Paris/Amsterdam - March 18 & 19

We went to the Waterlooplein Flea Market which was awesome!  Just what I was hoping for.  Not too big, so you can walk the whole thing and get an idea of prices before buying.  Cute hippie stuff.  And a frites stand frying them to order.  I heart Waterlooplein!

Wendy and I bought some fabulous skirts that will be the envy of all at the next music fest, and incense, and pillow case covers, and a tapestry...a bunch of stuff.  Mata got a ring and something for mum.  It was just a great variety of things for sale at pretty good prices.

After the market we caught the New Amsterdam Free Walking Tour (yup, same company does both).  We didn't enjoy our tour guide in Amsterdam, Mason, as much as we liked our Paris one, Alex.  Mason seemed a bit condescending, especially to the others, and pretty darn hung over.  To be expected, I guess.  As we walked the city I noticed how few windows had curtains, and you could look into people's homes...and what a great sense of design people employed in decorating their homes.  More beauty, everywhere you looked, but funkier, rather than classic like Paris.  And cats, everywhere!  If you're into that kind of thing :)

After the tour we headed back to the Satellite Sports Cafe, if you can believe that.  We became regulars, sort of!  That night we had some apple flavored tobacco in a hookah at our local bar, Wonder Bar.

We left late to the airport the morning of departure, and through assorted delays and mishaps (don't let your travel agent say it doesn't matter that your name is slightly misspelled, because it does) we ran through the airport and made it onto the plane about 20 minutes before takeoff.  The flight was overbooked but after a few tense moments we all got seats, and then the rest was easy sailing.

At home I really noticed how there is so much empty space, just a really inefficient use of space.  And everything seemed so baked and dull.  Oh, well, it's home.  My apartment was delish to return to.  Went to Home Depot and blew some of the money I didn't spend in Europe on some plants, herbs and such.  My balcony is not too sunny but I'm hoping they'll do all right.  I planted herbs instead of flowers because, if I'm going to take care of plants, they'd better earn their keep!