true story

I’m doing my update from the train today since it seems as if the 30 minute commute from Amsterdam to Amersfoort and back is about the only free time I’ve been getting. So after the whole mouse incident, I came back to my hotel Tuesday evening to a new ‘executive’ suite. It had a great view, a king bed, and a fruit basket waiting. I literally popped in, saw that all my luggage had been brought over and arranged as I had left it in my previous room, threw my briefcase on my bed, and headed out for drinks and a bite to eat in the city.

Fast forward to after drinks… came back to my new room.
Heard a scratching noise.
Checked under the bed. Checked behind the curtains.
Nothing (was I just paranoid?)
Checked under the bed again
Nothing
Picked up my laptop bag from the bed aaaaaand...
out runs a little grey mouse, across the bed and towards the windows.
He was eating my kashi granola bar in the open flat in my laptop bag!
I screamed.
Then I called the front desk.
The manager came up and assessed the situation, apologized, and explained that this was a common problem they were having due to the construction going on around Centraal station.
Common???
Is there ANY room that you have that has not reported animal friends?
In fact yes, our large suite.
Third times a charm?
He helped me move all my luggage to my new digs
It was much larger. I now have a couch, chairs, dinner table, huge bed… definitely a step up from day one.
Finally got to bed around midnight.

Wednesday.
Typical day at the office.
Told that we’ll have to work this Saturday.
[bummed, but not surprised]
I still have a lot to do in Amsterdam anyway… maybe the Anne Frank Huis, the Heineken Brewery, the Diamond museum, etc..
Got back to the hotel around 8pm. Threw my stuff in my new suite, which by the way now had a whole complementary mini-bar waiting for me on my dining table. Excellent. Make up for my troubles with free water, beer, redbull, soda, and nuts. Considering a bottle of water is around 7 euro, I guess I’ll take what I can get. (note though that I will play the 'mouse' card the rest of my stay here and hopefully get plenty of free baileys & coffee out of the deal)
Headed to an Argentinean place with two of my colleagues. I had gone there back in August and thought it was worth a repeat visit. It was not as good as I remember, but maybe that’s because I took a risk and ordered the salmon. It came grilled, but had some bones sticking out of it. I ate around them and it actually didn't bother me so much. Maybe I am finally embracing the dutch food palate!

Post-dinner plans included a walk to Rembrantplein… one of the hip squares in the city. It was pretty crowded for a Wednesday night! We stopped for a hot waffle at one of waffle the stands. For those that don’t know, Suiker (sugar) waffles are a Dutch dessert here in Holland. Imagine a hot Belgium waffle with sugar crystals baked in and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Delish! Made it back later than I had planned. Oh well… I will catch up on sleep one of these days!

Oh and I will post some new pictures soon, including a pic of my new suite!