Category: Travel

Onward to Paris

We hopped a Thalys high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris. Our seats were in a car with free Wi-Fi and food. Having flown cheapo US airlines for too long, I expected the usual peanuts or pretzels. Wrong! Shortly after we got on the train in Amsterdam, we had the choice of a savory or sweet …

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No Comment Necessary

Amsterdam has a reputation as a pretty freewheeling city, between the cannabis and red-light district. Here’s another example, a poster we saw on our way to the train station.

Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/25/no-comment-necessary/

Amsterdam Impressions

We spent two days in Amsterdam, commuting by train from Kitty’s home in Zaandam. Amsterdam is very easy to get around, thanks to the transit system and the layout around the canals. There was a huge influx of visitors due to the Whitsuntide (Pentecost) holidays. Although many stores are closed on Sundays, a large number …

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First Stop – Netherlands

We visited the Amsterdam area for the first time in over 20 years. We stayed with Julian’s cousin, Kitty. She lives on a river in Zaandam, a suburb of Amsterdam. You can see a series of latter-day (electricity-generating) windmills from the windows of her condo. Not quite as picturesque as the original ones, but they …

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Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/25/first-stop-netherlands/

The Bike Cult in Holland

Seattle’s bike culture has nothing on the Netherlands. Bikes are a main transportation option, and not just for the Spandex warriors. Most of the bikes resemble 1960’s-vintage Schwinns–single speed, covered chains, heavy frames, upright handlebars, fenders, and kickstands. Many are customized to carry cargo and/or kids. Most of the bikes are step-through, and it’s not …

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The Amsterdam Coffee Shop Culture

I know what some of you are thinking: “Dude, you visited Amsterdam…” Yes, we did. (I’ve had more traffic from that one post on the Seattle pot shop than anything else. What does this say about web surfers these days?) Here is a product we saw at the Flower Market. Imagine the US Customs officer …

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Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/25/the-amsterdam-coffee-shop-culture/

Edible Thoughts Goes on the Road

Later this week Julian and I leave for Europe for a long-overdue vacation. We first land in Amsterdam to visit his cousins. We then take a train to Paris for a week in a rented apartment. Our friend Roger will be joining us, which means much silliness will ensue. We’ll rent a car and hightail …

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Permanent link to this article: http://ediblethoughts.com/2015/05/17/edible-thoughts-goes-on-the-road/

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