26 - 9/10 OAXACA to AMSTERDAM to ZANDVOORT

This morning I woke at 4:30 am. Isaias, my driver,picked me up on Porfirio Dias at 4:45. There were 6 gunshots on the way. Isaiah said it was a drunk man? First ever for me in Oaxaca. 

Checked in with checked bag set for pickup in Amsterdam! I have a flight to Houston with a 6 hour layover, I hope my bag is on that connection so I don’t have to hunt for it in Amsterdam.  It is 5:30 am  now. We board at 6:10 am . We took off on time and I fell asleep until Houston.

I took my boarding pass as "Group 1" to the gate and he told my I had to go over to the other gate? In Spanish. So I went over and got into "Group 1" but no one was getting through? I asked a man in line and he said the plane was delayed until 12:30 this afternoon. I looked back and United was on the tarmack and people were going through the gate...so I went over and complained about the delay...he reasurred me we were fine and I got in the wrong line with Volaris Air.  I need to go to immigration booth on the other side to get my boarding pass stamped because I am a Permanent Resident of Mexico. Well why didn't you say that...but I guess he did the first time.

Coming from Mexico we had to go through customs.  One advantage was the hour in the morning.  Hardly anyone was around.

                 My immigration stamped boarding pass.

 

Now go find your gate...

I went to the United Lounge first, checked in then got a plate full of everything on the buffet.  Not bad...returned for more Waldorf Salad. 

                                 Yeah! the United Lounge

...2 chinese business men..one is a spy?  No?

Took off for Amsterdam on time also. Did not have a bed. I think I paid $1000 for a Bed Like seat. Like first class seat but not a bed. Got free wine with a gluten free meal ?? but it was Salmon, so I was happy, and went to sleep.   

My Salmon dinner right after take off from Houston. Gluten free! No idea what the brown stuff is but I know it's gluten free.

        

      In the morning the breakfast was gluten free hard tasteless donuts, bread pudding, muffin, and some slop that was disgusting.  I drank a tomato juice and complained so they gave me $75 off my next trip.

       

My arrival in Amsterdam went well and my bag was sitting there waiting!  I went to the ticket counter and charged more money onto my transport pass I've had for 10 years now. Stopped at an ATM to take out 200 Euro that cost me 279 Dollars...dollar's down in value for sure.  I pulled up Wise Debit Card on my phone and transfered 1500 dollars from my dollar account into my Euro account for 1313 Euros that cost 187 dollars...the best exchange rate at the time..12.6% vs 25% with JPMorgan Debit at ATM! 50% saving.  I will now use the Wise card and deal in Euros. It pays me interest of around 3.5%. Ticket office told me what train to take and switch to another for arrival in Zandvoort. 

          On the way, I met a Zandvoort citizen that lived there all her life.  She reassured me I would love it. I called Rob, my landlord and he was there in 5 minutes. He toured the house with me and directed me to a 15 minute walk downtown to go shopping for Wine and yogurt, eggs, fruit etc.  I ate a bit when I got back and crashed at 6 pm

Shopping went well. Couldn't find Cottage Cheese!  Bought some "Like" Greek Yogurt...it wasn't.  I have to stop reacting and respond. Too much in a hurry? Advertisers love impulse buyer's who don't  read...just react. 

The roads are open to traffic but everybody walks or rides their bike.  Maybe a  car or delivery truck once in a while

I woke Monday morning after 13 hours sleep. Showered and had some "Like" Greek yogurt and fruit then left for a real breakfast. The place I ended at, after some more shopping, had Shakshuka on the menu so I ordered it with an extra poached egg.  Not at all like M & M Cafe, but good and the Flat White coffee, served with a biscuit in real whipped cream...was awesome.

     Don't have to chase your basketball on this court...

An outdoor pisser...popular native beer drinker's stop. I decided to have dinner at a Lebonese Restaurant .  I tried the Lamb Shank, though I am not a big meat eater, it was good.

 

Maybe it does look good but each bite had a really good flavor. I started to get the "sniffles" this morning and now some congestion and a cough.  Tomorrow I will get something for a cold.  

This morning I felt worse so headed for local store with cough syurp, asprin, etc .  Nothing with Expectorant to relieve congestion and my "Friendly Fisherman's" cough drops were the best so unless it gets worse, I will stay clear of Doctors. I took the train into Amsterdam to shop, photowalk, and reminisce.

                             Dutch "Sushi"...Herring! So good.

Number one Vinyl Record and Music store in the Netherlands.

                                       Tatoos everywhere!

                      A mix of Alphabets, letters, and words.

I was doing fine and decided to walk to Rembrantsplien rather than take the Tram.  On the way I stepped on a curb, twisted my ankle and went down on the sidewalk in 2 seconds. I caught myself with my hands and knee. My knee was skinned but hands OK. 

        I decided to stop at Mulligan's Irish Pub, one of my old handouts. First place I had a beer in 1989 when Kevin was the owner. Miriam bought it the next year and I discovered she sold it 2 1/2 years ago but still comes every Wednsday evening to socialize.  I had a small Guiness and met Sophia from Chicago drinking a Guiness Pint. We were the only customers. 

  I wanted to have lunch at a favorite place of mine on Utrechtstraat but was no more, so I returned to Zandvoort and  walked to the beach for some "like" fried shrimp. Fooled me until I ate the first one. Stopped for a bowl of Cream of Salmon soup before retiring.

The subway crossings blocked the sidewalk as well as the road.

"Like"  Fried Shrimp (pollack with crab flavoring pressed into shape of a Shrimp!  Helps to know the language.

I have been getting up a little after daybreak, which is 7:15am, but by the time I fix breakfast, watch the news, read a bit , it's almost 1 or 2 pm.  Today I took the train to Haarlem and had dinner at Napoli's Pizza, which was as good as I remember.                My favorite restaurant, BastinJan  across the street hadn't opened.  I love Haarlem!

          My favorite Haarlem Restaurant BastiJan.

Mozart was 9 years old when he did an Organ Concert at this Church. Also in the photo below.  This is the town center with all four directions.

These bronze Plaques embedded in the street in front of the last known address of the residents that were taken away never to be seen again.  They were doing the same in Germany but recently halted it and I don't know if they removed the existing ones or not. I don't think Holland will ever do that. A Dutch policeman that hosted my family for a day's walk and Hot Dutch Chocolate afterwards at his home, witnessed the German soldiers that occupied Haarlem during the war, rape his mother. I am 1/2 German 1/2 Anglo. Atrocities in all wars.

    I.C.E. was recently charged with such crimes in it's detention centers, by the U.N. I think.

October 1st I just wandered around Zandvoort, visiting a museum, taking photos, then having dinner at a nice Thai restaurant. Food was good. I took half my dinner home for breakfast!

                                  Embedded in Stone

 

This photo was from 1900. Such clarity due to Silver Plate Photography?

Done by a Rare Woman Popular Artist in the 17-18th Century?

                        The proper way to eat Herring...

                 On Zandvoort Beach....

The menu...5 course with wine pairing and is a "surprise"?  The only surprise was in the price...$138.  Better than Michelin.

Friday, October 2nd, I didn't expect to see this on the way into the village.

An American Indian...Coffee Shop...like no other in Holland.

HazelNut Ice Cream Cone...still lousy at selfie's

Never saw a collection like this!

           

                                               A 3 seater.

          

                      Where do the pine cones come from?

                                    Holland loves flowers!

I stopped at the Herring Stand and had Fried Cod for Lunch...

  A very nice Seafood Restaurant that I will try this week.

I returned to Haarlem to buy some Leucine to help retain muscle mass. Saturday and the whole center was filled with tents selling Vinyl Records and CD's.

                           Classy Coffee and Tea Store

                                   

                                  Bicycle Parking Garage...

                                                Sardines

I took the bus home...my handicap seat...emergency stop and phone charger. 

  That evening around 8pm the doorbell rang. Two teens were asking for my support for some local school fundraiser.  I got some money to give them but they didn't take money, they needed me to join the organization just to donate on line.  Very sharp, intelligent and well spoken.  We talked a while and I gave them my email to connect on the internet.

I did nothing Sunday...never left the house. Ready for my 81st Birthday.

81 today and I got all caught up on my blog...I will have to post this soon.  So much to enjoy in Holland. Beautiful 5th of October...got to get out and treat myself. I booked a reservation for a 5 course meal with wine pairing for Wednesday, since they are closed today. That will be my Birthday dinner. I did go out for a nice Flat White coffee and a Brie with walnuts and pear sandwich. I stopped for a Sweet and Sour Chicken and Veggies from the Thai place for later tonight.

     

Tuesday morning was a quiet read in my book with coffee. Then to a walk downtown for another Flat White at a different place and Turkish Poached Eggs with Yogurt and a Salad. Both the Turkish dish and Shakshura I had the other day, were no where near as good at M & M Cafe in Oaxaca. Nice try though.

Love this "Fishmonger".  Fresh Salmon Sandwich for Protein start.

I passed this BonBon Chocolate Store with my eyes closed but peeked today.

    

            I gave in and bought my Birthday Bonus Treat

                                Fall Pumpkin Candy

                      Opps, I lost my goatee?

                                      Oh there it is!

                      Blue Sky Above...everyone is in Love...

I use sugar sparingly and never in my coffee, tea, cereal, etc Having gone without for so long that Praline Pastry with the Chocolate Butterfly was way too much sugar for my taste.

  

Today is my big dinner treat. Still had to go for a walk.  Turned out this was "Truck Day" in Zandvoort. The main street had a visiting Bakery, Pet Store, Fish Market, Surinamese food, Produce , etc.  I had another Flat White and a Crossiant with Raspberry Coulee, and returned home. This cool weather is refreshing. 

                                         I love the Fall Season.

                         Mackerel Salad Fish Sandwich...Protein

Good price for a nice meal.  FRESH Fish and Chips. I returned showered and dressed for my fancy dinner.

I arrived 5 minutes late..Dutch are always on time, but Mexicans are not! The Chef/Owner was outside with 2 Dutch ladies. He offered me some Champagne.  13 seats were sold out. Others scheduled different times. Two more ladies joined them and we all went in and sat in our assigned seats.  

         I can't describe all the food we ate other than it was very good and took 3 hours.  I left very high from the wine and decided to stop at Laurel and Hardy for one last call. I met Martin and Noah who both lived here all their lives and knew everyone. I asked about the Motor car races and confirmed they were Formula 1's the fastest their is. I went right to bed and slept well. 

 Did I mention, we get different wine with each course.

                                

                Last Call...a really nice Italian Dessert Wine

I think after 5 (half-glasses) of wine and one Champagne, no one is going to complain about the food. Food bill was around $80 and the Wine was $50...tip,tx,etc...included I hope.

       I would return. The niche he has is his personal touch, bartender, Chef, and waiter!  He is very personnal and introduces everyone though people came with friends, we all felt we shared something together. Get 13 people that take over a bar for 3 hours...we all smiled on the way out.

I went right to be and woke late.  I stopped in to Smaak (love the name) to finish our conversation we had last night. He was under pressure so we agreed to meet today.  Two Chef's get together...oh the stories.

       Did some more shopping and got some Thai Curry for dinner tonight.

Rain rain go away!  Oh well, it's Holland. Yesterday it rained yet the sun was out.  It was like an "Irish Mist Rain".  Today it is overcast, cold and rainy all day and into the weekend. Might go to Amsterdam tomorrow. I think I can safely send this knowing I have enough for the 12 days I've been gone.