Amsterdam (it's in Holland)

What the Paris airport lacks in charm and courtesy, the Amsterdam airport more than makes up for. Although Charles De Gaulle airport is geographically (not including any runways) larger than the City of Iona, it is dark and dirty and the people who are in the customer service areas, i.e. ticket counters, restaurants, information booths and retail shops were rude, non courteous, and arrogant. Everything and everywhere was dirty and very non traveler friendly. Now, I was too busy rushing through the Amsterdam airport, and working to spend the last of my euros, to take any pictures, but this airport was absolutely beautiful. It was light and clean, and just about as large as Charles De Gaulle. It was very traveler friendly and the customer service workers were friendly, happy, polite, and pleasant in every way. I met no one who did not smile and they all spoke excellent English. (so do the French, but they like to torture Americans by pretending they don't). The screening process was well organized and the security workers were happy and had a sense of humor, rare among TSA workers. I enjoyed everything except the full body scan and the personal pat down where the female security agent put her fingers inside the waistband of my jeans. But, this was standard treatment for all passengers so I didn't take it personally.

I wish I could have taken better pictures from the plane. This country is mostly water. Large lakes, rivers and canals, are everywhere. The canals were lined with what looked like house boats. At the airport chocolate was everywhere! If chocolate were a religion (I know some people think I believe it is) this would have been the Vatican. Chocolate chunks - white, milk and dark - plates with a cup of liquid chocolate and a variety of things to dip in it. If you order a cup of hot chocolate you have to choose from 15 flavors. They have flavored cups of chocolate you just eat with a spoon. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. The strange look I got from the surrounding crowds when I yelped out loud assured me I was not. I bought tulip bulbs in Amsterdam, Holland! How cool is that? I would have, and wish I could have, bought souvenirs for everyone here. So many cool things, but alas, my bags were stuffed to the limit already and I don't know how I would have gotten them home. Once I passed the land of chocolate, went through the sparkling valley of souvenirs, and ascended the security mountains, (sounds like a game of candy land), I proceeded to my gate that I am quite sure was 5 miles away and boarded the biggest airplane I have ever seen. It was a Boeing 747 (hey, Nick, I'll bet you know what that is). It had a 2ND story! And with that my travels to distant lands were over. I can't say that I would care to visit anywhere else in Amsterdam. I've heard and read too much. But, the airport will forever leave me with a romantic and delightful image of tulips and wooden shoes and windmills.

After 9 1/2 hours on the flying cattle car I was met by my traveling buddy for a trip to Waffle House. I am looking forward to seeing my kids, Tater, Moose, Daisy, Carl, Sunny, Cap'n Steve, Simon, and the hens. Oh, of course, my human grand kids.....no, I didn't forget the human kids either. Come on, I bought you guys presents!