also overheard at reception

this guy is one of the many reasons americans get a bad rap.

guy on phone, calling at 11:55pm local amsterdam time, with the strongest southern accent you can muster: hi, i want to bring my youth group kids to amsterdam. can we stay there?

receptionist: we have a special way of reserving for groups, so you need to email....and she can help you, but it's almost midnight here so she is not available right now.

guy on phone: okay, what's the cost?

receptionist: you can expect it to be about 20,50 a bed, depending on the time of year you plan to arrive

guy on phone: is that in dollars?

receptionist: no, sir, that is in euros. you called the european union.

guy on phone: how many dollars is that?

receptionist: i'm not sure? it depends on the current exchange rate. so maybe 25?

guy on phone: OH! that's SO CHEAP! in america we have these things called hotels, they cost like $125 a night.

receptionist: yes well, this is a youth hostel, not a hotel.

guy on phone: i know, that's why it's so great, because i want to bring my youth group kids!

receptionist: yes well, good luck with that. goodnight.

things i like about this conversation:
1) no concept of the local european time
2) no concept of the exchange rate from euros to dollars (thinking 20 euros was equal to something like $100)
3) this man wants to lead a group of children to another continent
4) lacks understanding of what a hostel is
5) the man couldn't tell that the receptionist spoke perfect english with no accent and was most likely from america (ex: in america we have these things called hotels...)

overheard at reception

american on the phone:

Guy on phone: "Can you see ash in Amsterdam?"
Receptionist: "No, the sky is blue."
Guy on phone: "Oh, because this is a historic event and I want to hitchhike to wherever I can see ash."

This guy wants to hitchhike from America to Amsterdam. This would also be a historic event if he succeeded, I think.

seven reasons i hope i never fly ryanair again.

Amsterdam-->Bike-->Bus-->Metro-->Train-->Bus-->Plane-->Bus-->14 hours later-->Venice! And only one casualty: my bleeding finger from a small bike accident on the way to the Eurolines bus station. these are the seven reasons I hope I never fly RyanAir again.

The way back actually took more than 7 transportation switches because I started out on a water taxi at 4:45am from my hostel in Venice, and the train AND metro both broke in the middle (Brussels, I shake my fist at you), which caused me to miss my bus. I ended up on a train back to A'dam which put me into a station across town from where I'd left my bike days earlier. I ended up on the metro to get my bike and then biked back to the hostel to work my evening shift.

It felt like I fought a war against the various European transit systems and ultimately won after a few minor setbacks.

me too

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