Today I'm back in Amsterdam proper. It's good to be back in the city. I couldn't fully relax yesterday in the countryside, because I knew I was missing out on the action. I'm still glad I stayed where I did, though, because it was probably the last time I'll have a chance to sit outdoors and watch the sunset lakeside for a long time.

Amsterdam is drawing conflicting reactions from me. Part of me thinks it's absolutely beautiful and filled with interesting people and artists' space and squatters collectives and that I would love to live here for a few months and really get a feel for the underground scene here. The other part of me is annoyed by all the college students who come here and spend the entire time too stoned to hold a conversation. I don't care if people are stoned, but when they're out of their heads staring at the wall I get mad. They're in the middle of this beautiful historic place, and they'll hardly remember any of it. Grrr.

Anyway, tomorrow I have the whole day to explore, and then I leave on a night train to Copenhagen. I should arrive about 10:00 am on Saturday morning. I don't have a hostel reserved for the night yet, but I'm arriving so early I'm sure it will be OK.

PS. Not to be rude, but if you are a "Paul" and signing my guestbook, could you leave a last initial por favore? I know three different Paul's, and I can make an educated guess as to who's writing, but I'm not sure. Gracias.