Texel (pronounced tes-sel)

I have this trusty mammoth sized Lonely Planet guide, called Europe on a Shoestring. It made a recommendation to take some time off the beaten path and head out to an island where there is a national forest, seal rescue, and a place where just the Dutch know about and go on holiday to. Texel is about an hour north of Amsterdam. A train ride, a bus ride to the ferry, a ferry ride, and bus ride when on the island. This all sounds wonderful right? Well, it would of been wonderful if I would of secured a hostel reservation before leaving for this island. I was unable to contact the only hostel on the island by phone before leaving so I just sent them and email and took off.

I arrived at the StayOkay on Texel to hear they are completely full. I started begging, but the girl didn't really care. I don't think she realized what kind of situation she was putting me into. Once hearing this news I had the option of either turning around and heading right back to Amsterdam to get a hostel there without seeing any of Texel, or I could start walking around this island looking for a hotel for at least 100 euro if I did indeed find one if available. One of the hotels I walked in, Den Burge Hotel, and found a friendly face while I was in stress out mode. I met Sarah, she began calling around to any available option on the island because her hotel was full. After a good half hour of calling trying to find something, her final resort was sending me to De Koog, a costal vacation host spot on the island. She said there people have these wooden shacks on the beach they store their stuff in, and I could maybe break into one. I asked for a beer. She gave me one on the house and sent me on my way.

I arrived in De Koog, decided it probably wouldn't be the best idea to break into a shack. So, I decided to jump into the ocean for an hour and forget about the conundrum before me. The water was wonderful! After the swim I headed into De Koog for some dinner and a local brew, that I believe was brewed somewhere on the island. I headed back to the coast, watched the sunset, I then walked down the shore and found the most secluded spot up on the dune I could find and curl up with what layers I had. (Sorry mom, I survived, I am still alive, don't worry). I had a rough time getting to sleep eventhough I had almost walked most of the island earlier that day. The coldness, wind , and dampness set in. I think I got in about an hour of sleep at this point. I then head voices and they started heading towards me. It was three quite drunk Dutch guys camping. I asked them to speak English and tried to explain what I was doing there. They just laughed at me. They invited me back to there campsite to sleep there, but it was 4am and I had almost gotten through the night, besides I don't know if they were even going to be able to find their campsite in the state they were in.

So, I survived the night. I got back into Amsterdam this morning. I went to the Heniken Experience, the only "museum" you will leave buzzed. I am staying at Shelter City, which is the sister hostel to Shelter Jordan that I stayed in on Tuesday.

More to come...

JOEL