Yesterday I left for work around 8.20 pm, and when I entered I-40 from the Durham Freeway there was a big traffic jam, all the way until the Wade Avenue exit.

At first I thought it was perhaps the State Fair, but that didn't start until today and in any case never caused so much traffic on I-40 as there was yesterday. I arrived at work at 9.30 am and had to take a conference call while driving.

At work I heard that there was a motivational speaker's event in the RBC Center. It's funny that speakers, 'live through a satellite connection' can attract so many people.

Stopping for the traffic jam on I-40 yesterday. Yes, I need to clean the windshield of our car.

There were pumpkin cookies with chocolate chips at work yesterday -- a large plate of them and the first pumpkin dish I've had in a year.

A delicious way to start the Halloween season.

As part of our long long walk through the city we passed through Amsterdam's famous Red Light District.

See the (somewhat explicit) pictures below.

The Red Light District along Amsterdam's canals.

Room for rent.

A 'sex palace'.

Pimping is forbidden in the Netherlands. Read more on the policy on prostitution in the Netherlands.

A coffee shop, where marijuana and hashish can be bought.

Store for cannabis seeds.

Another store with seeds and all kind of cannabis paraphernalia.

Casa Rosso, one of the largest and most well known sex theaters in the Red Light District.

Outdoor restrooms on the street.

"Please don't piss, we live here", a sign on a residential building.

Last Sunday, after walking along the Thames for an hour or so I arrived at the London Eye.

I'd been reading about the Millennium projects for many years (The Economist was not always enthusiastic about the execution and costs of the projects), and I was looking forward to seeing the Eye.

I bought a ticket and went for a 30 minute ride in the 440 ft high wheel. It was a nice, slow ride, with great views of the buildings of parliament and the London City.

The London Eye, the big ferry wheel.

In the London Eye.

The parliament, as seen from the London Eye.

"Do not lean against the doors". Sound advice.

Almost at the top. You can see that the capsules with seats are completed enclosed.

The view when looking down. It's high!

View of the London City.

When I got off the ride I walked back along the river and had dinner.

Last Sunday, after I checked into the hotel and had lunch I went for a long walk along the Thames.

Some pictures.

Picture taken from the top of a red double decker bus. There's a Starbucks everywhere in London.

Knight Rider street.

The Millennium pedestrian bridge with the Tate Modern museum. Monday night I went for a run over this bridge.

The Thames, with the Tower bridge in the back ground.

On the Millennium bridge, with St. Paul in the back.

Doggetts, the bar where I had a quick bite for dinner Sunday evening: chicken roast.

The city looks like a large version of Haarlem.

There are camera's everywhere in London.

A phone cell.