Wowzers.  It has been 11 days since I last blogged about the tour - and that should tell you a little about how it's going: so amazingly well! We have had many highlights, including playing Crossroads in Belgium (and my purchase of a sweet new orange belt), Breda's concert in the park, which led to a night of debauchery w/ two of our favorite women, Marcia and Marike.  Thanks to both of them for spoiling us and keeping us laughing until 4 a.m.  They are our new Dutch sisters!!

We enjoyed very much the radio show in Winschoten and the dinner on the garden patio beforehand with Peter and his lovely wife.  Also the outdoor Veranda show @ Cafe Open in Amsterdam.  We learned a lot about parking on that trip, and discovered that when one is desparate, one will park so closely to other cars that one must climb out the back feet first, through the trunk, to get out of the car.  I have video of Carrie doing just that. 

De Groot in Eindhoven was a total blast, and the venue was packed full of listeners.  We each sold a ton of cd's and had two photographers snapping photo's the whole time.  It definitely gave us a glimpse of what it would be like if we were REALLY famous. :)  The funny thing is, all of these things have been highlights and we have not had one show turn out to be a bust. 

Last night, we played a place called Gambrinus in Suhl Germany - and the room was sold out.  We played 3 sets - and were still encored 4 times.  I am pretty much living a fantasy it seems.  I am currently sitting outside in a small garden in Nurnberg, Germany - sunshine blazing through my black sweatshirt, and I plan to read for an hour or so before sound check. 

Of course, a tour wouldn't be a tour without a few funny things going wrong - ie. a couple random gluten poisenings, a few traffic jams and detours gone awry, a good size parking ticket in Belgium, a 4 mile accidental walk in Amsterdam, trying to find a venue, and last night, banging my head so hard when taking off my guitar, that I had to share it with the audience.  I also learned that all last year, I was ordering my coffee drink incorrectly and each time I was asking for "Coffee Traffic" instead of a latte. Ha!! 

And finally, the big surprise.  The other night, when arriving to SKEK in Amsterdam, I was checking out the room, and inquiring as to where to put my gear.  I suddenly hear a strong American accent say "Don't I know you from somewhere?!"  I immediately jumped back from the bar to see two shining faces, dear faces, of two close friends from Helena Montana - Sue and Adel.  Needless to say, I let a few swear words out and was completely speechless otherwise.  They were grinning ear to ear and told me they were here to surprise me.  Indeed, I was surprised. Very surprised.  It was Sue's birthday week and it made my entire tour.  We spent the next day together, shopping all around Haarlem on our day off - and I bought a beautiful new pair of grey boots with black polka-dots on them.  It was so incredible to be in Europe with my sweet friends who have known me since I was 19 and still wearing tapered pants with pointy shoes. Ugh.  I am lucky they still love me.

I have enjoyed so much, getting to know my new Dutch friends and family. I am already starting to plan next Spring's tour - and it seems like forever before I will see everyone again.  The good news is, we still have many highlights to come - as there are still 12 shows left to play, and a new country to conquer: Denmark!  With that, I shall let your eyes rest.  I will try to check in again soon.

CB