Meanwhile, In Amsterdam

(Updated to add visuals and remove those interesting, cafe-induced typos.)

I am unexpectedly exhausted and have spent a great deal of time sleeping.

In between, I've managed to make a hat to match the pink and green vest, as I had copious leftovers of the baby alpaca. I've also cast on for the pink baby sweater, completing the ruffle around 1 in the morning, GMT.

As this is a "no pix" post, I simply have to describe the intense crowds and mayhem of Queensday. They stopped running the trams, and good thing too. The streets, sidewalks and squares were packed check-to-jowl with Dutch, American, German, Brits, Canadians, Africans - you name it - all sporting orange in some form or fashion. Some even spray painted their hair a fetchingly bright "safety orange."


Being the home of Heineken and Grolsch, beer (and boatloads of it) was the drink of choice. The flattened cans, bottles and plastic cups still litter the landscape, though the city is making a valiant effort to hose down the streets and sweep away the detritus.

Music filled the air in an almost "call and response" fashion. Over here, a heavy techno dance beat. Over there, a troupe of African drummers. And on another square, rockin' rap and even souped-up polka music. What an aural (and olfactory) stew!

Today is fairly quiet, except for the rumble and clang of the trams as they roll by. I'm still trying to connect with my friends here. I anticipate that tomorrow will bring new friends since I plan to drop in on the Amsterdam SnB knit night.

Now, I'm having a coffee and trying really hard not to let the air in here get to me. Oops. Too late :-p

Dag.