Sorry for the delay in posting pictures and blogs. I tried three times to do updates and

the net connection was spotty, so I gave up.

Our time started in Amsterdam as easily as the other cities. My stinkin' Canon camera's

battery died. Apparently they don't charge over their USB connection like every other

modern USB device. I tried to find a charger but the merchant wanted E60 for it, which is

almost $100! Instead I asked him to charge the battery for me which only ran $4.

Brenton started harassing me non-stop about going to the Red Light District and of course it

got annoying after I told him no for the tenth time. In the end we pretty much stayed away

from it. He got a couple of glances in that direction and saw the red lights and a couple

of girls in the window. But we stayed away from the main area and he didn't get exposed to

anything he shouldn't have. We did pull a f unny on mom, though. I had her convinced he

was adopted as a little US mascot for some of the working girls, and he danced to drum up

business. I'm not sure if she believed me, but it was still funny!

Where Paris is historic and impressive, Amsterdam (the central part anyway) is very much a

party city. Think every stoner stereotype, double it, and thereyougo. These aren't the

frat boy users, but there are real professionals here. It's also amazing how many street

musicians there were trying to raise money for their next meal. I could definately enjoy

this city were I out with friends or Barb. With Brenton it was very much an effort to steer

away from the inappropriate spots - it was a TON of work!

On the plane ride over Brenton read/scanned the Diary of Anne Frank, and once in Amsterdam

we were able to walk through the entire house including the secret annex the family lived

in. I couldn't imagine living with 8 people in such tight quarters for so many years. It

was also truly sad how everyone but the father ended up dying in concentration camps.

Afterwards we rented bikes and got lost in and around the city. The central area is shaped

like a half circle, and it was fun riding randomly around the canals. While Brenton knows

how to ride a bike, he isn't the best at it. And unforutnately for him the city was chock

full of both pedestrians, bikes, scooters, and the assorted mini-car all trying to get where

they are going in a hurry. I was afraid he'd get taken out by one of these crazy folks, but

thankfully he survived. His only casualty was when he sliped and fell when trying to pop a

curb. Brenton constantly was mumbling about how crazy people are walking in front of him

steamrolling ahead on his bike. I think he's starting to get the same feeling as his Mom

does with Houston traffic! Bikes tend to walk away, even though there are gazillions of

them everywhere. So with our rental came two locks to secure the bike. They reiterated

that we were responsible if it was stolen and showed us how to use the locks. We never saw

any funny business so that passed us by.

Amsterdam is known as one of the two great canal cities (the other is Venice) and it was

pretty much what I expected. The water didn't flow very fast through the canals and lots of

partiers tended to throw trash in. I liken this city to New Orleans - lots of tourists,

lots of debauchery, generally everyone is friendly. We didn't stop by the good museum they

have there, but i'm sure we'll make up some museum time in Rome.

Random notes:
- They LOVE their french fries (Frites) served in a paper cone with mayo on top. And do

NOT call them FRENCH fries!
- Thus far across Europe, everyone we've spoken with dislikes Obama. Any time we see a

picture of him in a newstand or a poster, he's got a court jester hat on.
- We met a nice teacher Jose from San Antonio at the laundry. He's about to head back to

get ready for school and had recently come from the running of the bulls in Spain. He said

avoid it!
- The weather up here in nothern Europe has been very cool, with highs around 70 or so.

We're told get ready for boiling hot weather down in Italy.
- Laundry was an experience. The washer was about the size of two paper towel rolls and

cost $4. Crazy!
- I loved how many munchie places there were near where we stayed. Gotta get your snacks

to go with your smokes.
- On the train ride over from Brugge we met a nice local named Joseph and a German student

named Sabina. There was a train wreck on our track and we had to jump through transfers and

redirects, and Joseph guided us the entire way. When we made a stop in Brussels he showed

us the "best bakery in Belgium" and introduced us to a very authentic pastry/sausage. Think

a croissont that is HUGE and has some sausage patties inside. He treated us to lunch and

would not take money in return. He was an offshore oilman with 4 kids (age 22 to 2).
- Brenton was amazed with the various and assorted condoms in a store window near our

hotel. He wanted to make sure the cow headed one wouldn't hurt somebody. :)
- Brenton met a great friend from Israel named Martio. They played in the main square for

at least half an hour catching pigeons. He even charged Brenton .50 for one!