Joining the blogging bandwagon is hard enough at the best of times but I’ve taken on a greater challenge as my first blog will be that of the wonders of Amsterdam and how the Journalists invaded in style.
There is no doubt about it that it’s later than the previous blogs done by Tom Bowles and Andy Wheeldon but I thought instead of burying my head in the sand I would rise to the challenge.
So here it goes.
The journey began on a cold Saturday evening at 19:00 where after a few drinks we boarded the bus for the 15 hour drive. Even at this point it was unknown whether one traveller would make it back from a rugby game in time and even if he had, the fact his bag was still in Bar1 would have meant his choice of outfits were limited.
Still with minutes to spare the bag and the journalist were reunited with the rest of the group and we were on our way.
Now usually a journey like this has all the signs of back ache and cramp but this was different, with alcohol being consumed by the hour and the camaraderie between the travellers growing no one seemed to care about the awkward seating. Instead their attention turned to quoting Smithy and Sport Relief sketche
s.
Unlike the blogs gone before me, I was not a part of the “Super Seven” instead was a member of the “Girls” a group made up of four girls and two lads, a decision which we were ridiculed on for nearly the whole duration of the trip. I intend therefore to give an account of what life was like in the XX chromosome room and the adventures we had.
After pulling into the hostel we decided to start strong and after freshening up in the public toilets and then waiting for the girls to slap on the makeup and choose their outfits we headed straight back out into the city.
As Bailes was the only one of us who had been here before we decided to give her the role of tour guide. Her first task was to take us to Anne Frank’s House and museum, a good 15 minute walk away. After hearing the words, “Ok Chris, you’re going to have to help me now. I think it’s this road,” there was immediate regret in our decision. Despite this we did make it there in one piece, with the help of new tour guide Tom Donnelly.
Entering the house myself and Tom L (Skipper) made a collective decision to refrain from jokes and immature behaviour until we left again. This lasted about 30 seconds when we were informed that he would have to walk round the entire exhibition with his bag on his chest like a baby. We managed to make it half way round again before his impression of a Dutch person had similarities to the most hated person in the house. But credit to him apart from another slip up when he found a locked door he was well behaved.
The house itself was humbling and put our lives in perspective. When you read entries such as, "Although I'm only fourteen, I know quite well what I want, I know who is right and who is wrong. I have my opinions, my own ideas and principles, and although it may sound pretty mad from an adolescent, I feel more of a person than a child, I feel quite independent of anyone," you understand the maturity she had and her understanding of what was going on around her.
"In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart." The fact she was hiding from the Anti-Jewish regime, she still believed people were good, were loving. I can honestly say the house itself moved me and her entries made you feel grateful for what we have.
As I explained previously, Bailes had been to the city and this museum last summer so out of the entire group we expected her to be waiting for us at the other end. This wasn’t the case and Chinese Bec, the most impatient of the group, started to fidget. It was only afterwards did she inform us that she had spent nearly 3 hours walking round last time.
We decided it was time for food so headed for the nearest fast food establishment. Instead of the standard Macdonalds, Skipper, Bailes and myself headed to a Chinese takeout tucked away down a road. I think the true attraction was to get it in the small boxes you see on Friends and other American Sitcoms. Although the food was moderately edible, seeing Bailes break a chopstick in half was the highlight of the food trip.
I think it is about time I introduce the "Girls" one by one.
There is no doubt about it that it’s later than the previous blogs done by Tom Bowles and Andy Wheeldon but I thought instead of burying my head in the sand I would rise to the challenge.
So here it goes.
The journey began on a cold Saturday evening at 19:00 where after a few drinks we boarded the bus for the 15 hour drive. Even at this point it was unknown whether one traveller would make it back from a rugby game in time and even if he had, the fact his bag was still in Bar1 would have meant his choice of outfits were limited.
Still with minutes to spare the bag and the journalist were reunited with the rest of the group and we were on our way.
Now usually a journey like this has all the signs of back ache and cramp but this was different, with alcohol being consumed by the hour and the camaraderie between the travellers growing no one seemed to care about the awkward seating. Instead their attention turned to quoting Smithy and Sport Relief sketche
s.Unlike the blogs gone before me, I was not a part of the “Super Seven” instead was a member of the “Girls” a group made up of four girls and two lads, a decision which we were ridiculed on for nearly the whole duration of the trip. I intend therefore to give an account of what life was like in the XX chromosome room and the adventures we had.
After pulling into the hostel we decided to start strong and after freshening up in the public toilets and then waiting for the girls to slap on the makeup and choose their outfits we headed straight back out into the city.
As Bailes was the only one of us who had been here before we decided to give her the role of tour guide. Her first task was to take us to Anne Frank’s House and museum, a good 15 minute walk away. After hearing the words, “Ok Chris, you’re going to have to help me now. I think it’s this road,” there was immediate regret in our decision. Despite this we did make it there in one piece, with the help of new tour guide Tom Donnelly.
Entering the house myself and Tom L (Skipper) made a collective decision to refrain from jokes and immature behaviour until we left again. This lasted about 30 seconds when we were informed that he would have to walk round the entire exhibition with his bag on his chest like a baby. We managed to make it half way round again before his impression of a Dutch person had similarities to the most hated person in the house. But credit to him apart from another slip up when he found a locked door he was well behaved.
The house itself was humbling and put our lives in perspective. When you read entries such as, "Although I'm only fourteen, I know quite well what I want, I know who is right and who is wrong. I have my opinions, my own ideas and principles, and although it may sound pretty mad from an adolescent, I feel more of a person than a child, I feel quite independent of anyone," you understand the maturity she had and her understanding of what was going on around her.
"In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart." The fact she was hiding from the Anti-Jewish regime, she still believed people were good, were loving. I can honestly say the house itself moved me and her entries made you feel grateful for what we have.
As I explained previously, Bailes had been to the city and this museum last summer so out of the entire group we expected her to be waiting for us at the other end. This wasn’t the case and Chinese Bec, the most impatient of the group, started to fidget. It was only afterwards did she inform us that she had spent nearly 3 hours walking round last time.
We decided it was time for food so headed for the nearest fast food establishment. Instead of the standard Macdonalds, Skipper, Bailes and myself headed to a Chinese takeout tucked away down a road. I think the true attraction was to get it in the small boxes you see on Friends and other American Sitcoms. Although the food was moderately edible, seeing Bailes break a chopstick in half was the highlight of the food trip.
I think it is about time I introduce the "Girls" one by one.
Chinese Bec/Bec/Becky-Nickname refers to the fact that when she was tired her eyes squint. Definitely the most impatient of the group.
Beachball Bailey/Bailes- The only one of us who had been here before, yet as we have come to expect from Bailes her sense of direction is well and truly shocking. Also loved her coach/queue/lift and room pictures.
Erin-Usually the smallest one of the group but not this time. Got an angry side but did keep it under control, most of the time.
Tom L/Skipper-The most laid back one of the group, not fussed what we did or where we went as long as we did something. Would have been quite content with throwing his novelty frisbee around for 2 days.
Lauren/LBell-The smallest of the group and the one person we tried to fit in every crevice we could find. Also the funniest to see trying to get ordered at a bar.
Me- Fought for the only socket plug in the room to plug my straighteners in and brought the food that kept the group high on sugar.
Now the formalities are done, the next port of call was to watch the Liverpool game at a local pub just down the road from our hostel. As a Liverpool fan it started well but as always immediately went downhill from there. Despite the game’s enthralling intensity, everyone’s eyes were focused on the bar maid who had an attitude that matched the size of the heads on the beer. Another confusing technique they used was that when ordering from the waiters you had to be sat down. A technique “The Wheel” found more confusing by the fact he was stood at the bar when the waiter came over.
After the game, it was back to the hostel, after a Macdonald’s of course, for a nap and mental preparation for our first night out in a city where cannabis and prostitution is legal.
After the game, it was back to the hostel, after a Macdonald’s of course, for a nap and mental preparation for our first night out in a city where cannabis and prostitution is legal.
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