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jacktellsliesThe American consulate is located at Museumplein, which is where tourists go so that when their mothers ask what they did in Amsterdam, they can mumble something about Van Gogh. It is wrapped so completely in fences and guards and fear that I can't actually recall what the building itself looked like.
The British consulate is located next to one of Amsterdam's most beloved parks in a neighbourhood so opulent and tasteful I was almost glad this mess gave me cause to wander in it. The leaves are beginning to turn in this city, but in that neighbourhood in particular fall seemed to be approaching a bit earlier. I like anything that is willing to bend time and space a little in the name of charm. There were no unsightly fences, only a very polite guard. His sensors and machines and alarms were tucked away inside and unobtrusive even there.
Take from this what you like.
I find that I don't often have neutral experiences with British people. I either adore them, or I'd like to cock slap them into outer space. The operator at the consulate to whom I spoke on the phone the other day, for example, was an intolerable wench. The guards, however, were something else entirely. The first one wasn't quite sure what to tell me, but stopped a friend of his as he arrived at work on his bike. (For the record, the correct thing to say in such a situation is in fact, "I'm sorry, are you even on the clock yet? I can wait." You won't have to wait, and you will have an immensely helpful new friend.) I spoke to no one official. But I have a clearer idea of what needs to be done, and they implied that this ought to be less of a problem than the airport guards made it seem. My hope is restored.
The British consulate is located next to one of Amsterdam's most beloved parks in a neighbourhood so opulent and tasteful I was almost glad this mess gave me cause to wander in it. The leaves are beginning to turn in this city, but in that neighbourhood in particular fall seemed to be approaching a bit earlier. I like anything that is willing to bend time and space a little in the name of charm. There were no unsightly fences, only a very polite guard. His sensors and machines and alarms were tucked away inside and unobtrusive even there.
Take from this what you like.
I find that I don't often have neutral experiences with British people. I either adore them, or I'd like to cock slap them into outer space. The operator at the consulate to whom I spoke on the phone the other day, for example, was an intolerable wench. The guards, however, were something else entirely. The first one wasn't quite sure what to tell me, but stopped a friend of his as he arrived at work on his bike. (For the record, the correct thing to say in such a situation is in fact, "I'm sorry, are you even on the clock yet? I can wait." You won't have to wait, and you will have an immensely helpful new friend.) I spoke to no one official. But I have a clearer idea of what needs to be done, and they implied that this ought to be less of a problem than the airport guards made it seem. My hope is restored.
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-09 12:54 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-09 02:39 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-09 04:33 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-09 05:25 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-09 02:58 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-09 03:23 pm (UTC)*smile*
i suspect that they will be so overcome with delight at having discovered a polite american that they will not only give you everything you want, but that they shall then go home and blog about it.
Mission: being super famous on the intarwubs.
Date: 2008-09-09 04:36 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-09 04:31 pm (UTC)(as an aside: i untied your knot, finally! it didnt take too long.)
(no subject)
Date: 2008-09-09 04:35 pm (UTC)I saw a spectacular, very Athenian looking owl gracing one of the buildings in the fantastic neighbourhood in which I found the British consulate. You'd also love the spiders here. I think? You do like spiders, yes? They are immense and very fuzzy, and never come into the houses.