30 Kilometers (18 miles) of bike riding cheesiness

Dropped off laundry. Rented a bike. Rhymed in my head while I biked over 24 km today along the Amstel Canal to a town south west of here called Ouderkerk A/D Amsted and then also through town and Vondel Park. Bikes are so different here. High handle bars that make for great posture, little "ding-ah-ding" bells that you get to ring at cars, motorbikes, walkers or whatever and it is not considered rude. The "bar" in the middle of most bikes is really low for easy on and off. You have to stop at special bike lights, and bike crosswalks and stay on your own little roads between the main traffic road and the sidewalk for pedestrians.

Rented a bike and rode around town

Didn't have to go up or have to go down

Amsterdam is quite flat

And thank goodness for that

or my smile would have turned to a frown

(yeah...I know, but no one was here to boo my fun, so I enjoyed every cheesy moment)

It was cool to see the windmills (What would a trip to Holland be without seeing a windmill or wooden shoes?), spring flowers blooming and boats and ducks cruising along the water. Turned in my bike and walked through the "9 little street shops" which is a tiny version of NW 23rd in Portland in a way, but much cooler shops. Picked up my laundry and made myself a simple dinner and booked a ticket to Las Vegas in June! I know...I'm not even back from Europe and already planning more travel. Why not?

Tomorrow Plans: Take the shuttle to Noordwijk on the coast and stay 2 nights. See the Keukenhof Tulip gardens, bike around and enjoy the coast.

Sunday- Shuttle back to Downtown Amsterdam for 1 night. See Boom Chicago, a "Whose line is it anyway" type improv show

Monday- Fly to London!

(Is anyone out there still reading any of this?)