While in town for work, I decided to opt for an Airbnb in central Amsterdam rather than a chain hotel on the outskirts by the airport -- and office.
I have so enjoyed commuting to work like a local. Though, given the office's location near the airport I am mostly commuting with other tourists heading to the airport. But still, I enjoy it.
From my flat to the office consists of a 5-minute walk along Amsterdam canals and sidewalks filled with bicyclists to the grand Amsterdam Central station. Then I hustle to my train, enjoy the people watching, exit at Schiphol airport, wander among the heaps of travelers with overfilled luggage and out to the street for my bus to take me to the office.
This particular morning I decided to stop at a newsstand in the airport for an orange juice. Then as I was approaching my bus I saw that I would be the last to step aboard so I started hustling, cursing myself for the self-imposed OJ delay. As I got nearer I could see the bus driver signaling that I should slow down. The cynic in me thought, "Great. I'm 5 feet away and he's going to just drive off telling me I am too late. Argh." Then I caught his smile. He let me board and said, "Do you know how long I would have waited for an angel like you to ride on my bus?" HA!
He started asking where I was from and telling me about the time he spent in NYC. I paid my fare and sat down. He then yelled back to me a few minutes later, "Beautiful lady, you have made all of these old memories start flooding back to me!" I smiled.
Then, when we were approaching the office park he got on the intercom and said, "Thank you all for the silence on this morning's bus ride. I hope you have enjoyed the quiet and will have a wonderful day. I have been keeping myself occupied by a song that is playing in my head." Then he start singing -- no joke, "Earth Angel, Earth Angel, Will you be mine..." Finally he went off the intercom and again yelled to me -- "They're from your country. I bet your granddad knew about the Platters!" I told him to have a good day and stepped off at my stop.
What a way to start the morning!
This just doesn't happen to me in America.
Wednesday, October 01, 2014
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
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Comments

2025-02-12
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Mam
2014-10-01
Wow. You are blessed. That could only happen to you!!
A. Jean
2014-10-03
Awwww How nice!