Day 3-Rotterdam-4/10/2010

Alan picking up info for marathon..30 yr anniversary of event and Alan turned 30

Windmill in Rotterdam

Wow!  The Manhatten hotel really knows how to put on a good spread. We had an awesome breakfast. Afterwards we went to pick up Alan’s registration packet. The shirt was really nice (american and dutch national colors are the same!). There were tons of vendors on hand trying to get us to try their sports gels and sell us their gear.

My goal for the day was to visit Lene (my best friend as a child) in Belgium. Boy are the Dutch train systems messed up. I could not pay by credit card, nor could I get change for my larger euro bills. I ended up missing my train and begging someone to change money for smaller bills so I could use the coin machine to then purchase tickets in 1 euro increments for the coin machine (36 euro ticket).  I bought the ticket for the later time, then walked back to the hotel, noticing a sign about delays over the weekend. Apparently, 2 hours extra each way that weekend due to rail repairs. Leaving at 1 and arriving at 3 to Belgium to leave back to Netherlands at 4 to be back by 6pm, was not worth it to me. I tried to go back and return the tickets, but since half and hour had past, I would have to mail them in. So frustrating!

Backup plan was to go to see Windmills, especially for my mom. I bought a ticket to visit  Kinderdjik for 13 euro. It was  cute boat ride and and nice experience. Partly too, I stayed out of Alan’s way so he could mentally prepare for the upcoming marathon. http://www.kinderdijk.com/

In order to carbo load, we went to an Italian eatery for dinner. I had a ceasar salad with shrimp, but the shrimp looked more like meal worms at Brosa restaurant. The stupid kids sitting next to me kept kicking me, so one kick back ended that problem