Want

I think I want this place. Nicely situated in central Amsterdam, close to my friends and – wow – it’s affordable. Why? Did somebody die in it? Is it smelly and neglected? I’ll find out on Monday, at 4.30 pm – I’ve just made the appointment.

My flight has been booked… fortunately the budget seats were still available. I remember a few years ago the cheapest flights to London were 260 guilders. They’re 178 guilders now thanks to competition from Easyjet and other budget flight operators, I suppose.

Now I’m hunting for cheap accommodation for one night in London. I’ve been booking accomodation in London through the internet since I first got on the web… that’s April 1995. At the time, it seemed more easy to find something, simply because there was less choice.

However, not much has changed when it comes to actually booking something. On line reservation is rare, you still have to phone or fax the hotel. I would like to see a system where you can check whether a hotel has rooms available. It should be possible.

It’s nice to see pictures of the hotel – the front of a building may not say much about the quality inside, but how else are you going to choose? It doesn’t matter much this time around because it’s only for one night. We’re travelling on to Brighton the next day. There’s lots of choice in accomdation in Brighton as well. I’ve tried e-mailing a few places, but so far I have received no answer from any of them. I shouldn’t think Brighton is booked out in this weather. (Yes darlings, it’s still pouring down in Northern Europe.)

… I hope to find Tellytubbies t-shirts in London for my friend’s two toddlers. :-)