It's my last night in Europe ...

Kzin · 06-23-2006, 07:47 PM

Finish work in London at 4:30 ....

Pack up the conference room, take my luggage downstairs to the Hotel Hoppa bus (3 pounds), 20 minutes later I'm at Terminal 3, ready to take the Heathrow Express to Terminal 4 (bus didn't run to 4).

Whoops, wrong direction, next stop London in 14 minutes. Oh well, I'm 2.5 hours early for my flight, no problem.

Get on the train back in the other direction. It should cost me 14 pounds, but the nice ticket lady says "You made a mistake, we don't charge for mistakes."

WHAT A COUNTRY!

Back to Terminal 4 in 20 minutes, self-serve boarding pass, express luggage drop, 10 minutes total and I'm on the way to security.

Heathrow is testing a new security system. They take random people out of line and run them through some full-body scanner in a booth. Kzin covers his nuts, but they don't pick him. Regular x-ray machine for the luggage and metal detector for Kzin, 5 minutes.

It's 6:30, my flight boards in an hour. Look for food! I won't get into Amsterdam until 10:05 local. Find an actually decent Italian restaurant (see other thread), eat & get a glass of wine.

7:30, we board on time, miracle of miracles at Heathrow on a Friday night! An hour or so and I'm landing in Amsterdam.

The smooth machine screeches to a halt. Usually my luggage comes in 5-10 minutes at Schiphol, like it did Friday. Tonight .... 35 minutes! Dammit, I could be in Seattle for that!

But there's a pretty blonde standing next to me waiting for luggage. To quote Mr. Burns: "Exxxxcellent." When I get bored after 15 minutes of waiting I tell her "It usually doesn't take this long" and the conversation starts.

This girl is coming back from a year of volunteer teaching in Tanzania, the first time she's ever been away from home. She got typhoid and malaria in her first four months there. She had to go to the hospital in Dar es Salaam, and felt bad that she had access to such fine medical services when the poor people in Tanzania could only ....

Ok, so blah blah blah, she sure was happy to have a white English-speaking person to talk to during that long wait for the luggage! But I was entertained. Her family were waiting outside luggage claim probably wondering wtF was going on.

I finally get my luggage at 10:50, with 5 minutes to make the (last) 10:55 free shuttle to my hotel. Throw my luggage on one of Schiphol's free handcarts (damn why don't all airports do this?) and SPRINT across to the bus stop. Make it as the last seat on the bus and off to the hotel.

11:10 and I roll into the Courtyard Amsterdam, where I'd left a checked bag on Tuesday when I left town ... things I didn't want to take on an airplane, but would want on my night back in Amsterdam.

Ok, I am BEAT. Long work day, lots of running around, then an airport trip ... I'm pitted out, tired, and want a shower BAD. I just want to get up to my room and chill.

The check-in guy says "Oh, I have a very nice room for you."

Shit, I forgot! The only room available for my getaway night was the most expensive class of room in the hotel ... usually goes for 350 Euros a night during the week, but I'm getting a weekend special for 225. I get my key and head up to the top (10th) floor of the hotel ....

Pics coming.

Kzin · 06-23-2006, 07:50 PM

A bed ... ah, I figured it would have a bed.

Kzin · 06-23-2006, 07:52 PM

A view ... ok, figured it would have a view, top floor .... dammit I need a shower!

Kzin · 06-23-2006, 07:53 PM

A six foot jacuzzi tub! Yusssssss ...

Kzin · 06-23-2006, 07:54 PM

How can you enjoy the jacuzzi without a tv?

Kzin · 06-23-2006, 07:55 PM

How can you really enjoy a relaxing after-jacuzzi smoke of your pipe without a balcony?

Kzin · 06-23-2006, 07:56 PM

Oh, I forgot the shower that you could fit Kareem under, suitable for 3 people ... damn, why don't I believe in hiring hookers again? Help me
1bad, it's fracking legal here!

06-23-2006, 07:58 PM

That looks small for a 350 euro/night room.

Kzin · 06-23-2006, 07:59 PM

So, a relaxing soak in the jacuzzi, a long shower, I feel human again, head down to the bar for a couple drinks, head back up to my room .... it's 2 a.m. I still have about half a gram of hash that must be diposed of before I get on the plane at 1 pm Saturday.

Kzin · 06-23-2006, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobody

That looks small for a 350 euro/night room.

You're not wrong, I've had bigger space for the price, but the amenities are as good as a Courtyard Marriott is going to get ... this ain't the downtown Marriott.

Hug Police · 06-23-2006, 08:01 PM

hey kzin take some pix of some strangers for us, maybe someone in the hotel left their door open

06-23-2006, 08:02 PM

Kzin, if you book a room in the afternoon/evening for one night with a double bed, are you allowed to bring a woman there? Does it cost extra or something?

Kzin · 06-23-2006, 08:04 PM

Heathrow Express station, Terminal 3

Kzin · 06-23-2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobody

Kzin, if you book a room in the afternoon/evening for one night with a double bed, are you allowed to bring a woman there? Does it cost extra or something?

Usually they're not going to care if it's 1 or 2 people, they'll charge you by the room type.

**Etch** · 06-23-2006, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobody

Kzin, if you book a room in the afternoon/evening for one night with a double bed, are you allowed to bring a woman there? Does it cost extra or something?

I don't think they'll say anything if you bring in your laptop.

Hug Police · 06-23-2006, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobody

Kzin, if you book a room in the afternoon/evening for one night with a double bed, are you allowed to bring a woman there? Does it cost extra or something?

i don't think kzin has to worry about that.

Kzin · 06-23-2006, 08:08 PM

Am I supposed to wash my hands in these things or make a salad?

Hug Police · 06-23-2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hug Police

hey kzin take some pix of some strangers for us, maybe someone in the hotel left their door open

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06-23-2006, 07:47 PM	#1
Kzin Frequent Flyer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 48,925	Finish work in London at 4:30 .... Pack up the conference room, take my luggage downstairs to the Hotel Hoppa bus (3 pounds), 20 minutes later I'm at Terminal 3, ready to take the Heathrow Express to Terminal 4 (bus didn't run to 4). Whoops, wrong direction, next stop London in 14 minutes. Oh well, I'm 2.5 hours early for my flight, no problem. Get on the train back in the other direction. It should cost me 14 pounds, but the nice ticket lady says "You made a mistake, we don't charge for mistakes." WHAT A COUNTRY! Back to Terminal 4 in 20 minutes, self-serve boarding pass, express luggage drop, 10 minutes total and I'm on the way to security. Heathrow is testing a new security system. They take random people out of line and run them through some full-body scanner in a booth. Kzin covers his nuts, but they don't pick him. Regular x-ray machine for the luggage and metal detector for Kzin, 5 minutes. It's 6:30, my flight boards in an hour. Look for food! I won't get into Amsterdam until 10:05 local. Find an actually decent Italian restaurant (see other thread), eat & get a glass of wine. 7:30, we board on time, miracle of miracles at Heathrow on a Friday night! An hour or so and I'm landing in Amsterdam. The smooth machine screeches to a halt. Usually my luggage comes in 5-10 minutes at Schiphol, like it did Friday. Tonight .... 35 minutes! Dammit, I could be in Seattle for that! But there's a pretty blonde standing next to me waiting for luggage. To quote Mr. Burns: "Exxxxcellent." When I get bored after 15 minutes of waiting I tell her "It usually doesn't take this long" and the conversation starts. This girl is coming back from a year of volunteer teaching in Tanzania, the first time she's ever been away from home. She got typhoid and malaria in her first four months there. She had to go to the hospital in Dar es Salaam, and felt bad that she had access to such fine medical services when the poor people in Tanzania could only .... Ok, so blah blah blah, she sure was happy to have a white English-speaking person to talk to during that long wait for the luggage! But I was entertained. Her family were waiting outside luggage claim probably wondering wtF was going on. I finally get my luggage at 10:50, with 5 minutes to make the (last) 10:55 free shuttle to my hotel. Throw my luggage on one of Schiphol's free handcarts (damn why don't all airports do this?) and SPRINT across to the bus stop. Make it as the last seat on the bus and off to the hotel. 11:10 and I roll into the Courtyard Amsterdam, where I'd left a checked bag on Tuesday when I left town ... things I didn't want to take on an airplane, but would want on my night back in Amsterdam. Ok, I am BEAT. Long work day, lots of running around, then an airport trip ... I'm pitted out, tired, and want a shower BAD. I just want to get up to my room and chill. The check-in guy says "Oh, I have a very nice room for you." Shit, I forgot! The only room available for my getaway night was the most expensive class of room in the hotel ... usually goes for 350 Euros a night during the week, but I'm getting a weekend special for 225. I get my key and head up to the top (10th) floor of the hotel .... Pics coming.

06-23-2006, 07:50 PM	#2
Kzin Frequent Flyer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 48,925	A bed ... ah, I figured it would have a bed.

06-23-2006, 07:52 PM	#3
Kzin Frequent Flyer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 48,925	A view ... ok, figured it would have a view, top floor .... dammit I need a shower!

06-23-2006, 07:53 PM	#4
Kzin Frequent Flyer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 48,925	A six foot jacuzzi tub! Yusssssss ...

06-23-2006, 07:54 PM	#5
Kzin Frequent Flyer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 48,925	How can you enjoy the jacuzzi without a tv?

06-23-2006, 07:55 PM	#6
Kzin Frequent Flyer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 48,925	How can you really enjoy a relaxing after-jacuzzi smoke of your pipe without a balcony?

06-23-2006, 07:56 PM	#7
Kzin Frequent Flyer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 48,925	Oh, I forgot the shower that you could fit Kareem under, suitable for 3 people ... damn, why don't I believe in hiring hookers again? Help me 1bad, it's fracking legal here!

06-23-2006, 07:58 PM	#8
lollypop Guest Posts: n/a	That looks small for a 350 euro/night room.

06-23-2006, 07:59 PM	#9
Kzin Frequent Flyer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 48,925	So, a relaxing soak in the jacuzzi, a long shower, I feel human again, head down to the bar for a couple drinks, head back up to my room .... it's 2 a.m. I still have about half a gram of hash that must be diposed of before I get on the plane at 1 pm Saturday.

06-23-2006, 08:01 PM	#11
Hug Police banned Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 99	hey kzin take some pix of some strangers for us, maybe someone in the hotel left their door open

06-23-2006, 08:02 PM	#12
lollypop Guest Posts: n/a	Kzin, if you book a room in the afternoon/evening for one night with a double bed, are you allowed to bring a woman there? Does it cost extra or something?

06-23-2006, 08:04 PM	#13
Kzin Frequent Flyer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 48,925	Heathrow Express station, Terminal 3

06-23-2006, 08:08 PM	#17
Kzin Frequent Flyer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 48,925	Am I supposed to wash my hands in these things or make a salad?