Saturday, November 12, 2005

Hello from overseas...

Yep...I'm back...been awhile. Work and life seems to keep me from posting as often as I like. It's funny when I look at other peoples blogs and notice that they seem to be inconsistent in posting too. I am currently overseas in Amsterdam doing IT work for an international client. I've been here for a week now and have learned that the reason most everyone over here looks in shape is because they either walk or ride bikes all the time. Not many people are very lazy. In order to get to work in the morning, I have to walk to a train station about 15 min. away, then catch a train, and then after a 20-30 min ride, I have to walk another 15-20 minutes. The When you walk you have to watch out for the people on bikes (they actually have separate lanes for people riding bikes). My feet began to kill me after about 3 days because I was wearing my business shoes (which are comfortable, but still are not made to walk distances). After 3 days of pain, I chose to just move to my New Balance shoes. No one seems to care at the company because everyone wears jeans and t-shirts to work..my company could learn a thing or two..lol.

I've found Amsterdam to be nice because most everyone speaks English in addition to Dutch. I feel some Anti American sentiment, but for the most part, they really just want your money (according to one Dutch guy I've worked with, he said the Dutch started capitalism). Well capitalism appears to be thriving over in the Red Light District. As a regular after dinner activity, me and the guy I'm working with walk the streets of the Red Light District to just see what is on display. The funny thing about the Red Light District is that you never see anyone go in to see the ladies..everyone just walks by and looks. I guess the girls make money...just don't know how often that occurs.

For the music enthusiasts...I want to say that seeing a concert in Europe is different than in the States. I went to see the band Teenage Fanclub on Thurs. night at the Melkweg. The Melkweg is a small venue and with next to no security. I was able to sit at the front of the stage and watch the band. The band was really cool because they interacted with the crowd..joked with them and took requests. I was able to take pics of the show (which I will post when I return to the states) and no one seemed to care. The one funny thing that I saw at the show was the guys working the lights and the sound board. I watched them roll joints before the show even started in order to smoke them during the show while working..only in Amsterdam...haha.

Well, my wife comes over in the morning to check out the city while I'm working this next week. I hope she's able to handle the food...she's a picky eater. I also hope she can handle the really small rooms...my room this past week was like a closet. After the week is up, we're planning on flying to Rome for 3-4 days. I think the Rome part is going to be the most exciting part of the trip (history and no work...lol). I'll hopefully update this blog once I return from Rome. I'll say hi to the Pope for everyone.