Travel Day! In between

May 14, 2024

Travel Day! In between

This is going to be a short and probably not very exciting blog post haha. I don't have very many pictures or things to report unfortunately. I'll just do a photo dump at the end.

We left Amsterdam bright and early by getting on a bus where we loaded up our luggage. The bus then took us to the Hague and dropped us off, because our flight wasn't until 7pm so we had plans for the day. We sat outside of the building where Greta Gerwig staged a climate protest and talked about all things Europe.

Then we walked half an hour to what I think is one of the largest open air markets in Europe. I wasn't super impressed at first because it was mostly knock off clothes with a few fruit stands and then just a couple food places from what we could tell. So Mckinley and I went to an Albert Heijn nearby, got food, went to the check out, only to find out that they don't accept Visa, Amex, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express. What do they accept? I have no idea, but the worker didn't speak great English and we didn't really have time to go find an ATM so we had to abandon our groceries. Tragic. We ended up stopping at Halal Fried Chicken (ahahaha) and got some kids meals there which came with some super fun little bracelet kits. But THEN we went back to the market and apparently there was a whole other section with a bunch of food places that were super cheap and had some things that looked really good. I was a little bit upset at myself then, but you live and you learn.

Our next plan for the day was to go to the International Criminal Court. We got to learn about the types of trials they have there, why the court was created, and what crimes can get you sent there. Then we got to go to the public viewing room and watch the trial of Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona who are some very terrible people if the charges being brought against them are true. Charges include: widespread attack against Muslim civilian population, war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture, civilian attacks, use of child soldiers, deportation, imprisonment, rape, and pillaging. So yeah. Their trial was opened in 2019, opening statements were made in 2021, and then the trial didn't continue until 2023. So that is interesting. Hopefully they are brought to justice and get what they deserve. We didn't get to see a ton of the trial because of our timing wasn't great and for part of the time it was a closed trial because there was a protected witness testifying, but we got to see some questioning which was interesting.

After the trial it was time to get back on the bus to head to the airport. For a little bit we were kind of scared that the bus driver had just run away with all of our stuff because we walked to one parking lot where he said he was and then he didn't come there. Then we walked to another spot and he wasn't there. And then we walked back the opposite direction, past the ICC again, and then finally found him in a parking lot. I think he was confused, but luckily not a thief!

Getting through the airport was actually such a breeze. We checked our bags, got through security in literally 2 minutes, and then got to our gate with plenty of time to spare. There was no way I was paying for airport food so I ate some chocolate and a fruit snack for dinner. Mmm nutritious! Our flight to Madrid went by fast so that was nice. It was really hot on the plane while we were on the ground and everybody was freaking out but I actually kind of liked it haha. Luckily for them the AC works in the air. I was supposed to have a middle seat, but the aisle seat next to me was open (I think because it was supposed to be for a guy that was supposed to come on our trip but ended up not being able to. RIP Nathan), so I got to sit in the aisle and just relax with plenty of space. It was so nice! We made it to Madrid, picked up our luggage, and made it to the hotel ahead of schedule!

We're now staying in a hotel not a hostel so I am excited. It seems really nice except for the elevator is like insanely tiny and looks like it might break down at any second. Me and Marie and our two carryon sized suitcases barely fit! Never fear, we still made it to our room, settled in, and then had a lovely night's sleep because we were so exhausted. Madrid is beautiful though and I'm so excited to be here!