Who's in Amsterdam? Need some quick advice

[Mr. Bloom]

Our kids are in Europe - alone. They just checked into the van Ostade Bicycle Hotel and were given an apartment across the street rather than the reserved room in the hotel. I like the idea of a busy hotel with the front entrance being observed from the front desk rather than a more isolated apartment.

Should I be concerned?

[papaver]

I don't think so. What should happen then? Just make sure that their bikes (if they are travelling with their bicycles) are stored in a closed environment. Bikes get stolen all the time (but that's a worldwide problem I guess). And besides that, just make sure that they stay off the weed.

[withm]

There are surveillance video cameras EVERYWHERE in Amsterdam, especially at the entrances of hotel, intersections, public and private buildings. I would not worry. And remind them that big brother is watching.

[Zen]

just make sure that they stay off the weed.

Yeah, just go to the "coffee house" instead

[Mr. Bloom]

And besides that, just make sure that they stay off the weed.

I worry about many things...but that's not one of them. SilverDaughter melts down in the presence of cigarette smoke...

Yeah, just go to the "coffee house" instead

Thanks. I'll scrutinize the credit card statement for surejust in case


Papa: if I get concerned, Belgium is next on their schedule so I'll see if you can check in on them

[tulip]

From my experience, Belgium is really tame compared to the Netherlands. Perhaps it has something to do with Protestant vs. Catholic, but whatever, they'll be more than fine in Belgium. I hope they are having a wonderful time. What a great experience for them! You are fantastic parents to encourage them and help them make a trip like that happen.

[Running Mommy]

Can I be a Silver kid???

No really. I'd be the BEST kid you have ever known!!


(p.s. I spent a month in Europe when I graduated high school. It's one of the highlights of my life.)

p.s.s. Tell them to MIND THEIR wallets/pocketbooks whilst in Amsterdam. And ESPECIALLY when getting on and off of trains everywhere in Europe. In our group three people at three different times, in three different countries fell victim when getting on/off the train. And almost always it was the helpful stranger who "gave them a hand" getting on/off the train. OY

[papaver]

From my experience, Belgium is really tame compared to the Netherlands. Perhaps it has something to do with Protestant vs. Catholic, but whatever, they'll be more than fine in Belgium. I hope they are having a wonderful time. What a great experience for them! You are fantastic parents to encourage them and help them make a trip like that happen.

Ehum, if you compare Amsterdam to Belgium, then yes maybe you're right. But Amsterdam isn't really the Netherlands... It's like saying New York is the US. It is, but not really.

Hey Mr Silver, advice your kids to come to Leuven (near Brussels) they are going to love it. It's a small university city that is really cool to hang out, and not dangerous at all. It's really focused to the younger crowds, so they'll fit right in. They just have to be careful with their bikes. Antwerp will be their thing too, I'm sure.



@ Tulip: boy it's time you come back to Belgium for a week or so. I'll show you around a bit. You won't call it tame any longer.

[Mr. Bloom]

I'll send them text messages now (isn't technology grand!)

RM: Being a SilverKid isn't the best gig:

• you have to put up with SilverParents
• If you go to Europe without said SilverParents, so do it with your own money!
• You have to check in with SilverDad at least two or three times a day so he won't worry (and who cried as he was putting them on the plane)

But on a more serious note, they have done a great job planning this trip and it seems that they're being responsible and safe (which I would expect)

[tulip]

Papaver, I've never been to Amsterdam, only to Zeeland, which is very rural and beautiful, if a bit chilly in July. But the house I stayed in was, in it's former incarnation, a *ahem* house of ill repute. It still had mirrors on the ceiling, although it had been purchased from the madam for a more conventional life as a family vacation house a few years prior to my trip. So that's my extremely limited perspective of rural NL!

As for Belgium, I'd love to come and visit and get your grand tour. I've only been once, to Bruges. I enjoyed it very much. That was nearly 20 years ago.

Mr. Silver, they sound like good and responsible kiddos. I'm sure they will do the right thing.

[Grog]

[*]You have to check in with SilverDad at least two or three times a day so he won't worry (and who cried as he was putting them on the plane )

That's funny!

I think I sometimes wished I had SilverDad when I was younger. When traveling on my own I call my parents once or twice a week, and they say: "Hmmm, so why are you calling again?" I'm past 30 now, but it was the same when I was 17.

They're not bad parents, and they love me lots, they're just NOT worriers at all.

My husband on the other hand "has" to call/text/email his parents/sister every day and sometimes twice a day when we're on the road. Needless to say, it drives me crazy! His parents *are* silver.

This being said, I have NO concern whatsoever about your kids and their safety. I'm sure they've been raised to be autonomous young adults. Don't worry too much about them!

[papaver]

Papaver, I've never been to Amsterdam, only to Zeeland, which is very rural and beautiful, if a bit chilly in July. But the house I stayed in was, in it's former incarnation, a *ahem* house of ill repute. It still had mirrors on the ceiling, although it had been purchased from the madam for a more conventional life as a family vacation house a few years prior to my trip. So that's my extremely limited perspective of rural NL!

As for Belgium, I'd love to come and visit and get your grand tour. I've only been once, to Bruges. I enjoyed it very much. That was nearly 20 years ago.

Mr. Silver, they sound like good and responsible kiddos. I'm sure they will do the right thing.

The house of ill repute...LOL... I've stayed in one of those too, and there was a kind of plastic covering the matras , but that was in Amsterdam (in the Van Ostade hotel, I believe it was.... just kidding MrSilver )

Bruges is gorgeous, but very very boring at night. Nothing happens there. Ghent has much more to offer.

As for MrSilver's kids... believe me, they will have the time of their lives travelling through Europe!

[Grog]

Bruges is gorgeous, but very very boring at night. Nothing happens there. Ghent has much more to offer.

That's what you think until you've seen the movie (simply titled Bruges).

Check it out if you don't mind a quirky sense of humour.

[papaver]

That's what you think until you've seen the movie (simply titled Bruges).

Check it out if you don't mind a quirky sense of humour.

I've seen it.

[tulip]

Bruges is gorgeous, but very very boring at night. Nothing happens there. Ghent has much more to offer.

I'm a morning person, not a night owl, so Bruges sounds right to me. Is Ghent mostly francophone? Could one get by in most of Belgium with only French? I've not made much headway into Flemish, I just end up with a sore throat .