[nagdu] Guide dogs and new routes.

[Ed Meskys]

In 1990 I travelled alone from my home in NH, USA, to a convention in den 
Haag, Nederland. Then the local bus stop was only400 m from my home (now it 
is 1.5 km), so I walked it. The bus takes 2.5 hours to travel the 80 km to 
Logan, airport, in Boston, MA. The bus driver let me off in front of the 
correct building, and I asked passerbys to the proper checkin desk, to 
security, and the proper gate. When we arrived in Amsterdam, I followed the 
crowd to baggage claim and customs. At customs I got directions to the 
railroad station, which (fortunately) was in the basement of the 
International Arrivals Building. While I do not speak Dutch, enough 
passerbys spoke English to help me buy a ticket and find the correct train 
to den Haag. I knew in advancce which tram I had to take, and asked 
directions to where by the railroad station I could find it. I asked the 
tram driver to let me off at the right stop, but he forgot and I had to walk 
back two blocks. Fortunately there were enough passerbys to help me find the 
right house number. I was to share a room in a pension with my wife and a 
friend, but they were not to arrive until the next day. Because of jet lag, 
I slept much and had some snacks in my luggage. The Pension included 
breakfast next morning. After my companions arrived (also not speaking 
Dutch) we went out to buy food. Next morning the convention started, and we 
travelled together each morning to the convention center, and to the pension 
each evening. When the convention ended my companions had to leave early in 
the morning to catch their . They had to change planes in London, and I flew 
direct, so we arrived together in Boston, and travelled home together.

I was only able to do this because the Dutch people were very friendly and 
helpful, and at least a third spoke English.

I fly alone here in the US at least once a year to the NFB convention, in 
different cities, and do get by by asking frequent questions.

Ed Meskys