For details on planning a multi-country adventure across Europe, click here on The Disabled Travelers Guide to the World.

I guess I should have known it was some kind of kick back scheme, but when we checked into our hotel in Amsterdam, waiting for us was a personal invitation to visit a diamond cutting place in the city. Many of the world’s uncut diamonds go through Amsterdam for finishing, and we were excited (and naive) over the prospect of seeing this procedure.

We called to confirm arrangements. I suppose we should have guessed what was coming when they sent a chauffeured limousine to pick us up, but I was young and obviously swayed by the attention. As per their plan, I felt like some big shot by the time we reached the diamond place.

We went through the “factory”, and when we reached the end of the tour, surprise! surprise! There was a shop selling all sorts of diamond baubles, from a fraction of a carat earrings to hundred carat necklaces.

When it finally dawned on me that we were expected to buy something in return for their “graciousness” and hospitality, I felt like a schmo to have to admit to my wife I wasn’t nearly as big a shot as I thought I was, especially since we really couldn’t afford anything I wouldn’t be ashamed for her to own.

Humiliated, I decided to walk back to the hotel with Nancy instead of taking their limo. This meant pushing the wheelchair over a distance of approximately 9 or 10 kilometers.

Fortunately, Amsterdam, a city of many canals, is made for bicycle riders. The bridges over the canals are all easily crossed, unlike the canals in Venice, where nearly every bridge involves climbing up stairs on one side, and going down stairs on the other.

It was an especially lovely day. It was pleasantly warm; there was no humidity, and the sky was the kind of blue that artists swoon over. As we walked along, Nancy, who can read me like a book, knew I was upset with myself, first, for having gotten so full of myself. She also knew I was upset because I was forced to face the reality of not yet being able to buy her the expensive gifts every husband somehow feels his wife wants.

In ways only a loving wife can, she soothed my wounded manly pride, and after a mile or two, I was once again in a good mood, and really began enjoying just being together with her in a city as laid back as Amsterdam.

We came upon an open air market where clothing of all sorts is sold. As we sauntered up and down the endless lanes of clothing, I spotted a rack of suede leather jackets. To make a long story short, I found an absolutely magnificent jacket. I tried it on and it fit like it was made for me.

I negotiated the price for this one-of-a-kind garment, and walked away with it for about $15.00. Yeah, some big spender I am...

Learn how I got this custom made jacket at Disabled Travelers Guide to the World.