hostels

Currently at an Internet Cafe on the bank of a canal in Utrecht. Amazingly beautiful city with its canals, cobbled streets and shops. There is very little motor vehicle action on the streets, just cyclists and pedestrians. Although I can't understand the people I overhear, the tone of their speech leads me to believe they are a relatively cheerful bunch. At the train station I booked my ticket for Tuesday's high speed rail trip from Rotterdam to Paris where the representative spoke great English, as did the gentleman who got me a McChicken at McDonalds here in Utrecht.
The train from Amsterdam cost 6 euro and took about 40 minutes. The effiency of the service is remarkable. The infrastructure of the whole country is impressive, but when I consider the population density of the country I shouldn't dwell on it's superiority to Canada's.
Regarding hostels, I've found the "party atmosphere" which I wasn't really looking forward to, to be absent. At the two hostels I've stayed at so far, it seems sleep is predominant purpose of staying at a hostel. Last night 4 of the 5 other people in my room were asleep at 8PM, and at 7:30 this morning still weren't awake.
On food, I had some great beef shawarma in Amsterdam last night at Mamas just down the street from the hostel.

Yesterday I ended up sleeping for most of the afternoon, getting back in sync. Skype has been working fabulously for communications. I'm staying at the Astor Museum hostel. Has a lot of character, seems clean enough, and is right across the street from the British Museum. This morning I walked to Piccadilly Circus, and finally found some restaurants. Too many in fact. The Theatre district around Piccadilly Circus reminds me quite a bit of Times Square in New York. At an internet cafe on Charing Cross right beside the Astoria, where I will be seeing Broken Social Scene tonight. Might try the London Zoo this afternoon, Amsterdam tomorrow.
Overall the English don't seem to be as they are portrayed. They don't seem plain and boring. They do seem very friendly and I appreciate their use of "please" and "thank you".