I sit on a train, making my way South to Brussels (via a circuitous route thanks to some ‘obstruction’ at Rotterdam), waving farewell to Amsterdam.

Aside from a brief outing during the day in Dusseldorf, Amsterdam was my first real exposure to Europe. The language barrier was nonexistent, thanks to so many people speaking English. I’d like to come back during more a more favorable season — it rained the whole time we were there, pretty much. I’m prepared to see that the rest of the trip… It is November, after all. Still, I bet it’s a fun city in the spring.

Our houseboat room was perfect, our host was great and everything in the city was easy to find once I stopped getting east and west mixed up. I used to have this natural sense of where north was anywhere I went, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve lost it. *sigh*

Today we have an abbreviated stop in Brussels. I originally intended a longer stop, but various delays mean we’ll get into Brussels around 4 (instead of 12 or 1). We’ll reserve our Eurostar seats on the chunnel train in Brussels, and when my head hits the pillow tonight, we’ll be in London. We’ll also gain an hour due to the time change to GMT.

Someone on this train smells like manure. I really hope it’s not me. :)

My foot looks a lot worse, but feels a lot better. I’ve included a picture for your amusement.

IMAGE_00014.jpgReally, it doesn’t hurt anymore, but it looks awful. I wonder how I did that. I must have dropped something heavy on it and didn’t realize it.

My cold is in full swing. I’m hoping to find a decebt decongestant in London, since I struck out in Amsterdam. The best thing they could give me was some theraflu-like thing without any actual medicine. :)

Will write more from London.