"Well boys, welcome to Amsterdam!" Nancy spread out her arms gesturing to the bustling train station.
Joe yawned, Frank gave a low whistle, and Ned smiled.
"I can't believe you guys actually kidnapped me and took me across the world for Spring Break."
"That's exactly what friends are for. Stopping you from spending your break studying for finals and bring you to the red light district." Joe replied with a sleepy smirk. The moment he had buckled his seat-belt on the plane he had passed out, and had only just woken up.
Nancy grabbed her rolling suitcase and starting walking towards the front doors. "The hostel shouldn't be too far away. The map said it was in walking distance." she told the others, taking a moment to orient herself.
As they moved through the crowds Nancy remembered the look on Ned's face when they had appeared outside his window. Priceless. She had even warned him in her last letter, right after solving the Labyrinth of Lies case.
Walking down the narrow cobblestone streets Nancy was surprised to see lots and lots of bikes. Bikes zoomed down the road apparently ignoring what Nancy thought was the bike lane, they lined the street taking over most of the sidewalk, and in the distance Nancy saw a parking building full of bikes.
"Wow, either their streets are too narrow for cars or they just really love bikes." Joe remarked the obvious.
Nancy rolled her eyes playfully. Stating the obvious was one of Joe's favorite hobbies. Besides solving mysteries for the Network.
"Maybe it's an economical thing?" Ned suggested, as they continued along.
"Or it could be a health thing." Frank added.
"Or maybe it's a space thing." Nancy joined in looking at how the building seemed crammed together. There wasn't even a gap between any of the buildings. It was as if they had taken a bunch of very different buildings and smashed them all together to create a building sandwich. The effect was pleasant, in a charming, old-fashioned, some of the building appeared to be leaning forward kind of way.
Finally they found their hostel squished between an Indian food take out place and a cafe.
"Remember, the cafe does not serve coffee here." Frank reminded them as they passed the store window filled with gaudy beads and feathers.
"I don't think that's going to be an issue here." Ned replied truthfully.
Nancy had to agree, it didn't look anything like an coffee shop to her. She sneezed violently, smelling the heavy essence that wafted from the suspicious store. "Let's go check in." she suggested finally.
They walked into the building labeled "De Vriend Hostel" in big black block letters against the construction orange sign. The hallway was dim and narrow, forcing Nancy and friends to walk in a single file line.
"Hallo." a friendly young man with a cheerful grin and two prominent dimples greeted them. "Ik spreek Netherlands?"
Nancy who had ended up in the front of the line smiled back politely. She had traveled so much over the past few years, that she knew exactly what he was asking. Not that translating it was so difficult in the first place. "No. We're," she gestured to the four of them who seemed to be taking up the whole lobby area. "from the United States."
"Ah! Americans!" The man sounded overly enthusiastic now, and his coal dark eyes glittered with excitement. "I love Americans! Where in America are you from?"
"I'm from a town called River Heights."
The man's grin sunk a little. "Not, New York? Or LA?"
"Sorry."
The man gave a small shrug. "That's okay. One day, I will save up enough money and go to LA and see Hollywood."
"Great. Have fun with that." Ned had maneuvered his way over to the counter. "We're here to check in? Reservations for four? Nancy Drew?"
The man looked over at his computer monitor, cocoa colored fingers clicking away. "Nancy... Drew?" he echoed, squinting a bit.
"That's me." Nancy replied eagerly.
"Ah. Beds for four. Three in the men's room and one in the lady's. If you'll just insert your paying card." He laid a card reading machine on the counter where she could reach.
Nancy took out her international credit card and inserted the side with the European standard chip into the machine. A couple of buttons being pushed and room keys being distributed later, they were all set.
"Welcome to Amsterdam, Nancy Drew and friends." Their host waved as they made their way back through the narrow hallway towards their rooms.
Author's Chapter Note: Hello, thanks for reading! I just wanted to let you know a few things as we begin the story together:
1. I don't own Nancy Drew games/books/or/characters. I just love her.
2. While I do find writing enjoyable, and wish I had time to update this regularly. I don't. I am a full time student in University, and that has to be my top priority. That and surviving. :) But, I'll do what I can to keep this story going.
3. I don't know Dutch. My Dutch will be coming from google translate, so I apologize ahead of time if it's wrong. However, I have visited Amsterdam and a lot of my descriptions and experiences will be coming from my time there, and pictures I took while I was there.
And lastly,
4. I want to become a better writer. And the only way to do that is by by writing. I appreciate both positive and constructive comments. However, I will be ignoring trolls.
Thanks again! And enjoy!