Amsterdam March 15th

Since I was up early, I hit the continental breakfast while it was fresh. Yogurt, rolls and croissants, preserves, meats, cheeses, cereals... Nice simple breakfast.

I was out hunting caches by 9 AM. From the Dam I headed toward Rembrandt House and eventually found my way to the far end of Vondelpark. I found three geocaches while walking this small city.





For some reason, I didn't use the public transportation. Where the gps pointed, didn't appear to be where the trams were going. It didn't matter. It was a crystal clear day - not a cloud in the sky. Temperature was in the low 40's. Perfect for me to walk and not overheat. I figured that I walked over 5 miles during my first European hunt and I felt good. By the time I got back to the hotel, mid afternoon, I was feeling exhausted. I decided to take a nap and be ready for another night of cheap beer and crazy times.

When I woke up, it was dark outside. I was covered in sweat, my head was dripping like I had just stepped out of the shower. I felt like I was in a dream. It took a few minutes, but I realized that I was having a low blood sugar episode. I needed food.

I hadn't eaten anything while walking. I had water but no lunch. I didn't remember that my shower bag had emergency carbs in it. I threw on the clothes I wore earlier and made my way downstairs and outside. I started to feel weak. No time to waste. I turned left - there was a coffeeshop. In hindsight this is a good place to go. Fresh squeezed orange juice, chocolate milk, hot chocolate, sweet munchies, not to mention the contact high to calm me down.

I got to end of the alley and to my right were both Mcdonalds and Burger King. My legs felt like rubber and the sweat just kept flowing. I nearly fell as I walked into Burger King (BK Lounge as I affectionately call it). Ordered a chicken sandwich meal with a real coke. Lots of carbs in that potato, bread and sugar water meal.

As the cashier and I waited for the sandwich to come out of the frier and be coated in mayo, I remember thinking that I should ask him for the fries and drink - just to get something in me. I looked around and wondered what everyone thought about me. I must have looked like something out of a monster movie. This huge man, stumbling along, resting every few minutes, wiping sweat from his brow. How did I really look, in this state? My inner voice screamed, "HURRY!!"

Finally, he hands me the tray and I sit at the table closest to me. I nearly choked as I guzzled half of the soda. I stuffed a few fries in my mouth and chewed. In a few moments, my view of the world focused and I felt that the sweating had stopped. The ketchup on the fries tasted very sweet. I alternated the dipping of the fries (pomme frites) into the mayo and then ketchup and worked them one by one into my mouth. Mayo on fries? Sound crazy doesn't it? Try it. Its amazing how the various fats accomodate each other.

By the time I finished the meal - all of five minutes, I felt much better. A very close call. As I made my way out the door, I heard the cashier close and lock it behind me. I went back to my room to assess what just happened. It was 10:15 pm. I slept for over 6 hours. After a carb heavy meal, my blood sugar number was only 96. It should have been like 160. It was then that I realized that I had walked out and left my emergency carbs in the room. This was a bad thing. I could have passed out in the alley and found myself in the hospital or not have woken up at all.

I stripped, took a shower and laid down to catch my breath, before getting dressed and heading out. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep. I woke up at two am and laid there for a while before I decided to get dressed and head out for a walk.

As I walked past the BK Lounge, I though to myself:

"Long live the King. He saved my life, you know"






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