Le Vieille Orange

 

After our midnight flight down the freezing Sienne River, our revolutionary friends helped taxi us away to a safe train station.  We were early enough that we had time for the Five Guys in our party to get hamburgers, fries, and sodas at the Cinq Mecs (Five Guys) restaurant in the train station.  While our starving bellies were being filled, I snuck away to order a venti Cafe Noir (Large Black Coffee) from the Starbucks in the station.   I ordered it in perfect French, and was then asked by the barista what my name was in perfect English.  I don't get it, but the French tour guide said it was because they saw it as a chance to practice their English.  I'll take what I can get, thought I suspect she may have just been being nice.

Luckily, the train was fancy.  It went super fast and had free wi-fi.  The Revolutionaries had research to do on who to connect with on our arrival in Amsterdam.  We intended to meet up with the Patriottentijid, a group of Revolutionaries in Amsterdam, who opposed the rule of Prince William V - The Prince of Orange.  We are from Florida.  We drink Orange Juice for breakfast!  

Prince William had also joined forces with the enemies of the French Revolution, and attacked the new French Republic in the War of the First Coalition.  Napoleon was able to first make a name for himself in this war protecting the French Republic.  

Our day was filled mostly with our spirited flight away from Paris in the dark of night, but after we met up with our compatriots in Amsterdam, we made fun of Le-Olde-Duke-O-Orange by making an effigy of him with our food.  

Tomorrow we start early and will be conspiring against the tulips and windmills at Keukenhof.