Fear and trembling

Amsterdam - Day Four

This was the day! A day I’ve looked forward to with excitement and with fear and trembling. Today is the train ride to the Delft Pottery Factory and the workshop painting my own tiles.

But to get to Delft Pottery Factory, an hour south of Amsterdam I had to brave the unknown and conquer the Netherland’s train system.

The first hurdle was getting the ticket, which I had to purchase the day before. I had come home from the Ziderzee Museum excursion and was absolutely wiped out from all the walking. I went to Timothy, the world’s best concierge, at the hotel and asked him how I could go about getting a ticket.

But this means I have to go back to Day Two and tell you about the absolutely remarkable service this hotel has given me. After the first night I called Guest Services and asked if I could get a rubber bath mat for the slick shower floor, and a full size bath towel. Within minutes I got a call from the Manager. They didn’t have any rubber bath mats in stock but they’d have one for me tomorrow. Minutes later there was a knock on the door and housekeeping brought me, not just full size, but bath sheet size towels.

Then we get to yesterday. I had been struggling with the door which was so heavily sprung that I could barely force my way through. And the toilet was one that would have warmed the cockles of Andrea’s heart it was so low. I was surviving that, though, by using the door jam as a lever. But I went downstairs after I got back from the Museum (wiped out, remember?) and asked the Guest Services if there was something that could be done to reset the door closer. He consulted with the Manager, The maintenance st staff was off for the evening, but she and I trouped off to see about the door. Sure enough she could barely open it too, and after watching me struggle she suggested they change my room. Since I was changing anyway, I asked if Dewe (pronounced ‘Dave’) might have a handicap room. She said she’d check and be back shortly. Sure enough in just a few minutes, she and Timothy were at my door. She apologized that they didn’t have a room on the fifth floor (since I’d requested it) but she had blocked two on the seventh floor and I could have my choice. One had no view but a light door, and the other had a view and a heavier door (but still lighter than the one I had.) So she and Timothy gathered up my luggage and away we went. Sure enough, the rooms were just as she described. I chose the light door and no view.

Now back to the train ticket. Dewe, Timothy and I all went down together and I told him what I was trying to do. Showing him the tentative schedule I had, I told him I was concerned about the timing and could he check if there was something earlier that would allow me more time. He found a train that went straight to Delft with no changes. It left at 8:04. Would that do? Yes, but now I had to walk to the train station to buy the ticket. Normally a 5 to 10 minute walk for most people I knew it would take me at least 20 or 25 minutes over and the same back...and the ticket office was at the far end of an enormous terminal.

Sensing I was on the brink of exhaustion and considering cancelling the trip all together if I had to walk another hour to the train station and back, Dewe said, “We’re slow right now. Why doesn’t Timothy walk over to the station and get your ticket for you.” Can you imagine such service? “Why don't you go back to your room and Timothy will be back shortly.” Within twenty minutes there was a knock on the door and there stood Timothy, tickets in hand, and Dewe, to check if my room was acceptable. He not only had the ticket, but had printed out the schedule and told me how to find the right track to catch the train. And, yes, the room was beyond acceptable. (I’m sure it was not only handicapped equipped, but an upgrade as well.)

Now, finally, if you’ve hung in with me this long, I’m back to Day Four - the Delft Factory Tour and Workshop. With lots of prayers to Jesus and His angels for protection, and singing “Follow Me” under my breath I walked out of the door of the hotel.

To make sure I made the train in time, I left at 7:00. Sure enough, the platform was at the far end of the station (I just know there’s a computer that does that every time it sees my name) and, sure enough, it took me 25 minutes to get there. Having some time to spare I dropped in to ‘The Kiosk’ to get something for breakfast. Flavored water and grapes. The grapes were sour, so I went back for a sausage-something-or-other. It wasn’t much better. I’d have gone to the Burger King next door (you can see how desperate I was) but it wasn’t open yet.

When the train arrived I followed the herd into the coach. I don’t know how a person would handle it if they were completely handicapped and in a wheelchair. There were steep steps down to the lower level and steep steps up to the upper level of the car. I chose the former. Once again, exceptional courtesy. A young man held the door for me as I negotiated the stairs one at a time.

There were multiple stops before I got to Delft. I can now say I’ve been to The Hague. Didn’t see the Tribunal, but I’ve been to (or through) The Hague. With two alarms set, on on my iPhone alarm for 10 minutes before arrival time, and one on Google maps for the stop before, I tried to relax and enjoy the ride. Lots of luck on that! At every stop the train paused for a 60 second offloading and on-loading of passengers. (I timed it!) Everybody got up while the train was still moving and crowded to the door. Can you spell 'growing anxiety?'

At Delft, though, the train had a six minute layover so I was able to get off with no problems. Once again, the courtesy. A young woman held the door for me. Amazing.

At the station, after a €.50 WC break, I caught a cab to the Factory. It was about a 20 minute walk which meant about 45 minutes for me, so I took the easy way out. I’d tell you about the cab driver, an Afghanistani refugee fleeing the Taliban, but our conversation could be the subject of another whole blog. Bingo! Another spiritual encounter. Ask and you shall receive.

Since the cab ride took less than 10 minutes I arrived at the Factory early.

Factory? It was a three story house! Very unpretentious for a world famous century’s old pottery line. Even though I was early, they greeted me warmly and started my tour. I would be the only guest for the tour and so I could start the workshop early too.

After an explanation of the amazing and intricate process they go through to make the hand painted finished product (yes, each piece is still hand painted today) I got to paint two tiles. A very simple tulip (to them) to learn on and a tile of my own choosing. My admiration for the artists went through the roof as I struggled to replicate the pieces they put before me as guides. Again the process could be the subject of another whole blog.

I have always thought of Delftware as pretty, but boring, floral plates, bowls, etc. But they also do multicolor pottery (again, all painted by hand so each piece is unique even though it’s from [literally] a centuries old pattern) with such intricate detail it’s mind boggling.)

Mine will be a blue tile, painted in shades of all black cobalt and copper, which turns blue after firing. Ashook, my artist mentor, would occasionally help me when I was stuck (after showing me the process first) and with a few deft lines would transform my tile into a work of art. I did 95% of it, but that other 5%....whew!

I’ll get my tiles in about five weeks after they’ve been fired and shipped. Can’t wait to see what they look like.

After an uneventful train ride back to Amsterdam Centraal train station, I walked back to the hotel. A brief rest, and Timothy, the ultimate concierge, recommended “The Seafood Bar” for supper. A short Mercedes limousine cab ride and I had another fantastic meal.

Now I’ve spent the last four hours updating the blog. It’s after midnight so the spiritual reflections will have to wait till tomorrow. And they did...to see the summation of several days I've missed, click here.

If you’d like to see the picture from the day, click here.

Till then,

Blessings and peace!