Newspaper PAGGS 2006, #6

Saturday 5 August. Day trip & AMSTERDAM




It is getting better. A dry morning. This day will be a big transport organisation to get 280 persons from Harderwijk to Amsterdam. But at 8.30 am 6 coaches are waiting near the campsite entrance. Every leader has a group of children to look after in Amsyerdam. An hour later we are dropped in the centre of Amsterdm next to the boat ambankment at the Rokin to make a CANAL trip ao about an hour. Watching the beautiful 17 th century houses and bridges of good old Amsterdam. Some saw different images, because they were sleeping in the warm sunshine Back at the embankment Rokin, the 280 children and leaders get maps with walking routes. They are free to explore the centre in groups with leaders for rendez vous and problems till 6 pm. Collection point in front of the Central station. The weather is fine. Sunny, hot. Uniforms, shoes dry up quick now. Every body got 5 Euro's to spend for food in the lunchtime. Every group has his own experience in Amsterdam. Most like shopping in the cheap shops (sales) in the Kalverstraat and side streets. Plenty of dutch food Patates frites, kroketten, frikandellen in the snackbars. Some look at the exotic carnaval parade on boats in the canals Lots of loud music and boats with exotic dressed up or undressed people, who make of lot of fun and are happy. Typical Amsterdam. Others do cultural and meet Rembrandt everywhere, because it is his 400 year jubilee. The over 18 can have look at the famous and safe red light area the Wallen around the Oude Kerk (old church). Amsterdam has it all. At 6 pm people come back loaded with bags of shopping. Guess what the bought??  Surprise is to get back to the coach to cross the river het IJ by public water ferry, de Pont to the overside ( only pedestrian, bikes and free) to Amsterdam Noord were the coaches are waiting. We are quick back in an hour at the campsite at 7 pm The menu is simple. Hotdogs and drinks. This evening arrives the only participant of France, Gagny, Rene Gounant He drove all alone from Paris to represent Franceat the Paggscamp. After shopping Amsterdam the english leaders Debbie, Jan, Selam are busy talking in a tent. Suddenly Jan screemes frightened. She shouts ä snake, a snake", there at the tent door"" In panic she gets a shoe to hit the snake. "do nt do that shout Debbei. It will bite you."But Jan is not stopping to hit the snake till he disappears out the tent door. She continues hitting on the canvas Then surprise, she is hitting the bump of leader Les. He was cheating the 3 big girls with a fake flexible snake on a string, that he bought in a shop today. What a releave, What a laugh. There is no time to loose, because all want quick to go to the disco, nice disco dressed. The disco becomes a great happy party in the building of subcamp Frans Hals, far away from neighbours in summer houses. to avoid noise complains. The floor of the scouthut, had to hold much jumping "dancers"" Outdoors are the others silent partying happy and make lots of international friendships. Nobody thinks of bedtime. Tomorrow , sunday is sleep in time till 9 am.

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