chinese communists
At the young, tender age of fourteen, my mother allowed me to go to Rotterdam on my own, in order to participate in a sporting tournament. (Lacrosse if your interested). I had been in touch with the organiser of the tournament by email, and he gave me the address of the sports grounds we were to be using.

So off I went to book the flight to Amsterdam Schipol, the day before the tournament, giving me ample time to get to Rotterdam in time.

I didn't even consider what I would do for the 24 hours between my arrival at Schipol and being at the grounds. So when I arrived in Amsterdam, with not much money, a giant bag, that was nearly bigger than me, full of stuff, I suddeenly realised that I hadn't thought of where I would sleep.

I wondered round the square outside the train station that is the link to the airport. Eventually I found a touristy kind of place, that sold postcards. I went in and asked if there were any hostels. Yes the little old dutch man said, and gave me some very vague directions. I got lost looking for this hostel but stumbled on a dark and dingy place in a kind of back alley. By this point, it was dark and I didn't particularly want to be walking round with this giant bag, so I went in and booked a room.

My previous experiances of hotels and hostels was that upon giving you the key, the person tells you where to locate your room. Nope, not this time, the woman just handed me the key and went back to reading her book. I wandered round for a while and eventually found it. I went in, not too bad i thought. eight or nine bunk beds, none of which appeared to be occupied. I dropped my bag and tried to un-dislocate my shoulder. It wasn't particularly late, so I put my most of money and my passport in the safe thing, and went out to explore the sights of Amsterdam. I walked round and went into the first cafe I came across. It was completly empty apart from the bar person and another few people who were obviously regulars judging by the scowls they gave me.

I went on to get utterly monged out of my face on a whole half a joint. And then stumbled back to the hostel, which was next door. I'd only been out for about an hour, if that, but I got back to my room to find it completely full. Of Chinese people. Who all knew each other, and were talking Chinese.

I have to reiterate. I was absolutely out of my face, and they were all staring at me, and I got extremely paranoid. I got into bed, positioning myself between the wall and my bag, as if that would protect me from what I knew were a room full of evil, scary, mass murdering communists. I didn't sleep, just hid my face for the whole night. I must have dropped off, as I woke to find the room empty again. This really confused me. Had I really imagined it all? Is Dutch cannabis so strong? I got out of my self made fortress to find a bag of chinese crisps and some biscuits.

result!

(the next day was as eventful, of course i didnt have a phone with me, no telephone number for the oraganiser, meaning that no body knew where i was.)
(Notmo, Fri 18 Jan 2008, 16:54, Reply)