Amsterdam - Day 3 - EPR 2016 Starts

This morning was the registration right after breakfast where we checked in and received all of our goodies.  We received a new EPR jean shirt, backpack, stickers, pins, postcards, and a new patch and EPR pin for my vest.  Pictures were taken in front of the EPR designed backdrop and we got all our bikes.  This year I have a Street Glide with 175 km on it in Denim Blue.  A little scratch was recorded for information at the end of the ride.  

This afternoon at 1:00 there was a walking tour through Amsterdam where we saw the first Catholic Church which later was taken over by the Protesants.  We were told about the orphanages and the woman's only residence over 100 years ago.  No not that kind of residence people these places did not allow men in and if there were male visitors then the door always had to be open.  

We walked through the red light district on the walking tour and entered through the skinniest alley (only 1 meter wide).  Both sides were window displays of bikini clad woman for hire.  At the end of the alley we came out next door to the First every Bull Dog Cafe where there were stories about how they got their name.  "Years ago before it was legal to sell drugs for personal use it was illegal to sell drugs.  The boss was downstairs in the basement of these buildings and if they were raided by police the staff at the bar dropped an orange through the floor boards and it would land on the boss's desk.  Once the orange landed there the boss then would take the drug stash and place it under a very aggressive bull dog for safe keeping so the police would never find it as they were too afraid of the bull dog."  Interesting isn't it?  

Tonight there was a presentation by the Posse Team and they were all dressed in Viking costumes.  They went over the rules and explained the 2nd man drop system and introduced the team.  Supper tonight was three courses, salads and smoked meat and salmon, then a variety of dishes - lasagna, chicken, beef, scalloped potatoes and vegetables.  Dessert was fruits, cheeses and different cakes.  After supper a few of us - Connie, Ken, Nancy, Kim and I went back down to the red light district as Connie wanted to go see it as she had missed it.  So basically we did the same tour but explored the Bull Dog Cafe a little more closer and we actually saw an orange downstairs!!

Tomorrow we are off on the bikes finally and head to Germany!