Jackie, I'm curious. What language were they speaking at Boom Chicago. If it was Dutch, was it easy to understand what they were trying to get across. Also your previous post about getting seperated at the train station was humurous. Thankfully its pretty hard to get lost taking a train. P.S. My verification word is Titanic, hopefully your trip will go much better.

Posted by: john - Jun 27, 2008 4:31 AM

Boom Chicago is all in English. Highly recommend it.

Posted by: F - Jun 27, 2008 10:15 AM

Jackie, thank you for sharing your travels with us. I went to Europe with a friend when I was 19Y. That was 31 years ago when few Americans were traveling to Europe. Reading your blog takes me back to a few of those vague memories and reminds me how lucky we were for the opportunity. We were straight off the farm, greener than green, socialized not to make a fuss when harassed by the opposite gender, and were lucky enough to escape desaster after a couple foolish choices. LOL Have a great time!

Posted by: Kimbra - Jun 27, 2008 5:35 PM

Jackie, I look forward to reading your blog and keeping up with your trip. You seem different than your dad and brother and have a much more planned approach. I am interested in a different perspective on traveling/ Even though I am a little older than you, your approach to traveling is a little more like mine. So I look forward to how a trip through Europe is viewed through your eyes.

Posted by: Jeremy B - Jun 28, 2008 11:28 PM

Jackie, Keep on traveling and never neglect your travel journal. Your insights and experiences concerning Amsterdam are most interesting, and I look forward to more. Do consider touring the Rijksmuseum which is chock full of art from Holland's golden period, including works by Rembrandt and Vermeer. About Van Gogh, I too was impressed by the museum. While the entry fee was quite steep, the experience was fascinating and very moving - even rather sad. What a tremendous talent Vincent was, yet at the same he was such a tormented and ultimately tragic figure. Still, to reflect on his artistic impact, to consider his mark on the world, one can't help but feel uplifted and inspired. Here's to a safe and memorable journey.

Posted by: Brendan - Jun 29, 2008 12:31 PM

Jackie, I greatly like your travellog. Keep it up. Please say hello for me to Jules. On the Resistance in Holland: It was a relatively small part of the population that actually was in any organized Resistance group. Then there were those who stuck their neck out as the occasion demanded but otherwise tried to keep out of trouble. The great majority tried to make it through the occupation without getting into trouble. Finally there was a very small group of active nazi sympathisers, ultimately a sad lot. The brother of a friend of mine hung himself the day our town was liberated. It shokk me to the core. But the Resistance (or Underrtground as we called it) was the elite, no doubt about that.

Posted by: Opa (ask Jules) - Jul 01, 2008 10:05 AM

Jules, This post had special meaning for me as you probably know. Holland holds a special place in our family history. Opa and Oma lived in Holland through the war and made incredible sacrifices to give us a better life. Mom and I named you after the "other Juliana" and we couldn't have been more prophetic. You have done good. Like the other J, you show great spirit and adventure. Be safe, Dad

Posted by: Dad - Jul 11, 2008 3:10 AM

Ahhh! Great memories. Dutch people sure are resourceful and like you mentioned in a post very attractive. Do you really feel the pinch when it comes to the currency exchange or buying ordinary things(i.e. meals)? Last time I was in Europe was 2 summers ago. The exchange rate was something like $1.34 to a Euro. Great posts.

Posted by: Roberto - Jul 12, 2008 9:44 PM