Erik and Kate go EURO!: the last day ... the best day ... with Rufus & Sophie

My darling bike, Rufus

Erik's lady, Sophie (They had to get E and extra special "tall guy" bike)

It was our last day and it was our favorite day. Mike's Bike Tours can take all the credit. For two weeks Erik and I had been going back and forth between a bike tour or renting a bike ourselves. Renting ourselves would be cheaper, yes. But, where would we go? Would we get lost? Hit by a car? Another bike? But, this surely would be the way to feel like a local – this is what they do – they bike. With just a few days left, we tripped on “Mike's Bike Tours – Amsterdam” - their hysterical website could not be denied – this was our trip. A four hour ride through the countryside of Amsterdam & Amstelveene. We had been on two tours (walking and canal) in the city, this was our chance to see a whole new landscape.

So, we met our quirky group at 11am outside of Mike's Bike Tours. It was a nice walk there, sunny, beautiful, and a bit of a chill. Perfect for a trip to the countryside. Stuart, our guide, was an impressive chap. Not only a quick wit but full of flavorful facts and amusing conversation. The best part about Stuart is that he knew that St. Louis is in Missouri. This is very impressive as most Europeans look at us with complete confusion when we say we're from St. Louis. We have to give them the reference of Chicago before the light goes on with the usual "oh!" - I couldn't do that for my dear Preston, though. When I asked where he was from he replied "Preston, England" - I was downright confused. He really could have said anywhere in England (except for London or Bath, perhaps) and I would have been in the same spot. He said "do you know Manchester?" and there it was! So... our Chicago is his Manchester!

We got going right on time. Stuart asked me to take up the back so that he could spot the end of the line. The fact that he a) remembered my name and b) asked me for a favor ... well, I was on cloud 9 (yes, Erik loved him too). There was just one thing - I had to ride a bike. Was riding a bike just like riding a bike? I was about to find out in the craziest place possible - the city streets of Amsterdam. We had to, afterall, bike out of the city to get to the countryside. I was pleased to feel my feet grip the pedals - it was quite familiar and then, before I knew it, my legs were working my way out of the city. It really was "just like riding a bike!"

Just 25 minutes later we were riding the countryside. It was incredible how quickly the landscape changed. An immediate clean, crisp air surrounded us. To my delight a farmer was cutting his grass - so now I'm biking the countryside of Holland, surrounded by the fresh cut grass smell? Incredible.

We had several stops along the way but spent most of our time biking through the countryside, enjoying the scenery and the experience. Our favorite stop was at a Dutch cheese farm. They also happen to make traditional Dutch clogs there as well. They were ever so generous with the samples (very tasty) and we got see the wood to clog process.

Enter Ellie! Ellie started our friendship-for-the-day by asking me "do they have windmills in the states?" in her darling English accent. I was hooked. Really, she could have said anything and I would have been hooked. I just loved her accent! Side by side we biked the tour - chatting about our travels and experiences. Ellie also loves cheese. At the cheese farm she had me snap several photos of her and different cheese wheels. She was traveling through Amsterdam to Luxembourg to visit a friend and joined the bike tour all on her own. I found myself keeping track of the things she would say just so that I could repeat them to Erik later (repeat in my terrible attempt at an English accent).

It could have been 8 hours and we wouldn't have known it. The tour went by so quickly, too quickly, and before we knew it we were winding our way through the streets of Amsterdam, back to the bike shop. It was too soon. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to Stuart and I certainly wasn't ready to let go of Ellie. I found myself searching for something to ask Stuart, just for more time. In the end, I think I just confused him. I had nothing to say .... But, I did manage to wrangle Ellie for another hour or so!

I overheard her saying to another tour mate "where can I eat, I'm starving..." and I immediately insisted she join Erik and I for a bite. She agreed, as she was traveling alone, and had hoped to gain some insight on the sites of Amsterdam. Ellie, originally from East England, is a test administrator at a local univeristy. She studied history and really enjoyed sports history. I noticed she was spouting off random facts from Olympic history and had to ask what that was all about. To be honest, Erik and I didn't do a lot of talking. Not that she wasn't interested, she was full of questions about the States, our engagement, the rest of our trip .... but I was always quick to get back to her - just for more of that delicious accent!

It was a great lunch. I really fancied it. (that's something Ellie would say)

Our friendship ended just as it began. Quickly. As we were leaving the restaraunt she saw the street that lead to her hostel. "That's my street. Cheers, lunch was lovely ...." (or something really English) and she was off.

Some pictures from our countryside tour...

our brilliant guide, Stuart helping our new friend, Ellie with her bike tire

us, windmill, holland

amstel bier on the amstel river

cheese!

the russian, in holland, making clogs

farm dog - we kicked the rock around. I loved her immediately.

in his natural habitat

Stuart, being awesome

that's my girl!

Erik and Sophie

our tour group (Ellie is to my right!)

We knew the day would come. We knew we would have a final day in our apartment … a final walk down the Prinsengracht … a final pass by the Anne Frank statue “bye Anne....” Erik said, instead of the usual “Hi Anne” because we would see her soon again. It was a lovely two weeks in Amsterdam. Although it went quickly there was time to live, breathe and soak it up. I like Amsterdam living. Now, I know my experience was not real life – no work, all play – sleeping in and napping during the middle of any old week day. If I had “real life” there, I would miss my family – there would be less time to relax and enjoy, this, I know. But, I enjoyed the life we had there. It all seemed so simple. At Jumbo, our grocery store, we noticed one day that we were returned less cash than we were owed. It was only a few cents, really – but still – no exact change? That was troublesome - on that end any way. Two days later, we were paid a bit more. So – it all evens out. And that seems to be the case. Even Mike's Bike Tour – we paid at the end. There was plenty of opportunity to jet off in the countryside with Rufus and the clothes on my back – believe me, I thought about running away.... but, Stuart our guide and Mike's Tour's just trusted us. I love that.

Another thing we noticed – people not only eat ice cream in Amsterdam, they enjoy it. And a lot of it. Yes, it was warmer weather, but wow, we saw a lot of ice cream in Amsterdam. So much of it, after awhile, I began to feel left out. I had just one cone on just one afternoon. I see the point.

The people in Amsterdam enjoy their beer like they do their ice cream. I was told to slow down, enjoy the culture, take my time. Oh right – nowhere to be, sitting in the sun, an accordian player down the street providing this free entertainment – enjoooooyyyyy myself. Sloooooooow down. So, I did. And, they're right. The beer tastes different this way. I would hold it in my mouth, really taste it, as if to say goodbye to that sip. It was fantastic. One hour and one beer. Doesn't sound like the Irish girl you know, does it?

It was slow stepping in Amsterdam as well. They enjoy their ice cream, savor their beer and when they take a walk, they not only walk, but they take it all in. Erik and I were constantly rushing for nothing, stepping in front of someone only to be behind someone else. I am not sure if this was from my “get to where you need to go in the crowd” memories from living in New York or not, but we were just rushing.

Being there enough time to truly understand and become part of Amsterdam is certainly something I will be forever grateful.

And, some last shots of our neighborhood - The Jordaan .... tear.