Departure Day

Saturday morning most of us gathered for our final breakfast, got extra cups of coffee and remained together talking and sharing hugs and good wishes. We checked out and left our luggage in the hotel and walked to a large park, Vondel, near the hotel. We sat and watched ducks, especially one male duck searching for food and bring it to his mate who was sitting on a nest.  If was a very happy and touching scene. We ate lunch at park outdoor restaurant enjoying watching families and friends playing and chatting. 

Our lengthy departure began smoothly with a tram ride to the Centraal Station, their spelling. Our first transfer was in Rotterdam.  A few minutes after we boarded for Brussels we were told there was a problem and that we should get off the train. Puzzled we inquired and we're told there was a problem on the line and that we should travel to Brussels avoiding the problem.  So, we were told to get on a train to Utrecht. Part way there, in Gouda, we were told to get out and on a train back to Rotterdam due to an accident. 

So..... back in Rotterdam we went to the train information desk and we're yelled at by the person at the desk for not listening to what he said to the people in front of us. So..... I went to the rail service center along with many others. A kind gentleman suggested we have a cup of coffee and wait until 8 PM when they hope to to have the electrical issue resolved.  We ate a little and returned to the service desk a little before eight and were told to hurry to platform six for a train about to leave for Rosendall from which we would get a train to Brussels. We rushed, made it onto the train, transferred at Rosendall and arrived in Brussels at 11 PM. We looked for a tram to take to our B & B, found only buses. We took a taxi to the block-long street where our lodging was located. It was too narrow for the taxi to drive. We walked looking for number 10, after a couple back and forth trips we found it, Premilla entered the code, and we were in. The main room is the dining area. At its end were the stairs, steep and winding to the first floor. Our room is the only one on the floor.  Steep and winding stairs continue to the second and third floors.  There are only three rooms available. 

We immediately went to bed and fell asleep rapidly.

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