DAY 17
TUESDAY MAY 17 2005
Well I woke up and went to breakfast. This is one swank hotel. Even the receptionist was a snob. It was one of those moments that I wish I stunk to high heaven just so I could torture her. Ah, oh well. It was nice having access to the internet in my room at any time I wished it, but that convenience came with a hefty price tag of 17.00 Euro.
I have seen eight other cycling tourists headed down the Rhine. Maybe now that I am in a more populated area for cycling tourists things will go smoother. The country between Leiden and Arnhem was as all rural areas are with lots of farming. I am glad I skipped that part. You've seen one farm, you've seen them all. I feel like I have been gone for months already. Not just 17 days. Time is funny that way.
My back brake is not working right and my tires seem really low on air, so I threw everything in a taxi and did my errands that way. I was very lucky they had a taxi the right size as they are all small. This one just barely worked. If you see the picture below you will realize why I didn't want to bike this large, crazy city.
This is a picture of a postcard. I wanted to show how large the city is. Obviously this is only part of the city, but it gives a good view of the Rhine.
I made a good choice going by taxi. The ANWB office was all the way on the other side of the city and super hard to find. The taxi guy was really nice, but didn't speak English. ANWB sells maps for everything, mostly cars, but in Haarlem I good luck with them on the maps I did buy. More over they have camping gear, coats, and all sorts of gear and camping info. This is where I picked up my thermarest. It is too large to fit in my sleeping bag compartment, but they only had one size. The lady sold me three maps that ended up being useless. I knew that when I bought them, but I bought them anyway on the premise that something is better than nothing. This totally disappointed and frustrated me. The Haarlem office was so awesome, and this one was a dry run, except for the thermarest that may or may not be insulated. I was teared up again as I went to the taxi. Poor guy. He tried to cheer me up with his limited English, but I knew if I couldn't find the cycling maps I needed I couldn't go any further. So my next stop was at the Stay Okay Hostel outside of Arnhem skirting the edge of the forest. Pretty far away from the city center, I am glad I took a taxi to do this as it would have taken me days to do what we did in hours.
I checked in at the hostel with a little trepidation. I used to work at a hostel part-time in Anchorage Alaska and let me tell you that is a flea bag. A dirty, unsanitary, drunk infested place I would never stay at myself. I was happily surprised to realize that this hostel is different.
Hostels are very cheap places to sleep, around $20 -$25 dollars a night, dormitory style. Or if you prefer you can reserve a private room for about $45. In Europe breakfast is included in the price. They have the internet, laundry facilities, and phones. Generally speaking only college students use them, but people of all ages are welcome. I sit here writing this in the bar area listening to American pop music, while people of all ages play games, drink beer, and in general, be merry.
When I walked into this hostel the large lobby was filled with a dark cherry would interior with a beautiful brick courtyard outside. Wow! I checked in and paid for 3 days with breakfast included for the same price as one night at the Best Western. I also bought dinner for all three nights. Good. Now I know where I will be sleeping and eating for the next three days. The grounds are beautiful with a basket ball court all surrounded by wooded areas. I found my room and was very pleased at how immaculate everything was. Lousy showerhead, though. I rested for a bit and then called a taxi to take me to the tourist office back at the city center.
I walked up to the woman at the tourist office and explained my dilemma with the need for maps as the book I have called "Cycling the Rhine" is downright shitty. Don't waste your money on it. Believe me it sucks big time. She had a great knowledge base directed me to a store that I finally found in the city center. How awesome! They had everything I needed! It is in German, but who cares, the street names are the same no matter what. I bought about thirty euros worth of maps. My trip is on! It is no longer at a standstill! Hurrah!
While walking the city center I found some of the enjoyment I had savored in Haarlem. It was nice for a change not to worry where my next meal is coming from or where I will be sleeping tonight. To actually have a solid plan and not so haphazard come what may plan. So for awhile, I just window shopped and had a wonderful pizza in the plaza.
Cute outfit, maybe one day I could fit into it. Interesting mannequin, by the way. Looks so life like.
After my two hour relaxing lunch I was walking by a flower shop and decided to buy the tourist office lady a thank you gift. It was only a 1.95 Euro, but I really appreciated her efforts in helping me and wanted to show it in some way. I bought here some lovely lavender flowers. I didn't get a chance to take a picture of them but here are some other ones that I took anyway.
Fresh Flowers.
For Jeff.
When I got back to the tourist office I asked her to call a cab for me and gave her the flowers by way of a thank you. I then went to sit on the steps and wait for the cab. She thought that was so nice of me she came out with a packet of candies for me to eat while I wait. Gosh.
So I called it a day. All my goals were accomplished. I bought more phone cards, went to the ATM, got a place to sleep, got my breakfasts and dinners sorted out for the next three nights, bought a thermarest to replace the air mattress I left behind my first night camping, and above all found the maps I desperately needed. That alone was worth the taxi fare.
I got back to the hostel in time for my dinner reservation at 6pm and ate dinner with an entire soccer team from Wisconsin. Out of the whole cafeteria I was one of three girls. Gosh.
So to all a good night!
Least favorite moment of the Day: All together it was a $325 dollar day. Jeez, my budget it non-existent.
Favorite Moment of the Day: I bought the desperately needed maps. I hope this works now.