First dispatch from Lift 44W #H103326 of Amsterdam International Airport.

Who would have thought seeing art in Amsterdam would be so difficult. During a short connection from San Francisco to Istanbul, I was walking past the Rijk airport museum where a special Van Gogh exhibit is going on. I thought I should check it out. It is on the second floor and I was too lazy to carry up the stairs my 40kg carry-on, mostly sensitive, electronical research equipment. Thinking that a museum in Amsterdam should be as accessible as anywhere, I looked around and finally saw the elevator tucked in a corner. When it came, a gentleman and I had a "You first" contest and the doors suddenly closed and the elevator went up again. Annoyed, I thought I should just barge in next time an elevator comes. Overpoliteness is annoying. Finally, I got upstairs and looked in vain for the museum. It turns out I was walking all around it and could peer inside from the other end but could not get in. Incredulous that a Dutch museum is only accessible by stairs, I looked around and finally saw a the handicap access, but alas it was a special contraption attached to some steps, the entrance was an emergency exit that was locked, and since I was only handicapped by my cart, I had to go back down, leave my airport cart, and carry 80 pounds up some steps if I wanted to see any art. They sure dont make it easy to visit the Amsterdam airport museum. On the way down, I thought I should tell the curator because I am certain they lose most of their potential customers by forcing people to leave their cart downstairs. In an airport, carts are precious items and if you leave one behind for a few minutes, you are unlikely to see it again. As I was thinking these in the elevator down, the elevator slammed hard in a very un-Dutch-airport manner. I was startled, even more so when I realized the door was not opening. I could not believe it. I was stuck in an airport elevator during a short connection, while trying to see Van Gogh in vain. It was 10:10 local time. The three sides of the elevator are glass and I could see dozens of people right outside, some sitting a meter away. I banged on the glass to get their attention, but it was all in vain. The elevator is absolutely soundproof and people would not look up. I could be dying from a heart attack within sight of dozens of people and no one could come and help. I pressed the bell to ask for help. A lady said she was sending help. 10 minutes later, no one had showed up so I called for help again. 10 minutes later, no one had showed up so I called for help again. It is 10:34 now. I am still waiting in Lift 44W #H103326 of Amsterdam International Airport. I may be in Amsterdam tonight instead of Istanbul. At least I have wireless. It is as good a time to publish my first blog post as any.