Waking up with more people that you went to sleep with!

The first point worth making is that 'hosteling' in a popular and cosmopolitan city such as Amsterdam in no resembles the same activity experienced when on journeys to out out of the way places. For example the hostel in Mopti, Mali, was an oasis of calm and security in a chaotic ocean of poverty, decay and danger (I include the wildlife and environment of the Sahara as much as the locals). It was as though the enclosed environs of the large multi-roomed building, compound is a more appropriate term, sought to create an air of isolation, generate a sense of safety. This it did and even though Tony and slept in a large, ten or twelve berth, mixed dormitory we felt relaxed in the knowledge that we were secure.

What a difference in Amsterdam. The hostel, not sure if actually qualifies as such but never mind, consists of three floors above the 'Durty Nellys' Irish bar on the outskirts of the red-light district of Amsterdam, more of that later. Our room lay on the second floor and contained six beds. Initially, when we checked in at the earliest stated time of 12pm, we had the room to ourselves. It was basic, with the smallest en-suite bathroom I have ever seen, but exactly as I expected. Compared to the faded shine of the Colibris in Larache, Morocco it was immaculate. After spending the afternoon mooching about the city and downing half-a-dozen pints both Sam and I opted for an early night. OK, we had a couple of hours snooze in the afternoon but that was due to the extremely early start. With the window open and the sounds of the leering and curious throng that milled around in the red glow of the alley-ways visible from our window, we fell into a light sleep.

The incongruous church clock that sat in the centre of the whore riddled streets struck the quarter-hour and I faded back to consciousness, there were harsh voices and footsteps in the hallway outside. I just knew this was someone additional for our small, yet cozy, room. Sure enough seconds later the door opened and high heels clattered in the darkness. Using a mobile phone for a light the unidentified intruder fumbled towards an empty bed by the window.

'Turn the light on if you really need to.' I offered, Sam grunted.

'Really? You sure?' An American, there seemed to be more from the USA in Amsterdam than any other nationality, even the Dutch.

Sam grunted again as harsh light illuminated the room making sleep a dim possibility. I checked my watch, ten to eleven. Much fumbling in suitcases and smaller bags ensued and it was twenty minutes later before accented voices from the hallway called for our new room mate and the room was plunged into darkness once more. I finally fell asleep around midnight.

I do seem to remember the door opening several more times but failed to register the reason. However when I awoke this morning, around seven, the room was full of slumbering occupants.

I rose and washed with the intention to get some breakfast at the bar downstairs. The free breakfast, already laid out, seemed poor fare so I will wait until the kitchen begins serving a 'Full Irish' at nine (three minutes hence). Predictable when I left the room Sam was still asleep and offered no more than the characteristic grunt, I'll kick him in an hour.

Yesterday was a nice slow day, even with the travel element. We arrived at twelve, checked in, were served a beer just to illustrate that it was cheaper as a guest. After a walk to Rembrantspien we deserved a few beers and sat watching the world pass for a coupe of hours. Then it was back to the hostel/bar for lunch which I must say was excellent. Back out for a few more beers and to get an IPhone charger for Sam. Then a snooze and dinner at an Argentinian steak house. Our chosen eatery was somewhere I had tried to patronise during a previous visit to Amsterdam but due to the late hour of our arrival had shut minutes earlier. Now, finally, I managed to order the large Sirloin Steak I had craved after driving from Prague to Amsterdam two years earlier.

Throughout the day Sam had received a call and texts from his 'Everquest 2' buddies. This MMORPG (Massive Multi=Player Online Role Playing Game for the uninitiated) provides players from around the globe a platform to make friends much the same way as a more conventional social networking site. Sam had been in contact with two brothers from Amsterdam for some years now and he finally has the opportunity to meet them.

Sorry, had to stop there for my full Irish breakfast, which was awesome and most welcome. With Mumford and Sons playing in the background I think that this is a great start to the day. Good omens hopefully. The plan is to visit the Van Gogh Museum and meet up with Sam's buddies this afternoon, and to find a power adapter so that I can charge the mac and keep the blog running. Blimey it's hot though.