Jono
We were awoken again by the maid announcing breakfast. but it was almost 10 when we dragged ourselves down for more coffee and rolls. Jeff was having his ear chewed off by a speed-freak German tourist. We made sandwiches for the train ride. We packed our gear and checked out, returning to the station wiser and more familiar with Amsterdam as an entity. However, we checked out at 11:00 but missed the hourly 11:22 train and had to wait until 12:22. Oh well, the gear was heavy but manageable. We wandered around the station and took photos. Then we boarded our train and said goodbye to Amsterdam.

Although we planned to call Marlene from the Antwerp connection, I couldn't figure out the phones and didn't want to bother with purchasing a phone card, I knew we only had a few minutes between trains. So we called Marlene from a pay phone in Herentals. She was busy shopping and had to pick up her daughter but she would meet us in 30 minutes. While waiting, I noticed that the train station also hosted a fleet of buses idling conveniently next door. I found a route that had Lichtaart on it. This could be handy! Marlene drove us back and we relaxed, freshening up, waiting for Gert to pick us up at 7pm for a show in St. Niklaas, near Ghent. It didn't look too promising club-wise, it definitely falls into the 'pub' category as opposed to the 'concert halls' we had also performed at. But we went off to dinner with Gert at some dutch place with fairly inexpensive food (I never saw the bill but I glanced at the menu). We returned to discover the pub pretty full with a good mixed crowd. It was a pretty old Belgian pub serving trappist Belgian ales in their unique glasses and we rocked.

St. Nicklkaas
Our set has become numbingly familiar. There were some drunk guys dancing and harassing some women but aside from that the crowd was rather receptive. I met some fellows after the set who played in a local surf band, the Broncos. They hadn't been playing long but thought they would come see us. I introduced them to Gert, who I thought might want to meet them and vice versa (It is in his best interests to know all of the local talent). I prayed this wasn't one of those faux pas moments where they already know one another and detest each other - you never know! and we sold and signed CDs.

After getting our balance of free drinks in unopened trappist ales, we returned home. Jeremy and I decided to put posters up for the Thursday (donderdag) show in Turnhout at the Leeouw. But it was closed. Just as well, I wasn't into partying that night much more, I just wanted a little sleep.

Jeremy Benelux tour notes day 7 St Niklass
The day began in Amsterdam with the bells of Oudenkirke waking us in time for the hotel's included breakfast: Hard boiled eggs, salami, cheese, rolls, cereal, coffee, juice...a decent spread and all you could eat. I made a couple sandwiches for the train trip.

We left at 12:30 and did the return trip with the same transfer in Antwerpen, Belgium, arriving in Herentals exactly 3 hrs after leaving Amsterdam. On the train, we chatted w/a German fellow who works on cruise ships. After the train trip, Marleen picked us up and we went home. Gert got us a few hrs later and it was off to:

St. Nicklaas
Grand Cafe Hemelrijk in St Niklaas is a cool place. Dark wood, Belgian beers of all sorts. Not too big, 30 ft x 75 ft main room w/ pool table in back. Raised 6 inch stage in front window, which slid open for easy load ins...cool. Sidewalk to stage in two seconds. Another beautiful meal at a local restaurant. Exuberant show with some rough spots easily recovered from. Great crowd who cheered loudly and also heckled us a bit for being from SF. We told 'em gay means cheerful, too....and rocked their asses. In thanks, they bought some t-shirts and cd's and asked for autographs. Another killer show.

Thursday the lads are going sightseeing in Brugge (fairy tale castles, narrow streets, etc) but I'm too tired from all the walking and other activities in Amsterdam to do another day on the train. Looking forward to sleeping in and then cycling around Lichtaart by myself tomorrow.