6 Sept.
Between Utrecht & Arnhem
"Arrived Heathrow yesterday at 7.45pm. Was then shuttled off to the hotel after whizzing through immigration (border agent didn't want to see my documents as they were all in German).*
Sat next to a pleasant couple from Courtenay on the plane. Was unable to sleep beyond a certain shallow level, so I spent the time watching Gladiator, O Brother Where Art Thou, and the Hangover until everyone else started waking up.
Hotel in London and the dinner there was a let down, especially compared to the lush accomodation given us in Vancouver (Sheraton, Marriott and Fairmont). Also no free WiFi at this hotel. Have no properly slept since the Wednesday night before I left**, so I am fixin' up to crash something awful.
Was up today at 4am for a 4.30am shuttle to the airport for my 7am flight. Have been very impressed with British Airway's handling of the situation. Spent the morning wait at Heathrow Terminal 5 talking about BC with a Dutch couple, who would later help me organize my border crossing into Holland my first European train ride. Wound up sitting next to the Dutch couple on the plane for the short jump over the Channel to Schiphol.
No problem with immigration at Schiphol: fellow didn't even ask for any documentation when I told him I was staying in Germany for 9 months without a Visa.
Currently hurtling between Utrecht and Arnhem on a Deutsche Bahn InterCityExpress train. Very comfortable. Conductor asked me for my ticket, but said something to the effect of, "I've fogotten my ticket-clamper", and then wandered off. Probably for the best, as I'm unsure if my Dutch railticket is good for the ICE (NB: It wasn't)."
Shortly following this entry I arrived in Arnhem, where I was met by Thomas. The idea was that I'd ring him when I arrived, but he decided to stop by the station simply by chance - no need to struggle with Dutch telephones then!
** Three days at this point.
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