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Amsterdam Mini-ET

by Nomad Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 09:12:15 AM EST

There's interest to realise a mini-ET meet-up in Amsterdam in May.

So far people who expressed interest to attend are:
nanne
Metatone
DVX
Helen
Nomad

Friday May 8

Update [2009-4-8 15:50:15 by Nomad]: Saturday May 9 everyone seems available. If people stay longer for the weekend an additional programme still may be devised.

I'd suggest a get-together, with food, on the Saturday evening at ~19:30, and we'll see from there.

Question 1: Is May 9 good for parties involved

Question 2: Would people be interested in developing a day programme?

Accommodation

For the adventurous, I can recommend Couch Surfing, which undoubtedly will add to additional spice of experiencing Amsterdam and its citizens.

Of hotels I know little. Nanne or anyone, this is a good moment to step in.

After browsing a bit I get good vibes from the following:

Hotel Crystal

Hotel Crystal **

2e Helmerstraat
1054 CH Amsterdam
Tel. 0031206180521
E-mail: hotelcrystal@planet.nl

Situated close to the Vondel Park and Leidse Plein, one room price indications are: € 40,00 - € 70,00

Slightly more upmarket, and situated in one of my favourite areas of Amsterdam:

Bed & Breakfast Amsterdam: Bibies BB


Bibies Bed and Breakfast
Frans Halsstraat 30
E-mail: bibiesbb@hotmail.com
Tel. 0031-65242 8245

Rooms: € 70,00 - € 100,00

I haven't found a good one in the city centre that I dare to post here for scrutiny.

Let's hash out further details in the comments.

Display:
Amsterdam Mini-ET | 51 comments (51 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 1)
DAMN!! I would love to come to this, plus meet you too, Nomad - but will just be coming back from Greece. So maybe this is a first of a few? We have done Paris a number of times, why not Amsterdam???

"Once in awhile we get shown the light, in the strangest of places, if we look at it right" - Hunter/Garcia
by whataboutbob on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 10:41:46 AM EST
Why not? (none / 0)
Market fundamentalism teaches us that competition gives the best experience and service for the least money. :)

Would've loved to "have" you in Amsterdam!

by Nomad (Bjinse) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 04:34:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
I'm still on for this. I was thinking along the lines of rolling in on Fri. afternoon/evening, and rolling out on Sat. evening.

The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman
by dvx (dvx.clt ät gmail dotcom) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 10:54:22 AM EST
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
I normally can't make Fridays due to work commitments but I might have made a Saturday meet...

There is a go tournament I might want to attend on May 9/10 in Madrid, though.

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 11:48:03 AM EST
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
Well Im trapped within the borders of the UK till a replacement passport turns up. so i'll have to pass on this.

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
by ceebs (ceebs (at) eurotrib (dot) com) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 12:18:51 PM EST
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
I cannot do Friday. I haven't checked but a kindly timed flight from city or Stansted and I could be in Amsterdam late evening for an early start Saturday, but likelihood is just the weekend.

It really depends upon flight availability.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 12:41:11 PM EST
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
You can do Eurostar to Brussels and then a train from Brussels to Amsterdam, too.

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 03:07:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
There are no London-Amsterdam trains ? that's sad, it would probably pick up some small market share at 5 hours...

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères
by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 03:39:40 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
There is no high-speed line between Brussels and Amsterdam. Otherwise you could probably do London-Amsterdam or Paris-Amsterdam in about 3h30.

The current fatest and earliest connection between London and Amsterdam on Saturday May 9 is

  • Eurostar: London St. Pancras 7:53 - 10:56 Brussels Midi
  • Intercity: Brussels Midi 11:15 - 14:06 Amsterdam Centraal
Gets you there just in time for lunch!

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 03:58:50 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
Actually, there is already a Thalys doing Paris-Amsterdam in just over 4h.

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 04:07:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
Which mean there could be a 5 hours Amsterdam London, which is nearly competitive for someone not doing the trip for a single day...

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères
by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 04:28:58 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
Air distance is 428km, so that means slightly over 100km/h.  High-speed?
by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 05:21:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
With several intermediate stops. For example:
Paris Nord 12:25
Bruxelles-Midi EST
Bruxelles-Midi 13:52
Antwerpen Centraal 14:34
Roosendaal(Gr)
Rotterdam Centraal
Den Haag HS 15:58
Schiphol (Airport)
Amsterdam Centraal 16:36
The first leg, 1h27 to Brussels, is "true" high-speed.

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 05:28:04 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
Does it really stop at Roosendaal, or is that just where it crosses the border? I thought Roosendaal was the place you only got off at when the Belgian trains were on strike....
by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 05:31:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
I believe "(Gr)" must mean Grenze (border) then. Before Schengen it would certainly have stopped and it is possible that it would still stop there.

Schengen or no Schengen, I've had my passport checked by French border police on every train I've taken between Spain and France...

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 05:33:33 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (4.00 / 2)
Schengen or not, the French police regularly arrests Moroccans going through France by bus to Morocco (who thus have no French papers), rounds them up and later sends them by plane to their country. At first they didn't let them keep their luggage ; after a Canard Enchainé piece about that, they let them keep it ; but they had to pay the air company the air fare for 100+ kgs of luggage if they wanted to keep it !

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères
by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 05:45:01 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
Why?

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 07:17:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 1)
Because Sarkozy requests that the Ministère de l'Identité Nationale, de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration throws out of the country 27,000 people a years. Because that's actually quite a high figure and hard to reach. Because Sarkozy wants the racist voters to keep voting for him.

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères
by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 07:40:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
Taking people legally in transit out of busses and flying them is a very expensive way to meet quotas.

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 07:55:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
But it's probably cheap politically... none of this messy due process crap.

The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman
by dvx (dvx.clt ät gmail dotcom) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 07:59:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
Well, there's an economy to kickstart. Isn't State spending good now ? and that's money that isn't going to leftist public employees such as teachers.

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères
by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 08:10:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (4.00 / 2)
The Italians used to do that regularly at Brennero, but it seems to happen less frequently these days. Maybe the police are the only people who think the train no longer stops at Brennero, as the timetable for this year indicates. But they didn't just get a lot of engines that can run on both AC and DC. No, they still stop for 15 minutes to change the engine, just as before, and the schedule change seems to only mean that you must have an international ticket for the journey. "Seems" because in practice nothing seems to have changed even there,
by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 06:08:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 1)
But they didn't just get a lot of engines that can run on both AC and DC. No, they still stop for 15 minutes to change the engine

There are two DC/AC types. ÖBB class 1822 from the nineties was more or less a technical failure (lots of breakdowns, not enough power); the through train ambition was given up after a few years. The new ÖBB class 1216 (also "Taurus 3") would in theory be perfect, but Italian authorities have drawn out the certification process for higher speeds on DC lines. (Italy is introducing a new train control and signalling system.) Simple technical issues might be the reason, but blind protectionism, too.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 07:19:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
...I should add that there are a couple of other AC/DC locos using the Brenner route, but all of these are active in freight service. One special case is the FS E.412, whih in theory would be suited for 200 km/h traffic, but the whole class was given to Trenitalia Cargo. One of the idiocies of splitting up former state railways into passenger, express and freight divisions...

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 07:36:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
And 2h45 for 170kms, which sounds particularly low speed !

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères
by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 05:33:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
With one stop every half hour the train can barely get up to speed before slowing down again.

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 05:35:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
And probably never goes very fast if the rail line isn't set up for it. Half an hour between stops is plenty of time to reach top speed on a normal line...

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères
by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 05:42:19 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (4.00 / 2)
The high-speed track in the Netherlands to Antwerp in Belgium is ready, but the opening has been postponed due to ERTMS issues.
by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 05:43:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
so far a return flight will cost me somewhere between €130 - 170. That's probably not even one way on the train.

I'm time and cost constrained in a way you are not.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 01:53:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
I got my dates mixed up, sorry for that! I can come on the 9th but not on the 8th. I guess the 9th works out better for most people anyway?
by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 01:33:25 PM EST
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
It works for me. Maybe edit the diary?

The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman
by dvx (dvx.clt ät gmail dotcom) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 01:48:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
I'll leave that to nomad

I once lived on the 2e Helmersstraat, by the way. 3 months or so, but still.

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 01:50:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Done (none / 0)
Best date now indeed seems Saturday May 9, to give breathing space to Helen and nanne (and possibly Mig although I would feel if he'd forsake go).

Looks like ceebs is a prisoner within the bureaucratic contraptions of his own country. I'm sure he and Cyrille will bond.

by Nomad (Bjinse) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 04:13:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Done (none / 0)
Aha... anyone up for a day program?
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 04:18:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Sure (none / 0)
I can.
by Nomad (Bjinse) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 04:23:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Sure (none / 0)
I may be in for an afternoon programme, depending.
by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 04:33:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Done (none / 0)
probably.

The fact is that what we're experiencing right now is a top-down disaster. -Paul Krugman
by dvx (dvx.clt ät gmail dotcom) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 02:57:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Done (none / 0)
Life is full of choices... I would have to do this...

EuroNight: Madrid-Chamartin 19:00 - 08:27 Paris Austerlitz
Thalys: Paris Nord 10:25 - 14:36  Amsterdam Centraal

coming back 24h later and arriving in Madrid at 8am on a working Monday...

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 08:43:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]
You are (none / 1)
a madman. Breakfast in Paris, dinner in Amsterdam.

Migeru, the man of international cuisine. We should find you a go board if this is happening!

by Nomad (Bjinse) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 04:33:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: You are (none / 0)
I don't think it's realistic...

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 04:36:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
8th or 9th works for me still (seems 9th is the new leader?)

No matter what, I'll probably roll up Friday afternoon and leave either on Sunday evening or Monday morning depending on travel options.

by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 03:43:36 PM EST
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
Wish I could make it - but they way it looks I will have to be busy with some stuff for work.
by Fran on Wed Apr 8th, 2009 at 04:21:04 PM EST
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 1)
HAAAA!!! looks like I might be able to make too. Just found a e-mail in my mailbox with a change for the schedule of a projekt.

Now I have to figure out how to get there. So far flying looks the easiest and fastest.

by Fran on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 11:40:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
I'm likely to be in negotiations in Amsterdam the week before and/or after, so it's possible I can make it.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 08:22:58 AM EST
Neat! (none / 0)
I'll hope that'll work out. Would be nice.
by Nomad (Bjinse) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 04:31:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 1)
I can come.

Money is a sign of Poverty - Culture Saying
by RogueTrooper on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 11:13:19 AM EST
Nice! (none / 0)
Would be cool to meet!
by Nomad (Bjinse) on Thu Apr 9th, 2009 at 04:34:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
Question: is there a meeting place and time? - probably you set one, but seemed to have missed it.

"Once in awhile we get shown the light, in the strangest of places, if we look at it right" - Hunter/Garcia
by whataboutbob on Fri Apr 10th, 2009 at 07:08:51 AM EST
So far (none / 0)
The date of converging in Amsterdam is now proposed Saturday May 9, and dinner in the evening with everyone who's coming. No place is (yet) decided for dinner, but the ballpark time is 19:30 on the Saturday evening.

May 9 seems to work out for a nice group, so I'll follow up with another diary with a list of people coming, and I'll also scout for a good place to eat. Some of us might meet earlier on the Saturday for a day programme but that's still tentative.

by Nomad (Bjinse) on Sat Apr 11th, 2009 at 06:43:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Amsterdam Mini-ET (none / 0)
Where are we meeting on Saturday? and at what time?

Money is a sign of Poverty - Culture Saying
by RogueTrooper on Wed May 6th, 2009 at 07:17:55 AM EST
Amsterdam (none / 0)
I'll post up details in another diary, probably tomorrow evening (Thursday).
by Nomad (Bjinse) on Wed May 6th, 2009 at 03:06:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Amsterdam Mini-ET | 51 comments (51 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)


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