Good things come in pairs perhaps :>
On my second business trip to Amsterdam in the past 3 weeks, I had a different but equally “memorable” experience like the first time. This time I arrived safely in Amsterdam (instead of Rotterdam last time). I had the very good “fortune” to stay at a hotel next to a night club and I would hear as well as FEEL (from the walls) of the music till 1 am (or whenever it was). Not to mention that there was NO window in my room at a so-called Waterfront Hotel (I think the name Prison Break hotel may be a better fit). I spoke to the hotel manager and he said the hotel was fully booked.
To save the “best” for last. My return flight to London was at 7pm. I left the office at 5:15pm. After arriving at the tram station, I realized that I had left my mobile phone in the office. I rushed back and the reception was gone (Did I say it was after 5pm?). I ended up asking a “friendly-looking” stranger in the building to let me enter the 2nd floor (security access by employee badges only) after waiting in front of the elevator for 5 minutes. I knocked heavily at the door and finally my colleague opened the office door.
After “reuinted” with my mobile phone, I jumped on the tram to the train station for the train to the airport. Unfortunately, it was stuck in a traffic jam (5:40pm). The tram driver finally opened the door to let a pretty young lady off the tram between stations, I managed to rush out after her with the door closing against my elbows. I then dashed to the train station in 5 minutes completely disoriented. I grabbed a station staff who was chatting with his colleague and asked for the train to the Schiphol airport. Afterwards, I ran to the platform and asked another staff who was “chilling out” at the platform to confirm the train. He said yes but it will leave at 6:10pm (current time was 5:50pm vs. the flight departure time of 7pm). I asked him if there was an EARLIER one, he pointed to other platform in a distance. I continued my “one-person running relay” and get on the train departing at 5:55pm. I arrived at the Schiphol airport at 6:10pm.
When I got to the boarding gate, I had 5 minutes to spare but ZERO time (I repeat zero time) to shop. Well, I was overjoyed that I made it.