First stop: Amsterdam, Netherlands
After catching the bus, walking to the train station, grabbing a train to Manchester Airport (where we met the most delightful young family of six moving to Australia - phew), and hitting up a flight to Amsterdam, Josh, Matt, Craig, Elena & I were in Amsterdam. The laid back attitude of the Dutch (oh yeah, they are awesome - yay my heritage!) was felt before we even grabbed our backpacks when the customs officials asked "Coming for the weekend?" and were satisfied with "yes" as the answer to enter their country. We grabbed a train and accidentally sat in first class, which was ok with the conductor. Our tram ride to the hostel could have been free because the conductor didn't feel like checking tickets. Amsterdam.
[Josh walking down the streets of Amsterdam]. The city at night was gorgeous - Christmas lights were everywhere lighting up houses & bridges and even bicycles! The tram ran slower than life itself, we literally were passing it at times walking to the hostel. That is why everyone rides bikes in Amsterdam (well that and most of the streets are pedestrian). I was totally in love. When we arrived at Hans Bruker (our hostel) there were parties going on everywhere, Uni students from across the world checking in and out, even Marketing Reps who apparently were there for a huge conference in the town. We luckily got our own room which made the whole traveling part a little better. Then we set off to see Amsterdam at night. Everywhere you turned there were Coffee Shops mixed with homes next to sex shops across from family restaurants. Everything goes in Amsterdam. Much of the city is tourist mixed with residential which was really nice and the whole trip we felt a lot safer than expected. Everyone seemed to be so relaxed that we think that the crime rate is solely represented by tourists on crazy weekends. It was a beautiful night and we traveled to Leidseplein a smaller square filled with street performers and ample amounts of restaurants including the Pancake House where there was the Steelers Game (for Josh) and a the apparently famous Dutch Pancakes. We ended up enjoying a hearty meal, grabbing drinks at an outdoor Pub to people watch and then returning to our quiet, residential street to continue our people watching on a park bench. One of the most enjoyable experiences, in my opinion.
[Me on our street, Our street - everything is crooked and gingerbread looking, Clog shop!, Coffee Shop on our street appropriately named Happy Feelings]
The full day in Amsterdam was mainly spent discovering the city. Amsterdam is relatively small and easy to cover on foot. The shops were quite European but some of my favorites were the ones selling cheese or shrooms. Something you don't see often next to each other, well, anywhere. And it was totally normal. We wandered our way around and found the Red Light District - Day Style. In every window was a woman (or woMAN) working the streets. Some were dancing others were having a smoke or talking on the phone. In broad daylight. My favorite moment was when a mother was taking her child in a stroller into their house which was right above one of the ladies lairs. I wish I could have taken a picture to capture the moment but pictures are strictly forbidden due to it being disrespectful. However, the oldest church in Amsterdam, Olde Kerk, is there and that is acceptable for pictures. Funny how the oldest place of worship is smack dab in the middle of this center (but should it surprise me when my favorite bar in England is in a church?).
The full day in Amsterdam was mainly spent discovering the city. Amsterdam is relatively small and easy to cover on foot. The shops were quite European but some of my favorites were the ones selling cheese or shrooms. Something you don't see often next to each other, well, anywhere. And it was totally normal. We wandered our way around and found the Red Light District - Day Style. In every window was a woman (or woMAN) working the streets. Some were dancing others were having a smoke or talking on the phone. In broad daylight. My favorite moment was when a mother was taking her child in a stroller into their house which was right above one of the ladies lairs. I wish I could have taken a picture to capture the moment but pictures are strictly forbidden due to it being disrespectful. However, the oldest church in Amsterdam, Olde Kerk, is there and that is acceptable for pictures. Funny how the oldest place of worship is smack dab in the middle of this center (but should it surprise me when my favorite bar in England is in a church?).
[Olde Kerk, Me and the Canal with the Red Light District in the back]
Due to us saving up for other attractions that cost money, we did not go insid
e (you'll notice this happens a lot going down the line) but we did happen to find a famous sculpture in the street that is literally right next to Olde Kerk. I'll see if you guys can figure out what it is (should not be hard). Unfortunately, I was the one who stumbled upon it... not even knowing it was famous or anything. Kinda like the time I found the penis in the old Roman fort by Hadrian's Wall. I really need to stop or people are going to start talking!
e (you'll notice this happens a lot going down the line) but we did happen to find a famous sculpture in the street that is literally right next to Olde Kerk. I'll see if you guys can figure out what it is (should not be hard). Unfortunately, I was the one who stumbled upon it... not even knowing it was famous or anything. Kinda like the time I found the penis in the old Roman fort by Hadrian's Wall. I really need to stop or people are going to start talking!After stumbling upon Hard Rock Cafe (yes, very American but the boys were insistant) we ended back at our hostel around 4-5 and took a 3 hour nap to rejuvenate for dinner and a trip back to the Red Light District - Night. The minute we stepped on that turf after the sun had gone down, it was a new area. There were men EVERYWHERE (Elena and I were literally the only two girls in 20 ft at all times - well that weren't in a window) gawking at the ladies and yes, even bargaining with them. That was the scariest part - when the prostitutes would open the door and Elena and I are just standing there with revolted faces plastered to our faces. The whole night around there was definitely a cultural experience. It's so amazing how everyday life is mixed with sex and drugs like it is no big deal. I liked that it was that way but I also liked there are some things that we keep behind closed doors in America. That and it's so sad that women feel like they have to stoop to that level for an occupation - God Bless America (yes, I know there is prostitution there but it's different haha). However, ending the night with fries, ketchup and mayonnaise sealed the deal of Amsterdam being awesome.
The next morning we checked out, stored our packs, and took another stroll around th
e 'Dam to get to the Anne Frank Huis. It was a surreal moment, especially for me it seemed, because of all the times I've read the book, all the shows and movies I've seen, everything just amazed me that I was there standing in her room, looking at her walls. The diary was standing by itself in a random part of the museum that most people didn't realize it was there and I got to stand staring at it for a good 5 minutes, just by myself. I couldn't grasp that I was there looking at her tiny handwriting in the flesh and blood. I wish I could have taken a picture, but of course that wasn't allowed. Even though it was a bit of a damper on the day, it was more than worth going and all of us were glad we did it. Of course, to liven our spirits we had the best falafels in the world though.
e 'Dam to get to the Anne Frank Huis. It was a surreal moment, especially for me it seemed, because of all the times I've read the book, all the shows and movies I've seen, everything just amazed me that I was there standing in her room, looking at her walls. The diary was standing by itself in a random part of the museum that most people didn't realize it was there and I got to stand staring at it for a good 5 minutes, just by myself. I couldn't grasp that I was there looking at her tiny handwriting in the flesh and blood. I wish I could have taken a picture, but of course that wasn't allowed. Even though it was a bit of a damper on the day, it was more than worth going and all of us were glad we did it. Of course, to liven our spirits we had the best falafels in the world though. After more disco
veries, we headed to the train station for an overnight train to Prague. Thankfully, Elena and I were with 2 Americans from Ohio and 2 Australian girls, but the boys were stuck with 2 Portugese-speaking-only girls. The cabins were tinier than you can imagine and no one who worked on the system spoke English. It was definitely an experience (I am never going to go for having again). The train even split with the front half going off to Russia. I was positive Shia LaBeouf or his identical twin was on the train and tried to find him, at least for a picture, until I realized that split was where he was, and as much as I would love to be stranded with Shia, I thought I would pick another time and place. Don't worry, Mom and Dad :)
veries, we headed to the train station for an overnight train to Prague. Thankfully, Elena and I were with 2 Americans from Ohio and 2 Australian girls, but the boys were stuck with 2 Portugese-speaking-only girls. The cabins were tinier than you can imagine and no one who worked on the system spoke English. It was definitely an experience (I am never going to go for having again). The train even split with the front half going off to Russia. I was positive Shia LaBeouf or his identical twin was on the train and tried to find him, at least for a picture, until I realized that split was where he was, and as much as I would love to be stranded with Shia, I thought I would pick another time and place. Don't worry, Mom and Dad :)When we awoke, thankfully in the Czech Republic (yes, thankfully in Eastern Europe), we gathered our things and stepped off into an even more foreign land only to have Elena realize she left her money pouch on the train that was leaving the platform.........
To be continued! Now here are some pictures from the 'Dam!
BICYCLES! & Flower Markets
Bakeries everywhere & The train station
Canal & Elena, Josh, Craig & Matt (I'm paparazzi)
Chess Game & Carnival music
Me with one of the many elephants around Amsterdam (kinda like the cows in Central PA) & the church Anne Frank saw out her window and wrote many entries about
Probably one of my favorite pics & The many horse posts with the 3 X's symbolizing Amsterdam
Me with one of the many elephants around Amsterdam (kinda like the cows in Central PA) & the church Anne Frank saw out her window and wrote many entries about
Probably one of my favorite pics & The many horse posts with the 3 X's symbolizing Amsterdam
Quick shot of a street performer & The Five
Below: The most hilarious thing about Amsterdam - The Urination Station - Found on every popular street corner and square. Yes, I have now seen dozens of men pee...
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