having coffee. After dinner we walked around the by then deserted streets. (Karen--just for you--here's the picture of the portal you asked me to take!)
Sunday, 23 July 2000
Talked with my family today. A couple of real nasty things happened and I'm debating whether to try to catch a flight back to Dallas sometime this coming week. Sent Karen off to the airport in a taxi and then worked for most of the rest of the afternoon.
12th Week
Monday, 24 July 2000
Long day at work. Then left a bit early so I could manage to both be on several evening con calls without disrupting them due to background noise and manage to meet my colleague from the states at his hotel for dinner on time.
Tuesday, 25 July 2000
Lots of prep for tomorrow's trip to the UK, late at the office, quick dinner then packing and getting ready. Got a call from Mom saying she's ok, was kind of funny because I thought it was the alarm clock the first time she rang and got up and started rushing around to get ready to go to the airport. When we finally talked she told me what time it really was and I then went back to bed to rest for a few more hours.
Wednesday, 26 July 2000
I hate early morning flights. Long lines of i'm-more-important-than-you business people standing in lines pushing and complaining that things aren't going faster. Had a long day of very productive meetings and then a quick dinner and went to bed early. Getting the early signs of either a cold or allergies.
Thursday, 27 July 2000
Short day of very productive meetings then the rush back to the airport. Brian, my colleague from the states, was fortunately able to get his flight changed last minute and return to the states today. I also was able to get my flight rebooked so I arrived back in Amsterdam at a reasonable hour rather than very late evening. Seems like I've definitely got a cold.
Friday, 28 July 2000
Left work early today to nurse the cold and try to get better. I feel like I'm going to cough my lungs out quite literally each time the hacking starts.
Saturday, 29 July 2000
Bought new glasses today (frames only). Hartmut and Bea came to visit from Germany and got in around 14:00. We talked, walked around, Bea shopped a bit, we (Bea, Hartmut, and I) had a beer (or was it two? :) in the Leidseplein followed by dinner. After dinner ended up in cafe de jaren then for a nightcap in the Rembrantplein--where we endured bad street musicians trying to earn a guilder or two.
Sunday, 30 July 2000
Got up late. Decided to go have breakfast at Gary's Muffins--interesting transplanted American style muffin & bagel bakery. Walking on the way to breakfast, we passed several nice apartments and boutiques on the banks of the Amstel river, one particularly peaceful looking one with a cat sleeping in the window. After breakfast, window shopping, and wandering in the inner city a bit, we decided to head for a cafe, but of course ended up walking around a bit more, this time in the Oude Zijde (Old Side) along the Binnen Amstel. This area is a bit quieter away from the throngs of tourists and is dominated by the Zuiderkerk. (Bea and I waited while Hartmut played with my camera!) Finally we found a cafe (with really nice flowers and a view of one of the myriad of canals) and sat down for a refreshing (but flat) coke. Turning back on a circuitous route along several different (please no more!) canals we ended up catching the subway back to my place. My cold seems to come and go with horrible coughing fits and sneezes then at other times just a stuffy nose.
13th Week
Monday, 31 July 2000
Uneventful work day, still coughing and sniffling, but not as bad. Ian had a South African visitor, and artist named Peter. We went out for an amazing tasting dinner at a cool restaurant, then had beers in the Rembrantplein.
Tuesday, 1 August 2000
Once again Ian, Peter, and I had dinner, this time at Foodism where Cole and I had dinner a while ago. The food was just as great as last time. During dinner I noticed a disturbing card advertising for a piece at a local alternative theater. I hope I don't look that bad! (hehehe)
Wednesday, 2 August 2000
After living in this apartment for about 10 weeks, I finally went to the one Italian (La Gondola) around the corner with Ian (who moved in right next door to the restaurant) and Tanya, another colleague. The food was fantastic. Wish I'd have discovered it earlier. The owner is a really relaxed American guy who's been in Amsterdam for a while.
Friday, 4 August 2000
Woke up this morning coughing and could barely stop. Slow day at work--since I had an intolerable head- and backache, I left a bit early. Once home I packed my things for my flight to Berlin to see Steffen, a former colleague from Siemens. We went out for dinner then ended up at a renovated brewery made into a bar/hangout called the Kulturbrauerei. The smokestack looked kinda eerie the way it was lit, but added to the overall atmosphere of the place.
Saturday, 5 August 2000
Had breakfast at a little cafe around the corner from Steffen's apartment (located in former East Berlin). Went shopping to find me a pair of Birks (great pair for only $35!!) and spent some time walking around the Ku'damm followed by coffee at a street cafe. One of Steffen's friends had her 30th birthday party, so after a quick dinner we went to that... didn't get home until 5 a.m. and only slept a bit.
Sunday, 6 August 2000
After sleeping in as long as possible, we headed out for breakfast at one of the many nearby restaurants. We then went for a walk around Berlin-Mitte. Since reunification and renewed status as the capitol, Berlin has been one giant construction site with pipes and tubes everywhere. We walked around a couple of neighborhoods near the New Synagogue and its glitteringly restored dome. Some houses looked completely run down, some fantastically restored to glory, housing everything from art galleries to clothing stores to people. We eventually went into the New Synagogue and toured until we had to leave to go pick up my stuff and get me to the airport. On the way back to Steffen's apartment we drove along Unter den Linden, one of the more famous Berlin streets with a views of the infamous radio tower. On my return to Amsterdam I had to hurry up and pack up my belongings to move into the Renaissance Hotel since my lease in the apartment had run out.
14th Week
Monday, 7 August 2000
Realized today that this is the beginning of my last work week in Amsterdam. Things are quite hectic, so much to do at the end of the time--but isn't that the way things always work? Tomorrow, as part of this last minute round up of things, I have a trip to London for the last client visit. Have to be up at the ungodly hour of 5:15 a.m.
Tuesday, 8 August 2000
After fighting to get out of bed and a quick shower, headed off to the airport before most people in the city have even woken up. Flight was delayed getting out, but landed almost on time. Morning meetings, long drive while getting lost in north London before finding the location for afternoon meeting. After doing abbreviated and condensed meetings, rushed back to the airport and actually got back in time to not only check in and get to the gate, but also in time to grab a quick veggie burger at McD's. Crowded return flight followed by a very quiet evening in the hotel.
Wednesday, 9 August 2000
Spent the day catching up with e-mail, meetings, etc. I missed yesterday while in London. Went back to the hotel around 6 because I couldn't function anymore. Since Sonia had to cancel on me tonite, I met my comarade-in-arms on my one account, Chris, and his wife for dinner at the Belgian restaurant, Lieve. Fantastic meal with the full works, beer, appetizer, good (but light) wine, main course, dessert, coffee. Strolled for a bit along the canals and went to bed.
Thursday, 10 August 2000
Wow! Next to last day at the office and so much to do. Meetings, training, e-mails, 1-on-1s, I really felt like I need another week to properly leave things, but I'm really looking forward to getting back to SJ. Sonia and I met for dinner at a restaurant call the Vroelijke Abrikoos (Happy Apricot), which is a fantastic organic restaurant in Amsterdam. Sonia and I worked together while I was still at Siemens--despite her best efforts, Cisco still hired me (I'm a demanding bastard of a customer.... just ask Sonia!).
Friday, 11 August 2000
Fought my way out of bed this morning to get to my last day at work. It's amazing to me just how much I need to do to prepare for my return to the US. But the IC team lunch at Napoli was great. Napoli is famous for a flambayed pasta dish, in which a wheel of parmesan is seered using some kind of liquor and quenched by pouring a pasta mixture into the burning hole in the cheese. After lunch, I started the last bits of the process to leave: turning in mobile (which left me feeling out of touch and completely unreachable), turning in my card for the cafeteria, and arranging for my phone extension to be forwarded to the US. I had planned on leaving the office around 16:30, however, after all the "final" e-mails, meetings, goodbyes, etc. I didn't manage to make it out until around 17:30. On my way to the final dinner, I ran into a college friend, Michael, (I had my camera with me, why didn't I think to take a picture???). We stood and talked for a few minutes, but unfortunately I was too surprised and late to dinner to talk or really to be terribly polite. Dinner was at Puri Mas with a mixed group of colleagues followed by beer in the Leidseplein.
Saturday, 12 August 2000
So excited to start my homeward journey, I woke up early. After finishing the packing duties (how did I get all this crap to Amsterdam in the first place?), I strolled through the canals near the hotel for about an hour. I had very mixed feelings about leaving Amsterdam, melancholy, happiness, sadness, looking-forward-to-return, glad-to-finally-be-outta-here, but happy to have had the experience. Upon returning to the hotel, I ate an expensive breakfast at the hotel and then rushed to finish getting the last bits and pieces tucked into my luggage somewhere. Just as I finished checking out of the hotel my taxi arrived and I began the journey home. At the airport, United had (of course) once again screwed up my reservations, but all was remedied fairly quickly.