RickSteves

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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Sarphati Hostel - Amsterdam

Posted on 3:25 PM by Unknown

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On my second venture to Amsterdam I stayed at the Sarphati Hostel  on the southside (near, conveniently enough, Sarphati Park). The weather was much, much better this time...sunny and warm.

Travelling on the 0600 Eurolines Bus from Frankfurt Am Main, I had no idea where I was going to sleep once I reached Amsterdam so I sent an SMS to a couple of friends to go online and reply back with some addresses. Purely on the suggestion of one of those replies I chose Sarphati Hostel -- because it was the closest to the Amstel bus station where the bus stopped. Hello! And, miraculously, trusting my friend's text msg over the locals' directions, I walked through the park and found the place with relative ease. NOTE: Sarphatipark(street) is only a small section of the principal Ceintuurbaan Street so it might be more helpful to ask walking directions to the latter.
unlike many other hostels, rooms don't require forever to be cleaned; this probably owes entirely to the entirely male staff....
The outside announces HOTEL SARPHATI but, don't worry, it's one and the same. An old hotel cum youth hostel, there are three floors (no elevator makes heavy luggage even heavier), 24Hr reception, Commons Area/kitchenette, and also two computer consoles with free access for those who don't have a laptop. The reception are very helpful and, unlike many other hostels, rooms don't require forever to be cleaned; this probably owes entirely to the entirely male staff....

For the 6-10 bed dorm rooms I had rates were between 15 to 20 euros. Once in your room you'll be pleased to find it's equipped with toilet and shower, closet as well as FREE wi-fi service. Gotta love that! Rooms located at the back of the building have a chill-out porch and, for the ground floor, an outdoor garden. The beds have thick comfortable mattresses, pillow, linen; but minus the ubiquitous step ladder it's not so easy getting in and out of the top bunk. And, yes, smoking is allowed -- just not inside the building.

website
58 Sarphatipark (aka Ceintuurbaan)
1073 CZ Amsterdam
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Posted in budget hotel, hostel, Netherlands, single male, travel | No comments

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Posted on 10:13 AM by Unknown


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Friday, July 6, 2012

I travel to go

Posted on 12:14 PM by Unknown
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...I do not travel to go somewhere. I travel to go.
I travel for travel's sake.
-Robert Louis Stevenson
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Posted in quotation, travel | No comments

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Acquiring an interest in European soccer

Posted on 11:11 AM by Unknown
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One of the aims in travelling around is to see, if not somewhat appreciate, how other peoples live and socialize and work and simply 'make do' with the resources at their disposal.


Outside of America, nations go mad for soccer. There must be about three or four international "football" championships in a season! Currently playing out is the blandly titled Euro 2012. I'd rather watch coverage of Wimbledon but being the lone American in the hostel you can guess which sport gets time on the communal television.


England lost earlier this week as did Portugal and tonight is Italy versus Germany which usually I still wouldn't care one way or another...


Go Italy! Go Germany!


but with such motivation as these I can certainly feign an interest.
Wouldn't want to be an ugly American, now would I?
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Posted in athletics, europe crap, germany, humor, Italy | No comments

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

No, I asked for a 'special'

Posted on 1:06 PM by Unknown
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Being in Scotland has its funny points of which includes the language...or, rather, communicating with Scottish speakers:


At the hostel bar I ordered the bourbon special. Bartender presents me with a single bourbon - Four Roses - and a cup of coffee. "What's this?" I asked. "A bourbon and espresso," he answered. "No," I smiled, "I asked for the bourbon special," pointing at the sign behind the bar. "Bourbon + mixer!"
"Oh!" he said. "Well...guess I'll just drink that," referring to the espresso.
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Posted in food, humor, scotland | No comments

Friday, June 1, 2012

Exercising up Arthur's Seat

Posted on 11:47 AM by Unknown
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Monday was the end of the gloriously hot weather that bathed Edinburgh. And I'm glad I took advantage of it. I awoke with a stirring to walk up Arthur's Seat...a brisk mini hike for a spot of exercise. Some folks were running - health freaks - but that's not my bag. So I packed a small lunch of bacon sandwich, fruit and water and headed on up! 

After reaching the top I was surprised to realize I'd been there before -- only I ascended from the other side of the hill! Yes, Arthur's Seat is plenty vast and big. Satisfied I headed down, found a quiet spot and sat on a rock to lunch whilst reading a section of news magazine. Sweet.

the peak I aimed to reach. and did.
 from the bottom heading up
 
  and these magnificent views from the top!


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Posted in athletics, scotland | No comments

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Sunny Sunday in Portobello

Posted on 11:34 AM by Unknown
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Edinburgh actually has a beach town. It's called Portobello (Beach). And as last week was super sunny and warm the natives were plenty restless to get sunburned. There was lobster skin and freckles aplenty!

I had thought to go to the Museum of Scotland but, on second thought, took a bus out to the beach. It wasn't hot enough for me to venture into the water - yes the weather was beautiful hot but not that hot! - so I gladly strolled barefoot on the sand.



 
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Posted in scotland | No comments
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