Holland and Germany, 2001
Darrin was looking to buy some more Mercedes-Benz Unimog trucks and he had a line on four U1300L troop transports for sale in The Netherlands. Airfare was really cheap at about $300 R/T from Denver to Amsterdam, so he decided to go. Since Andie wasn't feeling very well at the time, Darrin's friend Pete went with him...
From Schiphol Airport, we took a train to Centraal Station in Amsterdam, and then a tram to our hotel, the Piet Hein. After resting up, Darrin called his Unimog contact and was told that the Unimogs were NOT in Holland after all. There was a broken water main at the German Army (Bundeswehr) Barracks where the Unimogs were stored, and there was momentarily no way to get the trucks off the base. If we were to see them, we would have to drive to Germany.
While contemplating the Unimog situation, we spent a day walking along the canals of the city. Here's the famous floating flower market...
They sell more than flowers and wooden shoes!
We decide to rent a car and brave the Autobahn in Deutschland, having to drive about 300km to get to the Unimogs in Stadtallendorf. It proves to be an easy drive, though in Europe they seldom use compass directions! You basically have to know what town you want to go to next, to get where you're going. Here's our ride, a Ford Ka, in front of the Piet Hein...
Once off of the Autobahn, we drive through many small towns looking like this...
Eventually, we reach our desired destination and actually "talk" our way onto a German Army Base. (Only possible, we figure, because they aren't speaking English, and we can't speak German.) Hr. Ott takes us to the four Unimogs and Darrin checks them out while Ott stares at us, hands behind his back. The 'Mogs are in various states of disrepair, all looking like this one...
After getting a little greasy in the morning, we head back to Amsterdam , arriving just in time for the afternoon rush hour traffic! Darrin's driving, and he's freaked out, but we make it, return the car, and catch a cab to our last hotel, the Nicolaas Witsen. It's a good central point, near Rembrandtsplein and many restaurants, museums, and shops. We really want to check out the Anne Frank house, but it's across town.
Zig-zagging along canals and side streets, we walk north. On the way, we stroll past a famous coffeeshop, Der Dampkring. Inside, you can have espresso drinks, teas, and fresh fruit juices. If you're of the "60's mentality," you can also legally buy and smoke all sorts of marijuana and hashish. Der Dampkring has a wall of "Cannabis Cup" trophies they've won, for the potency of their "produce."
The lines at the Anne Frank Huis are so long that we decide it'd be quicker to read her diary. Instead, we check out Centraal Station and some parks, then walk through the Red Light District. Here, you can check out the selection of working-ladies sitting in windows in lingerie.
That evening, we had an excellent Italian meal. These small beers really helped wash down the garlicky Quattro Stagione pizza...
Our last night in Amsterdam, Darrin is looking out of the courtyard window of the hotel room. He sees a business meeting taking place in the back room of a shop. There are sandwiches and vegetables, and to cap off the evening, a little of that Dutch "entertainment" is passed around the group...
