Journals

We are approaching our last stop.   What else could be left on my European adventure?   It’s been an emotional rollercoaster so far and I’m starting to think I can’t handle anything else.   28 days never seemed like it would be such an exciting, exhausting journey.   Who’d a thought the Hoffbrau House could be a relatively boring place?   On this expedition of ours, a Rhine River cruise is just another alcohol-selling river taxi along the way.   By purchasing either wine or beer on board a miniature Rheinfahrt River Cruise glass can be all ours.   The group finds the deal too good to pass up.   The bodies of this assembly can not lie though.   With a few exceptions, everybody appears lethargic and lazy.   Frankly, at this point, I don’t know how Amsterdam will be accomplished.   It is The Last Stop of our tour.   Karl and Kaycee, along with Chris and Aaron seem surprisingly wild with anticipation.                 The Dutch town of Edam presents a chance to visit a factory that produces cheese coupled with clogs, a perfect combination.   The giant overgrown pig, cute baby ducks and quietly roaming sheep are a nice compliment.   Pictures are taken, and inside we learn how we could make American cheese and colorful wooden clogs back home.   A mighty room waits afterwards flowing with edible gifts, fine-tasting wine, comfy slippers and key-ring clogs and beautifully detailed tiny painted windmills.   I should mention this is all part of our scheduled itinerary.   Glen and Derek have led the tour like a well-oiled machine.   It is full-steam ahead to Amsterdam .   The Triple X city is our final party.                 On the third to last full day of our European Panorama, before we hit The Dam, we enjoy a wandering bicycle ride along its famous Dutch Canals.   It is a peaceful and laid back stroll, but far too short to fully appreciate I fear.   I wonder to myself on the short bus ride into the city how Katie will react in the Red Light District.    Besides witnessing Van Gogh’s Absinthe induced paintings and visiting Anne Frank’s tiny Hiding Place , I’m not sure I’m prepared for what I should be expecting.   Others on the coach are gradually gaining enthusiasm. Meanwhile, I’m trying to figure out whether tonight will be an early evening or an early morning.