Amsterdam - Thursday May 18, 2000

I landed around 3.40 p.m. and was glad the flight wasn't too long (you can't imagine how I hate being immobile). First, I got lost in the airport, trying to follow those 'exit' signs that contradict themselves. I eventually got around to finding my way to the open air ;-)

I then took a train to Centraal Station (needless to say I had to ask my way to the right train...) and was amazed at the sight of the station! Look for yourself below, the building is just beautiful.

I took my time to appreciate being far from home, in a foreign place, and enjoying what I was seeing. I went for a walk right away, with my luggage and camera as the east end of Prins Hendrikkade looked like there was many beautiful stuff to see.

I went into a tourist shop and bought postcards and stamps. Then I headed to my hotel. You probably already guessed it : I got lost again (went in the wrong direction though I had a small map) I had to climb 4 perilous flights of stairs to reach my room. And _that_ was sport with my suitcase in the steep, narrow and turning stairs!

The sight of my hotel room gave me a bit of a turn! Thierry had warned me though... However, the bed was very comfortable, and it wasn't a big deal to go at the end of the corridor to use the bathroom and shower. And maybe it helped to know that I was to stay there only two nights! ;) (Thierry and Daniel had already booked us in another hotel, apparently better)

I wrote my postcards, stamped them and headed to the station where I had noticed a mailbox earlier. At that point, it was nearly 7.30 p.m and I started to get worried about finding Josiane because I thought we had to start work the next day. But I didn't know where to look for her... I went to the Golden Tulip Barbizon Palace and was told that she wasn't of their guests :-(

I tried then to use the public phone to call Chaals (whose phone number was the only one I had) but couldn't manage to use the France Telecom card properly :-( I gave up and was on my way back to the hotel when I spotted Josiane, Jeff and Catherine on the opposite side-walk!! My luck!!

We all headed to Sluizer's where Jeff told me a team dinner was to take place. And I really enjoyed myself there!

Bicycles at Centraal Station	Centraal Station	Centraal Station	View from Centraal Station	Sint Nicolaaskerk
Sint Nicolaaskerk	Bicycles at Centraal Station	Centraal Station	Sint Nicolaaskerk	a hotel-coffeeshop on Prins Hendrikkade
Canal	Canal	GVB Head Offices	Centraal Station	my room at the Schirmann from the hall
my room at the Schirmann bed, nightstand, folding chair	my room at the Schirmann signs indicating shower and toilets	View on roofs from Schirmann's 4th floor	my room at the Schirmann bed, nightstand	My impressions are readable on my face
Coralie happier	Coralie thoughtful	Row of buildings over Damrak river	Team dinner at Sluizer's	Hiromi, MaxF, Bert, Ralph, Vincent, Rigo, Karl, Ian
Catherine, Josiane, Jeff et Téole	Alan, Joseph, Eric, Katy	Hiromi, MaxF, Bert, Marja, Irène, Karl, Johan	Judy, Noah Mendelsson, Tim, Ken, Chris, DanC, Martin	Catherine, Josiane, Jeff, Téole, Patrick
	Open Haven Front at night	* * * * * * * *	Sint Nicolaaskerk at night

Here continues my photo album...