May 17-19 -- Amsterdam

I had a priority list in my head upon landing:

1) Collect Luggage,

2) Secure Lines of Communication,

3) Collect Information,

4) Establish a Plan, and,

5) Execute.

I kept telling myself, "Don't be afraid to ask for help."

Everything went so smoothly I even impressed myself. I didn't even get to a point that I felt as if I needed to ask anything from my supportive network of family and friends. I landed, collected my luggage, and found a map of the airport. I found some food, connected to the WiFi, let all interested parties know I landed safely, and made my way to the information desk. Once at the information desk the gentleman was more than willing to give me information and sent me to purchase a bus pass. Upon purchasing the bus pass this next gentleman opted to help me make a plan, even looking up directions to my hotel and helping me fully comprehend the next few steps of my voyage!

I found my bus stop and a guy in a questionable uniform approached me and was offering to let me purchase my bus pass before the bus came. I was skeptical but felt it potentially helpful. He then began telling me I must use my card to pay him, he won't accept cash. I changed my mind asking if I could just use cash once getting on the bus. The man told me that I could do that but it's easier for everyone if I do it this way and began adamantly wanting my card. I was too skeptical at this point now that he had become a bit more aggressive about the purchase. He remained at the bus stop just trying to explain because my behavior seemed nonsensical to him. The bus arrived and to my embarrassment the driver began shouting at the man asking why he didn't just sell me the ticket while I was waiting... The man was politely trying to tell the bus driver I was being absurd about paying cash. Whoops!

After this everything went perfectly according to plan. I got off a few stops too early so I had a bit of a walk and thoroughly enjoyed the walk through downtown Amsterdam. Arriving at my hotel I opted to go directly back out for the night. I was particularly curious about the Red Light District. I had no desire for prostitution nor synthetic drugs. I was mostly interested in finding exploring, satiating my curiosity, and hitting up a coffee shop. After a good amount of wandering and exploring I headed back for my hotel stopping at a park to relax and chill out for the remainder of the evening. Eventually I made my way back to my hotel and got some much needed rest.

I slept in because sleep is nice... While in Amsterdam I chose to visit;

Rijksmuseum, and,

The Van Gogh Museum.

I was planning on going to Vondelpark but some complications arose so I ended up just going back to my hotel for bed.

I woke up, went to a bakery for breakfast, then packed. I asked the front desk the closest bus stop that would take me to the airport. It was just around the corner. I headed over there and almost everything went wrong...

First, it was not a weekday, different bus schedule. Also it was a holiday shifting to a special bus schedule... All of this while trying to read what I think was swedish? Maybe German? So I could make out a few words like zaturday.

Second, I couldn't find my flight at the airport self-serve kiosk with my passport, nor online with my phone, nor in the system after being sent to the desk for help... I was sent to a special line for a reason I couldn't comprehend at the time but they eventually printed it... Finally got my boarding pass.

Third, I ended up being at literally the farthest gate possible... They took my luggage of the plane because I was so late... I was chastised because I "delayed the plane"... Luckily, they still let me on but this was without my luggage. I determined I could figure that out later, I just needed to focus on getting to my connecting flight in Bucharest, then I expected to be met by a professor once landing in Cluj Napoca. Honestly, at this point I was just glad to be on my flight.