sitting, waiting, wishing...
With the delay, we re-booked our flights and KLM provided a shuttle and hotel for a one night's stay near Schiphol airport. There was an option to fly out in the evening to Entebbe but it would be rushed and unnecessary so we decided to take it easy --eat well, sleep well, and take advantage of the fact that we were in Amsterdam!
kids only*
cut your own herbs for your salad
super tall table and double chairs to make us feel tiny
*
miffy! in delft blue ceramic!*
tired but happy*
check in to our hotel for the night
We got to our hotel and each of us got a room to ourselves. I'm pretty sure all of us, upon entering our rooms, said "wow". Actually, you could hear a progression of 'wow's' after each of us opened our doors down the hall. Mostly because we were expecting something more holiday-inn or travelodge-esque. I definitely took some time to jump on my bed(s).
vinyl door numbers, incase you can't find your room number, it's like, right there*
The floor is carpet, but looks like wood, wee
Vincent stares at you most creepily all night long
balcony! You can technically climb over into another person's balcony . I was going to do it, but I don't think my friend would appreciate it.*
despite the view, I succumbed to wifi*
*
We quickly ate our buffet dinner, which served mostly meats and fish, and then hit the town for some sights and drinks. We're close to the airport, so we needed to take a train into Amsterdam from Schiphol airport. And you know what? I've been in this city at least three times, and shamefully I do not know how to purchase a train ticket. Not only that, but I can barely figure out how to read the timetable, it's just a plethora of text because all the other times I was here it was with a friend who is a local so I just followed him around without really knowing where I was going... or how to get there. 
moon, old narrow streets, and a clown*
We wandered our way down the streets near Amsterdam Central looking for a place to settle, down the red light district, across some coffee shops and bars playing tacky music on a Sunday night and over narrow canals.
This did not actually happen*
cheese! We had to insist we couldn't purchase any rounds because we wouldn't have access to refrigeration in Africa*
Bar at the corner of Zeedijk
We ended up going to a cosy looking spot really close to the station. It was tiny, charming and had a nice well worn feel to it. The barman was also really friendly, as we cluelessly ordered our drinks, we were the most indecisive and I ended up choosing a drink by colour, to which he teased, "ooh, living dangerously!" Oh, and to add to the charm, (although some may refute) the table leg was a carved and painted clown. Later in the evening, my friend managed to magically join us and commented on how we picked a really Dutch bar. I'm not sure what that means, but I'm happy with the choice nonetheless.
cheers! (prost?)*
This painting was the subject of many locals at the bar, as well as to our confusion. what does it mean!*
*
The barman is out, the lady is in*
*
My friend came to join us for a drink before we made like Cinderella to catch the train to get on the last shuttle to the hotel. This is my friend Ruby's first stroopwafel, and now I have her hooked. We didn't manage to finish them all before leaving so they got a bit melty in Africa. But all the ones in our tummy were redeemed.
This was actually about the reflection, but was too good to pass up reality for
"Seriously guys..."*
ahhhhhhh*
For a surprise stopover, this turned out really great. I definitely went to bed smiling. And the next day, we all left in anticipation of our return to the city in a few weeks. Well, the real adventure begins tomorrow! Cheers!
*With thanks from photos from Alyssa W, and Ruby H!
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