The Amsterdam BnB

It's small, but boat living tends to be in small spaces, unless one has a yacht. However, the contrast between the BnBs we've stayed in: city, country, loft, modern, antique, has been more than fun.

We arrive at each location and try to determine if there's a washing machine and dryer (in this one the owner changed our washing from the machine to the dryer. You don't get that service in a hotel, just a high-priced laundry), hair dryer, etc.

In some there are cooking facilities. This one has a miniscule frigo and a hotplate. Tea and coffee are provided.

Hair dryer. So far yes, yes, yes, no, yes.

In all but one we met interesting people. They were away.

This one, in Amsterdam a houseboat, is owned by a young student studying mental health. They bought the location, got rid of the rotten boat on the site and built this one which houses three apartments, two of which they rent. Young and enthusiastic made them fun to talk to just as John was along with the interesting books and Charles was with his fascinating artwork.

If one has a disadvantage it will have other advantages: view, novelty, babbling brooks.

Mostly it is the joy of meeting new people whose lives enrich my own when I hear of their experiences. 

Orderly? Hah!

I know I keep going on and on about the BnBs, but it has added such a dimension to our trip. I promise this will be the last BnB. We book through https://www.airbnb.com/ and have found it easy and truthful.

Last night as we were both writing on our computers, tourists boats went by and we waved, they waved.

This is our last BnB for now, now anyway. What a variety of experiences we've had and this is the most fun--a canal boat in Amsterdam. It's the opposite of Montreal, a one bedroom condo with dining area and large living area, but then space on a boat is always small.

The water is right outside our window and the boat across the way is almost a mirror image of the one we are staying on.

The last few days Rick is off to a conference, I'm catching up with the next newsletters. 

More and more I am thinking of doing a Murder in Amsterdam. Annie, my heroine, thinks it is a good idea. The historical part could be the Tulip Bubble.

The houseboat owner and her friend had never heard of it.

Of course I still have to hand in Murder in Schwyz to my publisher and I've about 20,000 words into Murder in Edinburgh, 

The next five weeks in Geneva and Argelès should be more orderly for work, she wrote with a smile, knowing that orderly and life have not been the norm forever no matter which country I'm in. 

BnB

Our latest BnB, this one is located in Köln in the old town. The best part of BnBs for me, is the surprise element, unlike chains which are boringly the same.

 Just a touch of colour over the table where I set up the computer.

The bed is narrower than the one last night, but still was comfortable on a test.

The best part of BnBs is the people you meet.

The owner of this BnB is a 31-year-old Hungarian woman, with almost perfect English. She has recently come back from working six months in Kurdistan teaching physical training classes.

Visibly sad at the threat to her new friends, she gave us insight into what she considers are warm, productive people.

Our conversation was one of the many highlights of the day.