Well, here I sit in the small town of Haarlem located near the coast of the North Sea, just west of Amsterdam.  It is a thriving community that offers all that its larger neighbor does, but something so much more - the small town feel.  All about me as I write this life goes on in this small Dutch village of 150,000 people.  The sidewalks are busy with the sounds of bricks being cut & laid, the ringing of the bells from the various passer-bys who are on the standard mode of transportation, the bike.  Some are just greeting one another with a "hoy", while others are warning you of a possible collision.  The people are very friendly and communication has not been a problem at all.  I find that the younger the person, the more likely they will speak English.  Yesterday though, I stopped and asked a young girl on a bike.  She was just learning English as she must of been only 8 or 9.  Even still, she gave it her best shot and was able to direct me to the street where my most wonderful of accommodations is at one of the many B&B's in the town.  This is my fourth or fifth visit to this community and I feel I know it like the back of my hand.  Last night I walked the neighborhood to find myself come across the Spaarne.  An incredible canal which spreads across an entire side the town's main feature, the old town which is dominated by the cathedral and its impressive tower.  The brick walkways take one through the small neighborhood settings in this wonderful place.  As you pass the large bottom floor windows you can't help but to notice how each home has a different method, some most artistic, to obstruct a passerby's direct view inside. Lest you intentionally were to make an effort, you only catch glimpses of a tv being on, an ornamental covered wall or the like. 

When I arrived yesterday, my first stop was the towns tourism office at the main station.  For only $20, you can reserve a room in a local's home.  My arrangements could not of been any better.  I caught a bus to a street one block away from my evenings arrangements.  Once there, I was greeted by a lovely woman who showed me my room  It was fantastic.  Just one flight down was a shared bathroom upon which entering to take a shower, I found had everything one could possible imagine happen, right down to the little sesame street toy in the shower.  It made me think of my father of all persons.  During a recent visit, I noticed he had little toy character "Ernie's" all over, as that is his name.  Whether he collected them or they were given to him, it is quite funny to see a 75 year old man with them.      I miss Cleveland. 

After my shower, I headed out for a disappointing movie of the Matrix Reloaded (stupid!) movie.  One can't go anywhere without being reminded that you are on the other side of the world as you go from one experience to another.  In the middle of the movie last night, the lights came on and it was intermission.  Once in the lobby, people made calls, bought candy, soda, and beer!  That lasted 20 minutes and then the movie resumed.  Not long after the show ended, I called it a night channel surfing through some very interesting late night shows.  One was piped in from America with various women competing with each by sending in videos of them stripping to music.  I couldn't believe what I was watching, as that sure is hell is not on back home where I live. 

I woke up this morning with several things on my mind. First, I had breakfast in bed. Left outside the door of the three or four guest's doors, a tray is left with bread, meat, cheese, juice, tea, etc.  Once outside, I checked my email at a cafe before making arrangements for my travels.  I'd like to just relax a bit, but I realize tomorrow I will be moving for two weeks straight and will unlikely have internet access.  There is so much to plan, and I find myself being challenged at it, if in at part because of the uncertainty of my plans.  I want to keep my options open as the summer progresses, yet it is very nice to have a plan, so to speak.  My biggest concern is getting from Amsterdam to Budapest on the 15th of June.   I have my car until the 11th so I will drive to Norway via Hamburg and Copenhagen beginning tomorrow, the 28th.  On my way, I will be staying with Auke and Teatske Ann Van Djik on a farm in the village of Makkum.  I can not even begin to tell you how I value their friendship.  Anyway, back to Budapest.  I need to be there on or near the 15th as that is when I committed myself to an apartment for 1 to 2 months.  Just just it, 1 to 2 months.  I find myself being undecided on a schedule, either for specific travels or returning to the reality of school and work in the fall.  I ended up trying several methods to get travel arrangements, but ended up calling the Hungarian airline office in Amsterdam and booked a flight round trip to Budapest and back to Amsterdam on or about the 1st of August.  From that point I can decide what I want to do.  Most likely, I will catch a hop over to Edinburgh from where I will catch my flight to London/S.F. on August 15th.  I got a confirmation of a web job in Edinburgh yesterday which will require my presence to complete its design.  So, the ticket to Budapest will cost about $350.  Not bad I guess. If I decide not to return, I can then get back to Edinburgh/London some other way.  I'd love to visit Italy this summer if at all possible.