Hello from car 13, seat 35 aboard Thalys 9338 from Amsterdam to Paris. WiFi is complimentary in first class so here I am connected to Fodorville. Four days into our two week trip is a bit late to be doing trip planning (even by my standards) and thank goodness no emergencies that require referral, so just a reportlet (is that a word? it is now.)
Amsterdam for the World Cup semifinal last night - what a treat! Watched the game in a Rembrandtplein pub with about a gazillion (OK, that's hyperbole - only 0.5 gazillion, or .3 gazillion for those not using the metric system.) Reaction when Holland won over Uruguay was enthusiastic but good-natured, exuberant but not obnoxious. Hooligans, take note.

BTW, the Hi-Speed Thalys is actually only high speed from Brussels to Paris - the first part of the trip is on track that cannot accommodate the high speeds.

Now back to the in transit service.... there is a coffee waiting for me

Maybe I'll walk on top of you later. On my way home I cross a bridge over the Gare du Nord train tracks and there is usually a Thalys pulling into the station at that time.

Arrival is scheduled for 1635h - be sure to wave!
This is the first time in several days that I have logged in - is your whooping cough better?

My colleagues keep telling me to go to the doctor, but I think I am just allergic to work, because the minute I leave the office I stop coughing.

Won't have walked over your train, because I walk over the one at 17:35.

Wifi will soon be available free on all NS trains. So you'll be able to get online as soon as you get on the train from Schiphol next time .

I'm surprised you weren't going at speed in teh Netherlands - the tracks are cleared for it and they normally do go fast - to the Belgian border, where they slow down again until Brussels, as I understand it.

Kerouac your work mates are probably scared you will cough your germs all over them & next thing you know..........you'll be better and all alone at work!

Can I be so bold as to ask you why are you walking home from Gare de Nord? I'm looking at my metro map and see Line 12 passes through Concorde and right onto your front door at Marx Dormoy. Sorry to be so darn inquisitive!

Seamus - My son flew down to Cape Town for the match and when his dad called him to find out about the stadium, atmosphere etc., all he got was a loud Vuvuzela noise over the phone and lots a merriment! I was very happy with the Netherlands result! ( being half Dutch myself), but everyone here in South Africa thinks Germany will take it in the final.

Seamus: We are in the planning stages of a reverse trip in April 2011; BOS to CDG and then train to Amsterdam and back to BOS. I have followed your apartment picks in Paris, actually stayed in one you recommended about 4 or 5 years ago on Rue Mornay. Are you staying in an apartment in Paris this time. We are thinking of a houseboat "Little Bear on the Water" in Amsterdam. Ever heard of it (online)? I'd enjoy hearing about the Amsterdam portion of your trip as well as the Thalys ride. Have fun in Paris.

hi opaldog - yes, I recall that apartment, it was the one we rented for the first niece trip. We thought it was fine and in a great location but wanted something larger for subsequent trips and have jumped around based on availability. Last year we wound up in the 15th with some trepidation but wound up loving the place and the location. Unfortunately, it was booked for our dates this year. Today we "met" our latest place, in the 11th near Oberkampf/St. Maur. It is (thankfully) a few blocks away from the club / cafe / bar area, appears to have everything we want except air conditioning.
Will write more about our brief stay in Amsterdam later - pretty much all good.

If you have a link to your apartment I'd love to see it. We have stayed in a few Paris apartments since Rue Mornay. Our last in October 2009 was a studio right on Place Marche du Ste Catherine in the 4th. It was number 2 and was featured in the first Bourne movie, Bourne Identity, I think. Look forward to hearing more.