April 6th
We get up early to get back to Amsterdam. I end up getting back in time for a full work day.
No deli or bread again, so I make another lunchtime run. After lunch, Kathryn gets a little cabin fever (she’s off today for Easter Monday), so she starts a load of laundry then decides to go shopping to get some home goods to prepare our guest bedroom for actual guests (not that we have any scheduled anytime soon).
She comes home with a new soap dispenser for the kitchen. She fills the container, puts the pump back on, tries it and…nothing. The pump is broken. “Should I return it?” How much did you pay for it? “Too much.”
Having eaten out all weekend, we decided to try the “Tikka Masala” sauce from the grocery store for dinner. No naan this time, though. Smelled awesome, tasted like chemicals.
Kathryn went back to the DVR – she’s in love with the actor from Outlander. I went downstairs into the guest room and watched some Netflix.
April 7th
Awoke to an email from one of my contractors. He wants to start yard work next week, even though the ground may still be frozen. Sent a follow-up to the project manager to ensure her subcontractor does what’s right and best for me and not his other clients.
Also had to discuss some MCE work with Julie. There could be some significant work due by June. Trying to cut it back.
Busy day with REDI now that Amogh is back from vacation. Project governance meeting ticked me off – tired of preparing for things that never go as planned anyway.
Kathryn had her last French tutoring session until Dutch class is over. Supposed to meet her in town at a burger place we saw when we went to Oriental City last week: Burger Zaken. Buuuut, we didn’t go in – too crowded. Headed over to the Italian place we went in February, Italia Oggi. Walking from Buger Zaken to Nieuwemarkt, I went through the red light district. Had no idea certain “rooms” were so close to the Waag – thought there was a two block buffer. If my mom comes to visit, had planned on showing her Nieuwemarkt in case she wanted to walk around on her own – now, she’ll need a chaperone.
Back home, Kathryn packed for her trip to Geneva – her second in as many months. She’s meeting with different groups at the WHO – some vendors, some experts.
I’m back watching the DVR.
April 8th
Kathryn was home in the morning – she had a 12:10 flight. She decided to leave early, which was fine; I’m used to getting up to an empty apt., and having her there disrupted my routine.
Went to the Kruidvat at lunch. Think of the soaps, shampoos, and toiletries in CVS in one place with more selection. Was looking for the bar soap I like in the states. Second shop with no men’s bar soaps, only shower gels.
Also mailed the IND forms today. €1.38 for three pages in a standard envelope. No one back home should complain about US postage prices.
The weather is getting nicer. The canal side of the apt is still a little chilly, but the sun on the southern side is nice and warm. I opened the glass doors on the canal for a bit, but quickly closed them. (Side observation: the canal looks extra littered today. Usually only on trash days, which is tomorrow.) Friday should be 66°F (19°C).
I sat outside on the sunny patio for my huddle call.
Can’t believe I’m saying this, but it was too warm in the sun. When I started sweating, I picked up and went inside.
Decided to go out to dinner alone – back to the Burger Zaken. As I’m by myself, seating is a bit easier. Walked home a different way, ended up behind Rembrandt Corner Cafe. The street itself was a nice walk.
No Hippie = DVR binge.
April 9th
Decided to make scrambled eggs for breakfast. Worked until lunch time. Noticed a canal skimmer (schoonwaterstad) trying to clean up the floating trash. Only made one pass with a narrow skimmer; they need to do a better job.
Went out around the neighborhood for lunch. Brought my camera to take some pictures. Was really surprised as to how many people were out and about in our local streets. Also found out the Waterlooplein market wraps around to Jodenbreestraat:
…and Jodenbreestraat itself had almost the same density as in the picture.
I get back to work, notice groups of kayakers now using our canal daily. Also noticed the Hop On/Off Canal boats are way more frequent today. I wonder if Easter is the start of tourist season here, or if the nice weather is causing more people to take the boats.
First time I ever saw a water taxi float by. Opened up the canal doors again, but the apt dropped a degree rather quickly so closed them up.
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Had a brief conversation with a Swan today. Wish I had my camera or phone on me. It was dumbfounded – I was in the guest bedroom and I saw it swimming by. I opened the window and made honking noises.
It turned towards the window. Worried it would try to jump in the room, I closed it. It started to turn away then I opened it and honked again. Turned back to me and just stared as it approached. Closed the window again and it swam off.
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Was craving Wagamama’s Chicken Katsu Curry, but knew it was a waste of money. Went to the store and got off-the-shelf curry sauce. It hit the spot, but not as good as WM. Also not as strong.
More DVR bingeing.
April 10th
Same routine. Vacuumed after lunch, trying to tidy up before Kathryn got back.
Her flight is delayed, but only by 15 min. I made a reservation for 7:30 at Restaurant Portugália. Needed a reminder of home. I think about going to cafes for lunch, but my pickiness I fear will get me food I don’t want no matter how I order it (especially if English is not the native tongue of my server). Even thought about Burger King, but I don’t think “plain” translates well here.
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Daredevil launches on Netflix. Can’t wait to watch it. Not sure Kathryn will be up for it, given how dark it’s expected to be.
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Had the doors open all day today. It will be nice in the summer, but all expectation of privacy does not exist. With all of these tour boats, everyone can see into the place.
I went downstairs to open the window in the bedroom. I saw the strangest thing.
Unfortunately, the picture is blurry, but essentially:
A couple is sitting on the dock across the canal. A duck couple decide to land on the same dock. The male duck stands watch as the female pokes around for food. The search takes the female duck under the legs of the guy, to the amusement of his lady friend. If that happened to me and Kathryn, she would have freaked the f’ out.
Two letters in the mail to Kathryn from the IND. I think I’m in! I need to go get fingerprinted next week. And we need to pay €230.
Great meal at Restaurant Portugália. Definitely going back. When Kathryn mentioned my descent, the owner’s son pegged us from Boston right away. “There are more Azoreans in the Boston area than in the Azores.”
More DVR. In fact, this is the last mention of evening DVR for this entire trip. I’ll only mention exceptions (like Netflix or no DVR or morning/afternoon sessions).
April 11th
Happy Birthday, Kim! Congratulations!
Woke up to a duck alarm clock. No, an actual duck floating by our window. Thanks, duck.
Lazy morning watching DVR. Kathryn went out to run errands. Got our language books… school anxiety returning.
Before I hopped in the shower, I took measurements of the beds and the extra “room” we have downstairs (which was supposed to be my office, but there’s not a lot of natural light down there). After showering, I measured the patio. All of this measuring is in anticipation of our later trip to Ikea (right on the 54 metro line).
After she finished an episode of Trashville, we walked to Lekkrr, a small breakfast shop across from the Opera/City Hall, for lunch. Why do they put raisins in Apple Pie????
Kathryn is out getting her hair cut. I measured our storage shelves in case we find some organizers. I’m updating this blog and back watching the DVR.
Dinner was an adventure to Ikea. We had the swedish meatballs for dinner, followed by a confusing stroll through the showroom. Now we know better, but we really wanted to skip the showroom and just go to the sales floor.
Kathryn finished her clog placeholders as I watched Daredevil.
April 12th
Kathryn’s new friend Bec (an Asian-Australian) invited us to Zaanse Schans, the Holland equivalent to Plimouth Plantation – a small village with about 4 working windmills about 40 min north of Amsterdam (by bus).
It was there, at Restaurant De Kraai, I had my first Dutch pancake.
Back in Amsterdam, Kathryn goes shopping for a dress – makes me tag along. The walk home was surprisingly direct, taking us right past the burger place and Oriental City. Again, the city is smaller than it appears.
Back at home, Kathryn sprays the clogs, irons our new bed sheets, and watches Mad Men while I watch the next Daredevil.
Dinner is made at home. More Netflix afterwards.
Restaurants Visited
Italia Oggi
Burger Zaken
Restaurant Portugália
Lekkrr
Restaurant De Kraai (Zaanse Schans)