I'm part of that "huddled mass" now...

I'm From sleeping on buses to planes to not sleeping on airport benches, these past few days have seemed like one endless one. Fortunately, I get to sleep in a good, clean bed that is mine for the next two nights and I couldn't be more excited. 

I gotta say, though, the airport layover (5 hours of it) would have been MUCH more boring without the friends I made. One from Knoxville (yep, that one), one from Spain, and one from Germany. All just as aggravated at having a long layover and willing to converse from 2AM to 7:30AM. Not to mention the couple from Germany had an eight month old baby girl that kept the plane entertained by letting her crawl up and down the aisles. So great. 

Finally, after another three hour flight, two hours of getting lost and confused on the city transportation system (of which a local just told me was confusing to her, so I didn't feel like such an American after hearing that), I made it to me cute little hostel, took me a shower and a nap, and headed to the Great Market Square for some dinner with an excellent view. It all made for a nice evening, one that will be concluded with bedtime! At a decent hour! Tomorrow, I take on the great city itself - Amsterdam!

First glimpse of the Amsterdam train station before heading for Haarlem

The road my hostel is on!

Tip of the great church at the city center

Rest of the church, somewhat, surrounded by cafes in every direction that were packed with locals. I spoke to one for a while At dinner tonight and she was saying how uncharacteristically hot it is here right now...it's only like 80 degrees. Such a difference from home! We get excited about that temperature in the summertime. 

The above are views of the canals that wind through the city, along with a drawbridge! Here, people park their boats in front of their homes along the canal and ride their bicycles to work...definitely something to get used to. 

Sorry for my less than par historical descriptions tonight. I, unfortunately, don't have much knowledge on this area but tomorrow I will know more! Hopefully!