What we did in Amsterdam Schiphol and Brussels

 As promised I'm  back after Christmas. I hope you all had a great time and didn't end up with an upset stomach. :-) Here is the report what happened while we stayed at the Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol. Have fun and happy travels this year, 2012 and very well beyond!

On our first day we used the time to explore Schiphol. The airport is interesting, because there is a food court and shopping mall landside. There are two supermarkets, Albert Heijn and Food Village. We stocked up on American chocolate bars and drinks, so this was definitely a hit. For future reference we kept in mind the luggage store that sells Remowa suitcases.
At the Schiphol Plaza is the largest Burger King in the world. It is really huge, the quality is good and the outlet is always busy. We ate there twice. The white chocolate Blondie wasn't to our taste, because it was too sweet.
We also liked that not everything at Schiphol is commercial. There are a lot of seating spaces and greenery. An aircraft engine was on exhibition. It was an impressive size and sight. Our highlight was the viewing platform, though. I could spend hours there watching all the planes taking off and landing. We saw beside KLM United, Czech Airlines, Astana Airlines from Kazakhstan and others. Information about the airport and aviation is also available, unfortunately only in Dutch. There is also a retired Fokker on view. We loved exploring the plane and the information provided in English.
On the day of our arrival we went to the train ticket counter at the Plaza. Originally we had planned to go to Rotterdam for our full day, but decided to check out international train prizes as well. We were quoted, if memory serves me correct 55 Euro per person / ca. 72 USD for second class or 75 Euro per person / ca. 98 USD for first class for a day return to Brussels, Belgium. The fare was good value in our opinion, so we bought two first class tickets to Brussels. It also gives lounge access at any train station in the Netherlands. We couldn't use the high speed train Thalys, but the Inter City was still fast. It took 2.5 hours each way.
As a side note: The first class train tickets in the Netherlands/Belgium are affordable against the ones in Ireland. For roughly the same distance and duration between Dublin and Belfast we had to pay 200 Euro / ca. 262 USD for two, which is double from the 2nd Class tickets and offers no lounge access.
Our compartment was luxurious and the leg room was bigger than in second class.
A member of staff arrived with a trolley to offer snacks, including sandwiches and sweets, and hot and cold beverages. Unfortunately it’s not free.
Then came the "Walk of Shame". We were surprised how full the First Class compartment was. Well, the issue was solved soon. When the train conductor arrived, three quarters of the passengers had to move to the 2nd class compartment, because they didn't have valid tickets.
The views over the Dutch and Belgium landscape were interesting.
Announcements were made in Dutch, English and French.
We arrived at the central train station and having been in Brussels a few times before, we knew our way around. We admired the Le Meridien, where we had stayed on a previous visit.
This time around we wanted to see the Manneken Pis and the Grand Place.
The Manneken Pis was dressed this time, but unfortunately there was no explanation what he was wearing. There were a lot of other tourists. To get pushed was nothing unusual. In all honesty such behavior drives me mad.
After exploring the Grand Place and City Hall, where it was quieter on a Sunday afternoon, we went to the Amigo, a Sir Rocco Forte Hotel. Always when we are in Brussels we have lunch or a coffee break in the bar. For some reason we have never stayed at the hotel or in any Sir Rocco Forte property for that matter. Once we had also dinner at the famous Bocconi Restaurant. The experience was great.
At the Bar Amigo we received a warm welcome and could choose our seat.
The menu had changed quite a bit and offered now a huge cocktail list and Belgian specialties. During our last visit it was international/Italian.
EW had a hot chocolate and a steak with fries. I had a Mary Pickford - a Prohibition cocktail, it's named after the famous actress of the 1920's and 30's - and rabbit legs with a beer sauce and winter vegetables (including brussel sprouts, cauliflower and carrots.). We shared a bottle of still water. Both dishes are difficult to make, but the chef did an excellent job and the brussel sprouts were very mild and a delicacy. Originally we planned maybe to share a dessert. The quality of the produce used was so high, we weren't able to pursue it. Afterwards we went to St. Nicholas Church and  our favorite shopping gallery the Galeries Royale St. Hubert. I like it especially, because it is a long, light filled space. On this day it was crowded, because it did rain for maybe half an hour, and everyone wanted to avoid getting wet. There were also more restaurants than I remembered.
We had achieved what we wanted, so we made our way to the train station and returned to Schiphol. On the way back the announcements were made when we were in Belgium in French, Dutch, English and German and when we were over the boarder in French, Dutch and English.
This trip had been memorable and inspirational.
One of our wishes is to return to Brussels and stay at the Amigo. Maybe this wish comes true in 2012.

©2011

Merry Christmas

Hi my dear readers,

I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas.

Thanks for following me.

See you all hopefully next week.

Your Writer1976

© 2011

Are we going to church?

 This is about Sam's father Jack and it plays in Chicago in the 1960's. 
Jack was a playboy before meeting Sam's mother Madeleine. Here is the background story to why. 
A quick disclaimer: In real life I'm against any form of violence, no matter what age or gender, racism or anti-Semitism. 
I thought about how much self control Jack has, how young (sixteen) he is and what reaction to the situation he finds himself in, is reasonable to expect in reality. I also asked my better half for advise and followed it, so thanks for that EW.


When Joellen Moser saw the new student her heart beat faster. Jack Richards was tall and gawky. His hair was honey colored and his eyes amber. She had expected Jack's skin was fair and freckled. Instead it was slightly bronzed. No freckles in sight.
Joellen was the opposite. She was dark haired, had blue green eyes, was a little bit plump and on the smaller side.
Her brother brought the new guy home after the debating club finished, where they were both members. Joellen's parents welcomed the well mannered young man into the household.
Joellen admired Jack from afar. Her brother saw her as a nuisance, so she didn't have high hopes Jack was interested in her.
Everything changed when Jack was waiting for her at school and carried her school books. He was a little bit nervous when he asked her, if she wanted to go to the movies with him. Of course she wanted to and from then on they were an item.
Jack took her out to cheap diners, ice skating and an Elvis Presley performance. Tickets to get for that were very hard.
They exchanged their first kiss there. Joellen started dreaming about a big white church wedding and children.
One day on the way home Joellen asked Jack, if he would come with her and her family to mass on Sunday. She had never seen Jack at church. Maybe his family went to a different one or belonged to another branch of Christianity. Jack shuffled with his feet and seemed embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I can't." "Why not?" Jack didn't dare to look into Joellen's eyes. "I'm Jewish." It was the least Joellen expected. She was prejudiced, having heard all her life only the worst about Jews. Joellen was disgusted, when she thought she had kissed a Jew and let him touch her.
She truly believed Jews wanted to accumulate power, wealth and influence at all costs to dominate the world, amongst other things. She shouted angrily at Jack: "Your people have killed Jesus!" Then she spat into Jack's face. He reacted in reflex and slapped Joellen. She touched her cheek in shock. Joellen's eyes filled with tears. She ran away.
Jack was himself shocked. He had never slapped a girl before and never afterwards. His parents had taught him this was a no no. Jack was sorry about it and not proud, but he was also very angry and hurt. He had thought Joellen was different.
Jack had decided to keep his religion a secret at school, because he feared he was going to be an outsider and would encounter trouble and anti-Semitism, if he was honest from the beginning. Nothing did indicate he was Jewish. Previously he had lived in a Jewish working class suburb of Chicago. His parents decided to move into an upscale Christian area, when Jack's father expanded his business.

Joellen felt betrayed. She would have never gone out with Jack, if she had known he was Jewish.
The slap was unforgiveable in her opinion, and it confirmed only her prejudices.
Her first instinct was to tell everyone in Jack's class the truth. Then she had second thoughts. It was too embarrassing and the risk was too high she would be teased or outcast, because she had been an item with a Jew.
Instead Joellen decided to ignore Jack. She tried everything to avoid him. Sometimes when he sat in the canteen near her, she told anti-Semitic jokes. Joellen did everything to push Jack away.

Even though Jack was hurt by Joellen's original reaction, he tried to apologize and maybe give their relationship a chance. When she ignored him and told bad jokes, he realized it was over. In his opinion she was narrow minded and a racist.

Joellen made sure she never dated a Jew again.
Jack nursed a broken heart and swore he was never going to be hurt like that.
He turned into a ladies man. Women seemed to genuinely like him. Jack was charming and attentive until he got, what he wanted - sex. Some thought they could change him, but failed.
Only someone special managed to conquer Jack's heart. It was against both their wills and took a huge leap of faith on Jack's side.

©2011

Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol, Amsterdam The Netherlands

Here is the promised review of the Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol. Hope you like it. :-)

We had two nights in Amsterdam and decided not to go into the city, but stay at Schiphol Airport. If we wanted to go into Amsterdam or somewhere else we could still do that.

We arrived again with the Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus. Of course we could have used the free shuttle to the hotel, but we were travelling light, so we went to the Schiphol Plaza (Train and Bus Station of the airport) and followed the signs for Hotels. We had to go to the very end of the Plaza and take an escalator one floor higher. It's the parking garage of the airport and contains the Sheraton Hotel and the WTC. The Citizen M Hotel has a different exit.
In the complex the Hilton Hotel is signed out. The way stretches the entire building, and it takes around ten minutes.  The hotel is visible from the floor to ceiling windows. We turned right at the end of the building; there is a door that leads outside. We used the stairs, but there is also an elevator in case you have heavy luggage or a disability. From there it is maybe 50 meters to the hotel entrance.

The hotel has an open car park and a drive way with a round about. The roundabout is covered with a lawn. The Hilton hotel has won a colorful bull and a cow at a charity auction. The two are "grazing" peacefully on the lawn.
The building is Y-shaped.
A blue carpet leads to the entrance. Because it is an older hotel the lobby area is small. Most of the space is taken up by the Greenhouse restaurant and the Stopover bar to the left. The restaurant offers Asian and Western cuisine, including a Tepanyaki corner, buffet and a la carte. On Wednesday evening’s guests have the chance to enjoy a Reijstafel, a specialty.
To the right is the reception and a little bit hidden the bell man's desk.
Check in was a breeze. Our room was ready, even if it wasn't check in time yet. We achieved Hilton Honors Diamond status with our stay at the Hilton Charles de Gaulle. To be a Diamond member you must stay either 28 times with any Hilton brand worldwide or achieve 100.000 base points. Because of our status we were immediately upgraded to a club room with club lounge access. Even if we wouldn't have been upgraded, we would have been able to use the club lounge.
The elevator is located at the end of the corridor, and we were impressed when we reached our floor (The 7th). The carpet was most beautiful and lavish as was the flower display.
Our room was non smoking, medium sized and very comfortable. The room was held mostly in signature Hilton browns and was modern. The walls were a light yellow and the lamps provided an interesting play with light and shadow. There was a large standing lamp, a chair, coffee table, writing desk, a flat screen TV with international channels and a fully stocked mini bar. As amenity we received daily a large bottle of water, which is unusual. There was also a cupboard and a wardrobe. Our view was over the training plane of Schiphol's fire fighters. Once a month or so, it is set ablaze and the fire fighters battle the flames. When we were there nothing like this happened.
There is also 24 hours in room dining available. The selection is small, but high quality.
The bathroom was compact, but again very comfortable. There was a toilet, a bath tub and overhead shower and a sink with Peter Thomas Roth amenities. It left enough space to store our toiletries
In the room were also magazines and information provided by the hotel what was going on in Amsterdam, for example there was the Brazilian Festival.
On each floor is also an ice machine (Usable from ca. 07.00 am to ca. 22.00 hours to not inconvenience other hotel guests in nearby rooms. In room service provides ice during the night.) and a shoe shine machine.

The club lounge is located on the highest (8th) floor and interesting shaped, because it is located in the one of the corners, so there are a few nooks and crannies to explore. Sometimes the door to the club lounge is open. If not, guests can gain entry by inserting their room key into the slot on the right side.
Breakfast is served until 10.30 hours during weekdays and 11.00 on weekends. During the day there are cakes, chocolates with edible gold and silver, cheese and much more. Coffee, tea and alcohol free beverages as well as Port are through out the day available. In the evening there were appetizers, wine and liqueur on offer. The quality was very high and we enjoyed spending time in the lounge.
There is a flat screen TV available. For those, who care for playing games, there are a few board games to your disposal. The library is very small and the choice wasn't to my liking. What I liked was the bowl containing two gold fish on the writing desk of the hostess. There are at least four hostesses. Each one asked us for our room number, so security is high and cheating is as good as impossible. That's for the Flyer Talkers out there. Unlike at the Hilton Charles de Gaulle, where the club lounge is not always manned, at the Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol we always encountered a member of staff.
Views were over one of the runways, and take offs got especially busy during the morning and late afternoon. Most planes were from KLM, which makes sense, because Schiphol is the home of the airline.

On one of the evenings we had in room dining. My better half is a big fan of burgers. He has tried a few Hilton Burgers by now and this is what he ordered. I had the salmon with piri piri sauce. It was mild and not too spicy. Both dishes were very good.
We also used the wake up call service. It was always punctual, which was positive. The bed was so comfortable, it was difficult to get out of it.
The Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol is also taking part in Ducks for Change, all donations are going to the Hilton Foundation, helping young people to get a better life. We have already a little collection of ducks. One pack contains three ducks in different outfits. We have the Christmas edition, the sports edition and the adventure/safari edition, at least I call them so... :) Two of them are from Amsterdam (adventure/safari and Christmas).

Of course staying at the Hilton wasn't the only thing we did. Please look out for another part of our travel.

©2011

What's coming up?

Well, a few things...

- The Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol and what we did during our two night stay.

- a short story about Sam's father Jack

- The Park Hyatt Milan

- The Shelbourne - A Renaissance Hotel, Dublin

- The Sheraton Heathrow

and of course much more.

Please spare with me, though, I'm quite busy at work.

©2011

Luizia

 Some might remember Luizia, Sam's sister in law. This is a spanking story about her.

Luizia knew it was stupid what she had done. She also knew her mother Maria Isadora was going to discipline her. Luizia hoped she was going to escape with a scolding and grounding. The look on her mother's face and the fact she hid something behind her back, didn't bode well, though. Luizia's mother had placed a chair in the middle of the kitchen.
"Luizia, how often have I warned you to keep to the curfew?" "Mhm, I don't know, maybe five times?" "And how often have I grounded you for the same offence?" Luizia knew exactly she had been reprimanded seven times and grounded six times. On each occasion Maria Isadora had explained how Luizia's behavior made her feel. Luizia had promised it wouldn't happen again. They had repeated the same ritual over and over. Maria Isadora was fed up and thought she had to make a point. "Luizia, talking doesn't seem to work, taking away privileges neither, so I have to use my last resort and believe me, I hate to do it." With that Maria Isadora grabbed her daughter by the arm, sat down on the chair and pulled her sixteen year old over her lap. Luizia, who was dark haired, was too shocked to struggle or react. She suddenly came to live, when her mother pushed up her skirt. Her mother hadn't spanked her since ... Well, a long time ago. Luizia thought she was too old to be punished that way. "Mama, please don't. I will obey you." "Luizia, I'm going to go through with it, because I don't believe you anymore. This is just a reminder that you aren't an adult yet and if you don't behave like one, I'm treating you like a child. Is this understood?" Maria Isadora's voice was stern. She slapped Luizia's dotted panty clad rear, when Luizia didn't answer promptly. "Yes, Ma'am." Luizia hurried to reply. Luizia didn't want to earn herself extra smacks. "Young lady, in future you are going to return on time, or you find yourself over my knee again. Is it clear?" Maria Isabelle punctuated every word with a smack. They weren't especially hard, but the amount raining down on Luizia's bottom had some impact and made Luizia squirm. Luizia thought her punishment was over. To her dismay she was asked to raise her hips. "Please, Mama, don't. I have learned my lesson." Luizia's pleading felt on deaf ears. "Luizia, I decide when you have learned your lesson! Raise your hips or you are going to be a very sorry girl." Against her will Luizia obeyed. Her mother pulled the red dotted panties down to Luizia's knee. Luizia felt very young and childish, having her bared behind sticking up in the air, knowing it was going to be peppered in a few moments. She thought it was going to be a hand spanking, but had completely forgotten the implement her mother had hidden from her. Now was the time to retrieve it. Luizia's eyes bulged. Her mother produced a purple heart wood paddle. It was around 16 inches long and an inch thick. Luizia was terrified. Her mother had previously only used her hand, and that had been enough to make Luizia cry. Luizia dreaded her impeding punishment. Maria Isadora saw her "handiwork" from earlier. Luizia's pert bottom was pink. Maria Isadora sent the paddle crashing down on Luizia's behind. It was so large, it nearly covered Luizia's whole seat. Luizia screamed. Her bottom felt like it was exploding. She was glad her father was on a business trip and her younger brother Luiz already asleep. She promised herself to keep her voice down. Luizia didn't want her brother witnessing her punishment. She would have been very embarrassed. The next swat wasn't easier to take. Luizia managed barely to be quieter. Maria Isadora continued to smack Luizia's bottom merciless. The swats weren't as hard as the first two, but they made sure Luizia lost composure. After the fourth stroke Luizia burst into tears and started to kick, because her behind was on fire. After another scorching swat Luizia kicked again, and her panty flew across the room. Luizia didn't even notice. Maria Isadora put an end to her daughters struggle and restrained Luizia. She pushed Luizia over her left leg, making sure her daughter's rear was sticking up, and then circled Luizia's legs with her right. Maria Isadora thought about wrapping up the punishment. Another three licks, and she was satisfied Luizia had had enough. She helped Luizia up and smoothed Luizia's skirt down. Maria Isadora briefly hugged her daughter. "Go to your room now. I'm going to have a chat with you tomorrow about it. Sleep well, darling." Maria Isadora gave Luiza a kiss on the sweaty forehead. Luizia hadn't stopped crying yet. She was in pain, angry and upset. Sometimes she wished her older sister Adrianna was still living at home. Adrianna was married and studied in the United States. Adrianna would have comforted Luizia. Because Maria Isadora had ordered her to her room, Luizia didn't dare to call Adrianna. Normally Luizia would have been responsible and removed her make up, which had been ruined by the tears. This night Luizia didn't give a damn and cried herself to sleep. The next morning she was surprised there was just one small bruise on her left sit spot. Still her behind felt overall sore and her soul and spirit bruised. Luizia was close to tears, and she was sad and disappointed. She felt like her world was crashing down on her.
Maria Isadora had been sleeping badly. She felt guilty and sorry for Luizia. Maria Isadora questioned herself, if she had been too hard and beat herself up, because she hadn't found a different solution. Maria Isadora admitted she had reacted partly in anger. She was the adult and should have been more responsible.

When Luiz, Maria Isadora and Luizia sat down for breakfast, the tensions were undeniable there. Luizia was not as usual quibbling with Luiz and concentrated on the plate in front of her. She was ashamed and didn't dare looking into her mothers eyes.
Maria Isadora was concerned. Hopefully she was able to clear the air later.

Luiz was sent off to play with one of the neighbors kids.
Luizia made signs she wanted to leave the table. Maria Isadora stopped her. "Luizia, while you help me with the dishes, we can talk." Luizia didn't want to, but nodded, not looking up.
Mother and daughter carried the used plates and cutlery to the kitchen.
"Luizia, how do you feel?" Luizia didn't want to respond, so she simply stared at the floor. Maria Isadora put a finger under Luizia's chin and gently raised Luizia's head. "Are you going to give me an answer?" Luizia kept quiet. "If you don't, I'll go ahead." Luizia didn't make a sign. Maria Isadora stated: "I'm feeling bad." It got Luizia's attention. "Me, too." Luizia admitted and suddenly hugged her mother tightly and burst into tears. "Now, darling, it's okay. I'm sorry I spanked you yesterday. I shouldn't have done that." "I deserved it, Mama. I behaved like a spoiled brat. I know you were worried and still I did it again and again. I'm so ashamed. I even don't know why I did it..." "Don't worry, honey. Let's put it down to rebellious teenage years, okay?" Maria Isadora, caressed Luizia hair. Her daughter relaxed visible and sniffled only lightly. "Luizia, we need to talk about how we should go on in the future." "I promise I have learned my lesson and won't arrive later than my curfew. If something is going to keep me, I'm going to call, so that you don't have to worry." Luizia was gnawing on her lower lip. She surprised her mother. "If I'm late again without any excuse, you should paddle me as you promised." "What?!" "It seems I only learn when I'm over your lap... But could you do me a favor please?" "What is it?" "Please don't spank me on the bare. The paddle hurts plenty even with my clothing on." "Okay. I can agree to that."

Luizia pretty soon overcame her bad feelings, and her relationship with her mother returned to normal nearly immediately. Luizia had never been one to hold a long grudge. Naturally she never forgot her punishment or the reason behind it and took great care to arrive on time. Luizia encountered the paddle another time, but that is another story.

©2011