So, I’m at Buffet van Odette after just spending a ridiculous amount of time at the S.O.K. Summer Espresso Lab chatting to Sander while drinking two divine cappuccinos. The second was as good as the first and I am now on a total coffee buzz, unable to type fast and accurately ,unable to concentrate or do anything properly! It’s taking me forever to write this, and I’m very amused by my own incapacity. It’s quite funny witnessing my own bumbling. Like a Hugh Grant but younger and femaler.
I have had an amazing day and a half so far. Phizz brought an amount of excitement which was in stark contrast to the week and a half I had spent at home. As is his general effect on life. He decided to swing by Elsendorp and pick me up after he had to drive to Tilburg for work, and I offered him to join us for dinner. However, Mum and I didn’t feel like cooking and we didn’t have much vegetarian food let alone vegan food in the house, so the three of us went to a chinese restaurant nearby where we gorged on a lovely buffet. That’s buh-fay, not boo-fay, by the way.
Afterwards we drove on to Amsterdam in the small car Phizz had hired, which was absolutely fine, except for the sound system and its inability to be fast and cool. And if there’s anything that we like in a car, it’s listening to tunes (while perhaps doing a little sitting-down-dance) and going fast. And a nice interface. And a smooth drive. And other stuff.
So, Phizz decided he might just see if he could trade it in for something slightly faster/cooler/nicer/with better sound. He could. A car he’s been wanting to try for quite some time, a fast, cool, nice one with a great sound system just happened to be available. So we switched our little biscuit tin in for a bullet. I can say someone was extremely gleeful and contemplating driving to Germany that very minute. And it wasn’t me, though I would have happily gone along with it. But Phizz had to drive to Den Haag the next day to sort out a visa application, so we decided to be sensible. For now.
But, we had agreed on watching a movie, so we drove it just a few kilometers to a secure car park with a car lift (something new for me!) and parked it on the rooftop where we had an awesome view of Amsterdam. We were in very high spirits, and we had chosen the perfect movie for our fun night, a comedy called Horrible Bosses. It was very funny and we came out as cheerful as we went in. Phizz’s hunger to drive somewhere just to drive somewhere had not gone away, so we drove to Haarlem at 12.30 am. We visited my old high school, well, we drove to and around it. It was fun to see my old haunt, and kind of surreal in the middle of the night. Like a bizarre but fun dream.
Still, we weren’t sleepy (we did share a Coca Cola) and not at all sick of driving that nice car. It was late and Phizz had to be in Den Haag the next day, we knew we really should call it a night. But instead we booked a hotel in Den Haag and drove there. Why the hell not? Less traffic at 1 am than at 10 am the next day. The moon was big and low and beautiful. And we felt like we were driving a bubble of happiness through the darkness. There’s something about doing something spontaneous in the middle of the night while everyone’s asleep that makes you feel part of a secret club.
The hotel bed was big and soft and sooo comfortable when we finally put our heads down at 2.30 am. And the 10 minute drive to the visa place was a breeze. We were out of there in no time. And how to end a pretty much perfect adventure?
Well, riding Segways on a private tour of Amsterdam, of course.
Well, riding Segways on a private tour of Amsterdam, of course.
We had wanted to ride Segways together since our first meeting in Amsterdam about 4.5 months ago. We had tried that day, but the place was shut and when we called they said they didn't have any tours at all. I had discovered a Segway Tour on Terschelling, an island in Holland’s north which was where we wanted to go on our May road trip, so I thought I’d surprise Phizz and organise that. However, that tour wasn’t done anymore. No Segways on Terschelling or any other northern island. So we ended up riding bikes on Vlieland instead, which was also very awesome.
But yesterday we were lucky. We called the Segway people in Amsterdam on our way back from Den Haag, but were told there were no tours that day, but that we could book for the day after or Friday. I told them we'd be in touch as we didn't know whether Phizz had to go back to Den Haag at all in the next few days. Not long after that, however, the Segway people called back and told us we could do a tour that afternoon. And so we did.
I have to say, I was a little worried about riding a Segway. It looks kind of precarious. But it wasn't, it was easy as pie. And I love pie. It felt really natural, and that's how it's designed as well. I think my experience with snowboarding and dancing helped, too. Catch any bumps in the knees, keep your balance, it's really quite easy. And really quite a lot of fun. Actually, it's a massive amount of fun. As in, I want one!
We were the only ones on the tour, so it was extra fun, we had a lovely young man called Wolf for a guide, Wolf the Segway Guide. We did a lot of the east part of the city center, where both Phizz and I hadn't really been much to before, so it was also very interesting. I absolutely loved it. And pretty much everyone looks at you and you can see they want to do it, too. Some kid called out 'Look at those cool scooters!' To which our reply was 'It's no Scooter, it's the Future!'
Unfortunately the weather wasn't fantastic, it was grey and windy and it started drizzling halfway though the tour, but we kept it reasonably dry. After that fantastic afternoon, it was time for a bite to eat and a nice coffee at Screaming Beans. Sadly I was feeling a little unwell, bit queasy and headachy, which might have something to do with not enough sleeping and water drinking, and having too much crazy fun.
But after lots of water and some lunch I felt much better, and I picked up my bike from Phizz's, made my way to Stella's place with a stop for dinner shopping at the supermarket, and then went home (to Stella's place) where I put on some tunes (Cold War Kids, in case you're interested) and happily started creating a nice smoked chicken salad with some baked potato to share with Stella who was joining me for dinner.
Dinner was lovely, it's fun hanging out with Stella, and she joined me to the Amsterdam Dance Center where I was going to do another Lyrical Hip Hop class. She watched for half an hour, and then went on her way. I have to be honest, the hip hop class wasn't nearly as much fun as the first one I had done two weeks ago, because it was different teacher. I much preferred the firs teacher's dance style and way of teaching, this class was a little bit messy and the teacher seemed not very prepared and clear. It was still fun to dance, though, but next time I might do that class again I'm going to call ahead to make sure the other teacher is there. I would love to have one more class from that one, he was great.
After a nice shower I curled up cosily and caught up on some much needed sleep.
Today was very cruisy, slept in a little, nice breakfast by myself: muesli with yoghurt and a strawberry or two (yay for no longer being allergic!) and then I put on some washing and got ready to go the the SOK Summer Espresso Lab for my first milky coffee again in two weeks. Sander, my favourite barista of the SOK team, was there and made me a most beautiful cappuccino. I was so keen to drink it that only after a few sips did I realise it was beautiful moment for a picture, so I took one with my phone. Tada!
Without even thinking about it, I ordered a second cappuccino. I had learned from experience that it's a bad idea to order a second coffee if the first is absolutely divine, because the second one usually disappoints. But not this time. This second one was equally divine. I did end up with that wicked coffee buzz. Totally worth it! I hung out at the Espresso Lab for a quite a while and had a giggle with Sander when a customer ordered a 'Large Espresso' and Sander tried to find out if he wanted either a double espresso, or just a long black, but the request didn't become any clearer. In the end Sander made him a double espresso, but the customer then asked if it could be turned into a cappuccino after all. It was quite funny.
After I spent too much time writing in my little Amsterdam Moleskine journal with pen and pencil at the Lab and Sander got a little busy, I knew I had to do some serious blogging and headed to Buffet van Odette, where it was seriously busy. Good for them. It's a gorgeous little place with delicious organic breakfast and decent coffee (at times). That's where I wrote most of this post. Now you're full circle to the start of this post, but stuff has happened since then!
I met Phizz for a nice lunch of salad at Bijenkorf Kitchen, after which I went home for some washing and some research. I've applied for this job (writer/researcher, or Magnificent Content Creator as the company likes to call it) back in Melbourne, and I got a reply to submit some things, so I have to make sure I do well and impress the hell out of these people. It sounds like a fun company to work for.
Then it was time to head to Emily's for an intimate girls' dinner, some heart to heart chatting, goofy dancing, making up songs to Take That's album Everything Changes, and obviously some giggles. Then Phizz came to join us and we went for a joy ride in his lovely, fast, smooth, beautiful rental ride. We drove to Bloemendaal aan Zee where absolutely nothing was happening, we had to walk quite a bit through bit sandy speed humps and strong wind to get to the one beach club that was open, only to find out there was a door charge of €10, usually it was €20! The place was very quiet and not worth paying to get in, so we just called it a stroll on the beach and headed back to the car and back to Amsterdam. Emily knew of a cocktail bar on the top floor of the Fashion Hotel, which we decided to try. It was quite a nice bar, though the mood was a bit dead. Lots of men by themselves (on business, probably) and couples with nothing to say to each other. I had to really curb my extrovertiveness, and failed quite poorly. I wanted to be have a loud and outrageous night, but it just wasn't the time or place, Em was tired and Phizz was a little pensive but we did have fun. My cocktail was delicious, it was called Kobe One Kenobe and had Genever, Sake, Lychee, Grape and fresh lime juice. Yum. I had two! I think we were the life of that bar for a little while, and I'm sure we made people wonder what the hell was going on with the three of us, especially when Phizz came to sit in between us. A fairly geeky (but charming!) looking short guy out with two pretty girls? Let them think! Hope they enjoyed their thoughts, I'm guessing it was more exciting for them to imagine what was going on with us than actually being in the company they were in! Next time we go out for cocktails, it will most definitely be back at Vesper or Door 74. This place was trendy looking but not at all lively.
Had a good but short night's sleep, and I just met Stella for a coffee at Screaming Beans who gave me some good advice for my job application. Which I will be spending some time on right now!
But yesterday we were lucky. We called the Segway people in Amsterdam on our way back from Den Haag, but were told there were no tours that day, but that we could book for the day after or Friday. I told them we'd be in touch as we didn't know whether Phizz had to go back to Den Haag at all in the next few days. Not long after that, however, the Segway people called back and told us we could do a tour that afternoon. And so we did.
I have to say, I was a little worried about riding a Segway. It looks kind of precarious. But it wasn't, it was easy as pie. And I love pie. It felt really natural, and that's how it's designed as well. I think my experience with snowboarding and dancing helped, too. Catch any bumps in the knees, keep your balance, it's really quite easy. And really quite a lot of fun. Actually, it's a massive amount of fun. As in, I want one!
We were the only ones on the tour, so it was extra fun, we had a lovely young man called Wolf for a guide, Wolf the Segway Guide. We did a lot of the east part of the city center, where both Phizz and I hadn't really been much to before, so it was also very interesting. I absolutely loved it. And pretty much everyone looks at you and you can see they want to do it, too. Some kid called out 'Look at those cool scooters!' To which our reply was 'It's no Scooter, it's the Future!'
Unfortunately the weather wasn't fantastic, it was grey and windy and it started drizzling halfway though the tour, but we kept it reasonably dry. After that fantastic afternoon, it was time for a bite to eat and a nice coffee at Screaming Beans. Sadly I was feeling a little unwell, bit queasy and headachy, which might have something to do with not enough sleeping and water drinking, and having too much crazy fun.
But after lots of water and some lunch I felt much better, and I picked up my bike from Phizz's, made my way to Stella's place with a stop for dinner shopping at the supermarket, and then went home (to Stella's place) where I put on some tunes (Cold War Kids, in case you're interested) and happily started creating a nice smoked chicken salad with some baked potato to share with Stella who was joining me for dinner.
Dinner was lovely, it's fun hanging out with Stella, and she joined me to the Amsterdam Dance Center where I was going to do another Lyrical Hip Hop class. She watched for half an hour, and then went on her way. I have to be honest, the hip hop class wasn't nearly as much fun as the first one I had done two weeks ago, because it was different teacher. I much preferred the firs teacher's dance style and way of teaching, this class was a little bit messy and the teacher seemed not very prepared and clear. It was still fun to dance, though, but next time I might do that class again I'm going to call ahead to make sure the other teacher is there. I would love to have one more class from that one, he was great.
After a nice shower I curled up cosily and caught up on some much needed sleep.
Today was very cruisy, slept in a little, nice breakfast by myself: muesli with yoghurt and a strawberry or two (yay for no longer being allergic!) and then I put on some washing and got ready to go the the SOK Summer Espresso Lab for my first milky coffee again in two weeks. Sander, my favourite barista of the SOK team, was there and made me a most beautiful cappuccino. I was so keen to drink it that only after a few sips did I realise it was beautiful moment for a picture, so I took one with my phone. Tada!
Without even thinking about it, I ordered a second cappuccino. I had learned from experience that it's a bad idea to order a second coffee if the first is absolutely divine, because the second one usually disappoints. But not this time. This second one was equally divine. I did end up with that wicked coffee buzz. Totally worth it! I hung out at the Espresso Lab for a quite a while and had a giggle with Sander when a customer ordered a 'Large Espresso' and Sander tried to find out if he wanted either a double espresso, or just a long black, but the request didn't become any clearer. In the end Sander made him a double espresso, but the customer then asked if it could be turned into a cappuccino after all. It was quite funny.
After I spent too much time writing in my little Amsterdam Moleskine journal with pen and pencil at the Lab and Sander got a little busy, I knew I had to do some serious blogging and headed to Buffet van Odette, where it was seriously busy. Good for them. It's a gorgeous little place with delicious organic breakfast and decent coffee (at times). That's where I wrote most of this post. Now you're full circle to the start of this post, but stuff has happened since then!
I met Phizz for a nice lunch of salad at Bijenkorf Kitchen, after which I went home for some washing and some research. I've applied for this job (writer/researcher, or Magnificent Content Creator as the company likes to call it) back in Melbourne, and I got a reply to submit some things, so I have to make sure I do well and impress the hell out of these people. It sounds like a fun company to work for.
Then it was time to head to Emily's for an intimate girls' dinner, some heart to heart chatting, goofy dancing, making up songs to Take That's album Everything Changes, and obviously some giggles. Then Phizz came to join us and we went for a joy ride in his lovely, fast, smooth, beautiful rental ride. We drove to Bloemendaal aan Zee where absolutely nothing was happening, we had to walk quite a bit through bit sandy speed humps and strong wind to get to the one beach club that was open, only to find out there was a door charge of €10, usually it was €20! The place was very quiet and not worth paying to get in, so we just called it a stroll on the beach and headed back to the car and back to Amsterdam. Emily knew of a cocktail bar on the top floor of the Fashion Hotel, which we decided to try. It was quite a nice bar, though the mood was a bit dead. Lots of men by themselves (on business, probably) and couples with nothing to say to each other. I had to really curb my extrovertiveness, and failed quite poorly. I wanted to be have a loud and outrageous night, but it just wasn't the time or place, Em was tired and Phizz was a little pensive but we did have fun. My cocktail was delicious, it was called Kobe One Kenobe and had Genever, Sake, Lychee, Grape and fresh lime juice. Yum. I had two! I think we were the life of that bar for a little while, and I'm sure we made people wonder what the hell was going on with the three of us, especially when Phizz came to sit in between us. A fairly geeky (but charming!) looking short guy out with two pretty girls? Let them think! Hope they enjoyed their thoughts, I'm guessing it was more exciting for them to imagine what was going on with us than actually being in the company they were in! Next time we go out for cocktails, it will most definitely be back at Vesper or Door 74. This place was trendy looking but not at all lively.
Had a good but short night's sleep, and I just met Stella for a coffee at Screaming Beans who gave me some good advice for my job application. Which I will be spending some time on right now!
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten