Ajax USA's 6th Annual Rendezvous in Amsterdam 2006

[ajaxusa]

OK, I have a problem... Flights are now very expensive, and combined with the fact that I just had to buy a car (mine was killed in the New Years Flood), I don't have much cash. Direct from SFO to AMS is around $900 at best...

Does anybody have any inside dope on how to get to A'dam on the cheap from the Left Coast of the USA? I'm open to creative solutions, like flying to/from NYC (I have a free flight on JetBlue and can get to JFK that way) and over to some other European city and taking a train, bus or cheap flight...

Suggestions?

[BPBlueSox]

600 bucks if you go from New York City according to Yahoo Farechase which I just did. There's 300 bucks saved right there...

Airplane tickets are quite expensive around then it seems...luckily I could get on with a student fare. :)

[Undertaker]

[quote="ajaxusa"]OK, I have a problem... Flights are now very expensive, and combined with the fact that I just had to buy a car (mine was killed in the New Years Flood), I don't have much cash. Direct from SFO to AMS is around $900 at best...

Does anybody have any inside dope on how to get to A'dam on the cheap from the Left Coast of the USA? I'm open to creative solutions, like flying to/from NYC (I have a free flight on JetBlue and can get to JFK that way) and over to some other European city and taking a train, bus or cheap flight...

Suggestions?[/quote]

usually flying from Boston (train from JFK) or New Jersey is cheaper than from JFK. Did you also try online bookers like ebookers.com or perhaps a Dutchy can check if Dutch operators offer better prices (and if not an e-ticket, fedex the tickets to you).

g'luck!

[Blind3]

I'll be sending my down payment shortly.

[ajaxusa]

Er, don't send any downpayments yet. We won't want them until we're ready to place the order, which will be in about a month to 5 weeks from now.

[ajaxusa]

Well, chaps. My flight is bought and paid for, so there's no turning back now. And my expectations for Ajax' performance are SO LOW that even an 0-4 loss to AZ wouldn't shock me like it did last year (to PSV).

And I'm not bringing either of the Board of Directors of Ajax USA, so poor play can't even make my children cry like it did last year. (Literally true.) So... what could possibly go wrong?

Somewhere in the back of my mind, Patrick O'Flaherty is calling my name...

"Jim... JIM! I've been kidnapped! They're taking the phone away!!!"

[DanK]

Well, chaps. My flight is bought and paid for, so there's no turning back now. And my expectations for Ajax' performance are SO LOW that even an 0-4 loss to AZ wouldn't shock me like it did last year (to PSV).

Excellent new Jim...I'm also paid up to for better or worse. Lets see if we can go one better than last year and only lose 0-3 if we are lucky. Hey, I would even be happy to see an ajax goal...that would make the trip worth while.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone and setting foot in the ArenA again...man I love that place.

[m BZ]

I am happy trip number six is planned and the April dates were selected. The moderator is right, flight costs are high. Fortunately I have 100,000 Delta miles for a feebie. The bad part it is Delta and they are barely hanging on in the airline business. If Delta fails, I am screwed. On the positive the weather should be a little better and two matches in a short period of time is a bonus. Looking forward to the what has become an annual adventure in Amsterdam.

[Blind3]

I'll be in Amsterdam by this time next week and will book the penthouse suite at the Hortus . Maybe it's like my fascination for watching a car wreck, but I'm now quite stoked for watching Ajax on my two trips in three months.April will be great...if USAir and my frequent flier miles don't go belly up. :xyxthumbs:

[DanK]

Just out of interest Jim, how many attendees are making their way to the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam this year?

[ajaxusa]

Good question, Dan. So far, we have only 4 of us on the official list:

Jim
Ben
Brian
Dan

Many others have expressed interest via this BBoard and in email.

If you intend to join us for any part of the trip (either game, ArenA Day and/or History Tour), please send email to jim(at)ajax-usa.com saying so. (Per? Carcajou?)

[carcajou]

Good question, Dan. So far, we have only 4 of us on the official list:

Jim
Ben
Brian
Dan

Many others have expressed interest via this BBoard and in email.

If you intend to join us for any part of the trip (either game, ArenA Day and/or History Tour), please send email to jim(at)ajax-usa.com saying so. (Per? Carcajou?)

Well, actually, I just got this job at a University close to my hometown. Really good one, and I'm really happy about it. The only problem being that I can't get days off easily. As I already got four days off for Champions' League games in February and March (Inter home and away), I fear that it won't be possible for me to get more from my boss to attend the History and ArenA tour :(

As the first trip to Amsterdam was definitely a highlight in my life, I'm really looking forward to joining next year (it should be easier to get day off then, as I'll get more experience) and I'm really sorry to not be able to be part of this one.

However, we'll have the pleasure to meet on the 8th (another liver torture for me ;)) and for Ajax - AZ.

[m BZ]

I will be there. One of my kids will be there part of the time. I will be going to both games and he will definitely be going to the AZ game. His initials are AZ, but we will keep him on the Ajax side.

I am envious of Blind 3, pulling off two trips from Media, PA to Amsterdam in three months. Go Ben.

[ajaxusa]

Ah, so this is Mystery Bob! :bis:

[DanK]

All I can add to this is if anyone is even remotely thinking of going, take the chance and come along. I had been trying to go to this for a few years and luckily last yeat I was in Holland at the same time, so could finally do it.

The group were great and the Arena Day was an absolute stand out. I have the photo we had with the team enlarged, and will remember the day always.

I would also like to think that I came away from that trip with a few more good friends.

Last year I as I was travelling with my wife and cousins from Holland, I couldn't manage to get to all events (such as the history tour), but this year I hope to join in all the fun.

Cannot wait until April (fingers crossed we actually see a win this year!) and to catch up with everyone again...who knows I might even drink a beer...come to think of it, maybe 2. ;)

[aveslacker]

I went a few years ago and had a great time. It got me started posting on Soccerpages and now AT. Everyone who can go to this event should attend it.

Sadly, however, I can't go this year. X'C

[PabloDiablo]

I just booked my flight. I've been reading the Ajax-USA website for a couple of years and promised myself that I would make the trip one day when I have the time and money. I'm looking forward to seeing Amsterdam and meeting fellow Ajax fans.

[BPBlueSox]

Yep, me too. Emailed Jim this evening about it.

[DanK]

Fantastic guys. Glad to have you on board...not long to go now. Bring it on!

[Blind3]

I booked at the Hortus for my April stay, arrive 8 April and leave 13 April, on my trip just completed.Still rooms available. Love that place! Booking my flight next week. :xyxthumbs:

[ajaxusa]

Yeah, it's shaping up to a good group, with returning veterans and some new blood! I think I might even be able to arrange for us to have some beers with a famous sports novelist! Fingers crossed...

[Blind3]

Is he a famous sports novelist :worshippy: with an english version in the works(HINT HINT)???

[PabloDiablo]

I'm not picking up on the hint. But I'm glad to have a beer with someone, whether they're a famous novelist or not.

[m BZ]

There will be plenty of opportunity for beers. A famous sports novelist? Is this person more famous than the acclaimed sports and music journalist, Mr. Menno Pot? There are usually a number of chances to have beers with him. I don't think I am getting the hint, but SK could be the initials.

___________________

Beer! Now there is a temporary solution. * * Homer Simpson

[aveslacker]

Menno, aka Kowalcyxyzyzkualkak or whatever, has written a novel, Vak 127, which involves Ajax and a group of Ajax fans. He is also an all-around cool dude, (and a good dj) and I'm insanely jealous that I won't be joining him and the rest of the group for beers or even seltzer water this year.

But I hope you guys have fun! :xyxthumbs: