arrival at last

Okay this will have to be a pretty quick update since we don't have wifi here and I am typing this on the blackberry. But after a looong day of traveling we are finally in amsterdam! The culture shock hit before we even got on the plane since LTU is primarily used by germans. Go figure. But really we had no complaints about the airline. There was a delay but it was less than an hour so no big deal. They announced something in german and there was a mad dash to the podium. At first I thought perhaps we were boarding but they were actually passing out what looked like german tabloids. Front page had a big pic of some blonde chick crying and the headline said something about nazis. I'm guessing it was their equivalent of "britney's babies being raised by nazis" or something. Anyway eleven hours let me tell you is one long ass flight. They did give us a whole four seat row all to ourselves but it didn't make the flight any shorter nor did it make that keri russell movie "waitress" any better. (Sha you were so right about that one!). Travel yoga book helped a little but when the flight staff poke to me in german I felt like saying "that lil language of yours is just so cute but you can just speak english.". Must work on ethnocentrism. Must learn new language during strike... Anyway made it to dusseldorf and wound up with a mercedes from thrifty rental car (english speakers, yay!) Because it was the only automatic they had left so we lucked out. But note to self, learn to drive stick during strike... Cindy the driving pro got us all the way to the amsterdam park and ride where we left our mercedes to come into the city. Our hotel is on a gorgeous canal and after getting through the day on nothing but plane food we got dinner at a pancake place which we walked to from the hotel...ahhhh feet moving not squished in plane or car (katie you were right it was still a bit too much luggage but at least this time it fits in the car!). Anyway pancakes (like crepes) were yummy and different and very dutch and now we are back in the room and I am tired of typing with my thumbs but wanted to upsate that we are here and okay. Can't post pics til I have a real computer internet connection but hope you enjoy text til then...crashing now...