Amsterdam/London - Day 4/1

It was very difficult to leave Amsterdam after a day like today. We got up early, packed, enjoyed our last delightful breakfast at this hotel and headed out to rent some bikes. As everyone knows, riding bikes in Amsterdam is part of the culture. Everywhere we went there were bikes; piled high and locked up tightly were tons and tons of rusty, decrepit bikes. They had bike baskets and buckets attached to the front, bikes with up to 3 child seats attached to the frame, bikes carrying dogs, children and friends. It was fantastic. Anywho, we rented some bikes and headed for Vondelpark . One thing to mention here is that the weather we've been having has been exceptional - so a bike ride in an incredibly beautiful Dutch park was over the top, great. We then braved the real streets - I made Brad lead and we set out to find a impossibly cute store we had passed the day before while out on our carriage ride. It was in the middle of a lovely neighborhood on one of many streets that looks just like another. On our carriage ride we asked the driver to tell us where we were, and between the two of us we were able to find it again. Personally I think this is a miracle. There I picked out the most delightful little tea set for Katers. I can't wait to have tea with her and Annie The Dog and her stuffed animals using this little set. After our ride around town we stopped and enjoyed the sun and some some Heineken's at the same street side cafe before we had to turn our bikes in, pick up our luggage and head for the airport. Although I knew that our flight to London would be quick and effortless, I was mostly heartbroken to leave Amsterdam. I would like very much to return to this place. The people, the culture, the sights - what a wonderful place!

Our flight to London was easy peasy. It was the tube ride into town from Heathrow and the idea to get off the hot, cramped underground a little early and walk the last little bit that maybe was the beginning of the end for us. We quickly figured out where to go, but it was further than anyone schlepping luggage would have wanted. We finally arrived at our hotel - in the middle of hustling and bustling London. I have to admit - maybe I'm getting old, but it was a little much to take after the laid back environment of Amsterdam. Our hotel was great - very luxurious for a European place, and as I mentioned before, The UB knows how to pick a hotel!

We headed out on the town and I offered to lead us to Piccadilly Circus . It wasn't too far, but we took a bus which allowed us to see a little of our neighborhood along the way. I don't know for sure what day it was (Thursday?) but we couldn't figure out why there were mobs of people everywhere. The streets were packed with traffic, the sidewalks packed with people, and every pub and restaurant had tons of people spilling outside. We decided that in our state of mind it would be best to find something more quiet, so we walked (and walked, and walked) to find a pub with outdoor seating that seemed a little less insane for us. We ended up sitting with a group of young Norwegians who have been living in London for a few years to study and enjoy big city life. They found it very amusing that Brad is from a little Norwegian town in Wisconsin and we talked about lufsa and other various Norwegian things. It was entertaining and they shared with us some tips about London and good things to do and see. Oddly enough, the night with them ended in a way I never would have imagined. I don't want to get into the details, but as it turned out they made a horrible comment that mainly just confused and befuddled us.

Good night, London! We trust that tomorrow will be a better day for us.