2 Weeks in Paris and Haarlem, Dec 2009

Old Dec 23rd, 2009, 09:57 AM
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thanks TPAYT- Merry Christmas to you too.

Hetismij - bahn.de German site says no trains after 8pm like you said but i will check for sure - i was surprised no trains but then on such days you never know. Anyway thanks for the info and details.

I can't wait till i get to Amsterdam and Holland once again - Paris and France too, bien sur!
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Old Dec 28th, 2009, 10:16 AM
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Pal...telling you to have a good time is rather senseless...I know you'll make a good time of anything no matter! Enjoy being with son...have a very happy, peaceful New Year..
Keep us informed..

Stu Tower
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Old Dec 28th, 2009, 10:49 AM
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Details about Haarlem are even more interesting than boring old Paris.
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Old Dec 28th, 2009, 11:11 AM
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Pal, I had the good fortune to spend two New Year's Eves in the Netherlands. Perhaps "bombastic" is not the proper English to describe the event, but it sounds right. "Explosive", "concussive", or "F@#$%%@ Crazy" probable are good starting points.

The main difference that startles us Yanks is that unlike the States, when firecrackers start early in the day, and other displays start happening around dusk, with the big displays happening at full dark, In Holland they all start at the stroke of midnight, and everything goes up at once -- everyplace! People spend an awful lot on personal fireworks and, since buildings are mostly brick, and the roofs of tile --- stand back!

My first was on a balcony in Amsterdam itself, overlooking a typical narrow street. At the stroke of midnight the entire street erupted. It was literally filled with flame, sparks and bursting rockets. It was so intense we had to retreat into the room and close the French doors, as we expected to be incinerated. Younger folks, chaps mostly, raced up and down the street through the rain of fire, shooting roman candles at anything and anyone.

The second NYE was spent in a rather rural suburb, and I expected it to be tamer. No way! My host handed each member of our party as we left his home to go to the square a pair of safety glasses. Wise move, as we needed them. A set of fisherman's rain gear would have been handy to act as armor, as well.

You will have a WONDERFUL time!

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Old Dec 28th, 2009, 12:45 PM
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I'll be watching on my Amsterdam webcam for that!
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Old Dec 28th, 2009, 01:08 PM
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Haven't been to Haarlem in about 5 years, but it is fantastic! I was in the NL for New Year's and they definitely weren't running trains from A-dam to Haarlem after midnight. I ended up taking a taxi from A-dam all the way to Zandvoort where I was staying. Cost about 180 euro, if I remember correctly ;-)

Great place to spend the holidays...have fun
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 07:39 AM
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nukesafe -your description of the truly BOMB-bastic NYE in Haarlem (or Amsterdam or even as you point out in the sticks)- how bombastic it really is like Baghdad during Shock & Awe - loud fireworks everywhere - folks at my Haarlem B&B - Dutch folk said that this bombastic NYE works have been a longtime tradition- they did say they thought it was a bit down in recent years!

nukesafe - thanks for your NYE's memories
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Old Jan 8th, 2010, 09:13 AM
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I feel that I have missed out on a lot of the story.
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