Traveling with Timmy

I will say that British Airways is a nice way to travel since they provide free booze on flights.  We decided that since we were going to Amsterdam we should do it right and enjoy a taste of Heineken.  Our hotel was in a great spot and had a wonderful view of the city center.  Not wanting to waste time we went up to the hotel bar and then set off for a walk around the city.  We ended up in a great pub with fantastic music and got to relax for a bit.  The next day we went on a very rainy canal tour. The amount of bikes everywhere was outstanding.  For each person actually living in Amsterdam there are three bikes.  They say one has been stolen, one is rusting outside and the other is for riding.  The city is very beautiful and other than trying to avoid the creepy red light district I really enjoyed wandering around. 

A beer in honor of our brother- tasted like feet.

Best fondue ever!

Our next destination was to finally visit Hull.  We really did not spend a lot of time there and after getting things settled we got ready to hop on the train and head to Scotland.  In Edinburgh we were able to meet up with some of my Fulbright friends and watch the candle light procession and have a few pints.  Then with a great place to stay thanks to a very kind friend we finally went to sleep to prepare for Hogmanay, the giant Scottish New Years celebration.  New Years Eve we found a pub to chill in while waiting for the party to start.  We ended up spending a few hours with Rebecca and her family before joining the party outside.  I have never seen so many people in one place before.  The fireworks were amazing, and other than trying to fight our way through people just to find a place to stand it was great. 

Back home for a night and then time to board the ferry to head over to Belgium.  Our room made me laugh, as it was the size of a walk in closet, but oh well.  They had live entertainment, gambling, bingo (not a bingo we had ever seen), a piano bar, movie theater and a few places to eat.  Tim finally had some luck and won at bingo that night.  We spent the rest of the night celebrating and using his winnings to buy beer.  We ended up hanging out with a family in the piano bar who do the trip often.  They gave us advice on what to do and where to go while in Bruges.   

Very early in the morning we were up and ready to go.  Starting in a freezing cold ice room seemed like a good idea as we played around and slid down an ice slide.  Then another day of wandering in a new city, eating new food, drinking new beer, followed by a brewery tour. 

Finally back in Hull again Tim got to meet my British family and enjoy a night out at the pub once again.  I don’t think I have ever spent so much time drinking in a two-week period and I am very proud that I kept up with Tim like a champ.  After all that fun I was in need of another break!

Other than a few hiccups and not so great weather it was an amazing two weeks and I was thrilled to have family out here.  Plus I survived two whole weeks with Tim!  Now that is an accomplishment.