First (and Second) Day(s) of Work

I successfully made it to work (both via taxi).  The first day - I liked the taxi driver.  He typed the street into his little GPS thing and we successfully got there.  Today...ugh...the driver was smoking when I got in.  He had no clue where it was so I told him it was near the Holiday Inn - so that's where he drove.  Finally I told him just to pull over by the Holiday Inn and I would walk the rest of the way!!  It isn't far away so it was no big deal. 

Yesterday I met a lot of people - and most of them I don't remember their name!!  They say their names so fast that it is hard to pick it up (plus there is no names on the desks to use as a reference)....so I just don't address anybody directly yet :)

They don't really have a workspace for me so I am at a random table placed at the end of two desks.  It works though.  I have an internet connection and a power supply - that's all I need!  I will be taking over Robin's work (he only works two days a week and studies the other days....so if he has an exam one week he doesn't work at all).  There will be someone from the GSC coming in mid-January to take over all this work so basically I am learning the job from Robin so that I can train the person who comes from the GSC.

On the first day I went to lunch with a few coworkers - we headed to the mall where i got a chicken sandwich which was really good (place was sort of a random assortment of food like pre-made fresh salads, wok, sandwiches or pizza).   Day 1 I left work at 7:15ish and Sandra walked me to the 5 tram.  It's a LONG walk - probably 20-25 minutes.  I didn't know how to buy tickets so I got a free ride.  I made it to the correct stop (Leidesplein) and back to the hotel. 

I asked the concierge for an Italian restaurant recommendation and he suggested Ristorante Italiano Fiorentino - I had Pappardelle alla Toscana (mushrooms, garlic, meat suace, cheese and cream) - which was very delicious.  I was at dinner alone....and had forgotten a book.  So I "journaled" to have something to do.  The waiter who wasn't working heckled me and asked if I was writing him a letter.  Too bad I couldn't come up with a witty response.  Earlier he had hairsprayed his head to get the "Rico Suave Italiano" gelled back hair look....blah.

Day 2 I attempted to go to Rai Station at lunch to get a tram pass.  I wanted a pass that would last for at least a month since I'm going to need it.  I could NOT figure it out.  Usually these things are pretty idiot proof for the tourists but I must just be a huge idiot.  It wanted an ID number to order the month-long pass (which Sandra had previously said you didn't need)....so whatever....it just meant no tram tickets for me.  I decided to go back after work because there were supposed to be people working (starting at 4) who could help me.  Yep, of course there was no one around that I saw who could help so I walked back to my tram 5 station (which by the way is the opposite way as Rai Station from work).....had no tickets again so another free ride...

This time for dinner I asked for a good Dutch restaurant and I got the recommendation that Andrea had mentioned previously - The Pantry.  Again the concierge/bell boy called ahead and made me a reservation (for 1).  When I arrived my table had a "RESERVED" sign on it even though there were plenty of open tables.  I was right in the window!  Luckily I had brought a book (Rick Steves' Amsterdam) so I pulled that out to read.  I ordered Hutspot which is mashed potatoes mixed with stewed beef, carrots and onions and served with a meatball.  It was really delicious - filling meat&potatoes kind of meal.  I got mints with the bill that were in the shape of hearts - fun stuff :) 

After dinner (and having learned about the area from Rick Steves), I walked down "Restaurant Row", through Leidseplein and down Leidsestraat to the Albert Hein for groceries (this time they were out of fresh bread so I bought peanut butter (still have 2 pieces of bread so that's lunch tomorrow), some donut hole thingys with frosting, a bottle of water and some chocolatey peanut thing that looked tasty to me!  I'll let you know how that turns out.  I then walked back to the hotel and am currently paying $7 (plus local taxes) for internet.  I could either pick 6.95 euro for one hour or 6.95 for 60 minutes.  I picked 60 minutes cause it's a bigger number ;)  ROCK ON.

Tomorrow is Friday.  One more day of work this week.  Oh, by the way, they are also setting a stage and decoration up in the lobby at work.  Robin said that Santa Claus was coming for the children....don't know when but I found it kinda funny that he thought I didn't know who Santa Claus was and he started trying to explain "guy with white beard".  I guess i just wasn't expected that big of a show for Santa Claus but it's cool they do that.  If I do see the "guy with white beard" I will be sure to take pictures.  :)