Arrival in Amsterdam

I am finally here. Flight was fine...just a few bumps along the way. Pilot mentioned weather was the reason. I have to say that after landing the taxi to the terminal had to be the longest I have ever experienced. If I did not know better, I would have thought we were "driving" back to the US. :-)

Took a taxi to the office and quickly understood why many people do not own cars here. While the roads are excellent, the traffic and crazy drivers will make you want to take the train/metro. The office staff were very friendly and working with them should be fun. Looks like they are all pretty laid back.

Nienke Zwirs from the office showed me around and went with me to check into my apartment, do some initial shopping and get my metro pass for the month I am here. I am very thankful for her assistance as without her, I would not have been able to figure it out. Strange going into the grocery store and seeing items, but not being able to read the label. I could not tell it it was tomato sauce, tomato juice, or whatever kind of tomato something. Their grocery stores do not have the selections either. Most people shop almost daily due to smaller refrigerators and the fact that they walk or bike everywhere.

Got to my apartment without too much problems. The apartment is very small, but very nice and functional. It is located in Amsterdam Zuid (South) and is in the newer corporate area with many of the international companies located nearby. It is just a couple of minutes from the metro, train and tram and all of these are in one station. Should be very easy to get around from here.

More to come later.