 1. Traveling with Moritz aboard
the airplane
When I made flight reservations from San Francisco to
Amsterdam (10 1/2 hours), I was told Moritz could come
aboard with me as he was a therapy dog. Northwest
airlines handles the reservations although it is a KLM
flight. I was dubious and checked a few times if this
were true, including going to the airport a few days
before departure. We were told it was unusual but was
OK.
Briefly, this is the story.
We arrive at the airport at 1:30 PM for a 4 o'clock
flight. We go to the counter, I have a sportcoat and
look rich and proper, Moritz is groomed and half the
line stops to pet him. The counter person looks over the
reservation and says "excuse me" and heads back to the
office, returning with a scroll of communications since
day one. Says I was told he could not come aboard. I
say, "Check with KLM."
 They say, "Yes...one minute"...30 minutes later thay say
I need a kennel and must be be back at 3 o'clock or no
go. Iris, my friend, drives hellbent for leather to the
Petco, we buy a kennel (giant), we rush back, and by now
I look dishevelled. Now the crew and the manager have
arrived. Out comes the manager for Northwest Airlines
and nerviously says they have to call Amsterdam. She
needs approval from above. On and on this goes - it is
now 5 minutes before 4 PM. She comes out and says,
"Amsterdam says yes but only in the kennel and he must
go NOW - the flight is leaving."
I stuff Moritz in the kennel after hugging him and
asking his forgiveness and off he goes and off I go with
an excort flying through security and running to the
gate. The ramp has been pulled back from the plane and
the supervisor can't believe it. She corrects the
problem and at 4:20 the pilot apologizes to all aboard
for the late departure. I sink into my seat, sweating,
panting, bewildered, and ring the call button. An
attractive stewartess presents herself and I ask her,
"Be sure Moritz is aboard." She looks at me and says,
"Do not worry, what can I get you?" I sputter, "I'm in
your hands - anything you like." She brings water, puts
me in a seat next to two empty seats, and says "Lie down
if you like."
 When we arrive I am met by 2 KLM employess from the
paramedic unit. I ask, "What's happened to Moritz?" They
calmly reply, "He is fine. We want to ask you some
questions. How did mix-up occur? Your situation has gone
all the to the top of KLM."
Moritz is first off the plane and I tell them the story.
We laugh and they give me a number to call for the
return. They admit that Northwest/KLM communications are
not very good.
Meanwhile, the kennel is in a storage room at the
airport as it was way bigger than the car that picks me
up. It is still there as the train to the airport is
under construction.
 2. Kum Nye - Tibetan Yoga
In Amsterdam, Moritz attended a Kum Nye - Tibetan Yoga -
class....seems to have worked well.
3. Bicycles
Most mornings around 8 o'clock, Moritz and I walk to
Vondel park in Amsterdam. It's a bit like Central Park
in New York City...with a major difference... the
traffic is only bicycles. A stream of cycling traffic
arises through the damp and chilly air of sunrise; all
ages pumping away, often with children on the back and
front, in boxes, in seats, on the frames...in what
appears to be the bicycle equivalent of Rome at rush
hour. It reminds me of physics with atoms, protons,
neutrons, quarks randomly shooting off in all
directions, yet there is a rhythm to the movement; one
can hear amongst the rattling, clanking, whining,
clicking, ring-a-ding-a-dings a jazz-like composition.
It's compelling.
 You can hardly believe your eyes; bikes of all colours,
little ones big ones, mostly old fashioned fendered
bikes with fat and narrow tires and few gears, (good
bikes are stolen) ride past with people of all
nationalities and colour, each with the freshness of
exercise on their face, few look sad, depressed or
tense, rather the exertion and concentration seems to
have lightened their mental loads. A natural, wholesome
quality, alert and balanced, prevails. The parade has
those with ear phones, cell phones, ear muffs, scarves
of red, blue, orange, yellow, prints, scarves of silk,
wool, polyester, hemp... caps, hats, hoods, headbands,
no helmets and hatless with hair blowing, gloves, saddle
bags, backpacks, purses, briefcases, messenger bags,
wire and woven baskets, musical instruments, plants,
children, dogs in boxes, boxes with children and their
dogs, singers, hummers, coughers, sneezers, huffers and
puffers, well dressed women with stockings and high
heeled shoes, well dressed men on their way to work, and
a few looking as if they were up all night, peddling
homeward. Randomly the next bike appears, no telling who
is coming around the
 bend ... could be a child with his
or her father's hands on her back gently being pushed
along up the hill, a mother with her child sitting
behind a windshield in front of her looking wide eyed in
all directions, a middle aged woman holding the leash as
her dog runs beside her, teenagers riding side by side
talking and laughing. No one stops his or her bike, as
if stopping were not allowed, it would be disruptive; it
would stop the flow that is so vital and healthy.
In the background, tall, leafless trees are silhouetted
against the pink morning sky. The sun touches the church
steeple clock and the gold leafed dials illuminate the
time of day, but for now, few seem to notice.
It is a joyful spirited scene of humanity flowing
timelessly with neither beginning nor end.
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