European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 17, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Seeing Holland with itt at left the typical View of Holland in Spring. Below a Mother and daughter take a break during their visit to the Keuken Hof Tulip gardens. Stripes photo Wendy Bourland by Wendy Bourland staff writer Here i am shivering in the Midnight cold standing next to the Cambrai Fritsch dispensary waiting for the tour bus to arrive. It May be Spring and time for the annual viewing of the tulips of Holland but it certainly does t feel like it in the wee hours of the morning. The tour offered by the information Tours and travel itt with branches at several military installations leaves the Darmstadt area at around Midnight and the buses will Stop at other pick up Points if there Are other passengers to collect in this Case Abrams. The bus travels All night and arrives in Amsterdam around 6 30 . Those who have the ability to sleep on a bus Are highly encouraged to do so the touring begins shortly after a Quick Continental breakfast upon arrival in Amsterdam. It was easy to distinguish the tour veterans from the beginners the vets were armed with Small pillows suitable for propping against bus windows were draped in Small blankets and snacked on fruit to stave off hunger during the night. By the time we arrived in Amsterdam i was groggy with exhaustion but perked up at the thought of breakfast. We parked in a designated area next to the canal boats and were shepherded across the Street by the three tour guides into a Small restaurant a few paces Down a narrow Alley. We were served plates of sliced cheese and Ham hard boiled eggs Toast Coffee and milk. Orange juice was extra at 2.75 guilders or just under $1 per Glass. After a reasonable amount of time to eat we never had to Rush throughout the Davit was Back across the Street to the canal boats for our floating tour of the City. Later an itt tour guide., a Holland native informed us that we had eaten in the red Light District. Her explanation was unnecessary. All one had to to is look up and read such signs As sex museum to get the idea. It was Windy overcast and cold when we boarded the boat so the Glass Walls of the boat were Welcome. The tour was Boring unless 17th and 18th-Century architecture is a personal turn on though it gives a Good idea of How important canals Are to the livelihood of the dutch. By the time we hit the Road for Amstelveen 9 Kilometres away the Sun was peeking out and the journey offered views of the Countryside away from Amsterdam for those who weren t dozing. A Young Man held up a Block of Wood slightly o stripes Magazine april 17,1986