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I was invited as a Director to the Honeywell International Tournament in Amsterdam. The first evening I ran the international teams and Hans van Staveren ran the pairs for the press. Since he had a half-table he decided we would play, so I was directing my teams from a different room. They had to come and get me if necessary! I do not trust his scoring program - I am sure we did better than 44%!
At the end of the first day I was dropped at an Amsterdam pub at midnight to sit outside and wait for my host, Ronald Post. Very strange for one who is used to the nannyish English licensing laws. The stairs in Ronald's house were terrifying - they seemed to go straight up and I had to cling on.
The second night I was directed how to go back by tram by Els Witteveen, the third Director. I went to the tram she told me, it stopped, the doors opened - and there was a No Entry sign! Hurried to the next door - No Entry! Then to the next - No Entry! The doors shut, and off went the tram. Els might have told me you get on at the back!
On Monday I wanted to see the Netherlands, so I went to the railway station, and eventually found that the booking office handled enquiries.
On my journey out from England I purchased some Dutch money: this cost 5 English pounds [about US$ 6.50]. I was paid out there in Dutch money, which will not be valid after next February, so I had to transfer it back: this cost about 4.50 English pounds [about US$ 5.70]. The banks also transfer the money at different rates to suit themselves, so the total cost to me of all these transactions was probably nearer 14 English pounds [about US$ 18.30].
Of course, if all European states used the Euro, I would save this money, millions of other travellers in Europe would save themselves money, and the banks would starve.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BANK!
SAY NO TO THE EURO!
Editor's note:
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