Welkom in Amsterdam

Welcome to Amsterdam,



Lindsey and I just arrived in Prague after spending 3 days and 2 nights in Amsterdam. As most would expect, we both loved it. Here's why:

On our first walk down the street it didn't take long until a wonderful (yet illegal in the U.S.) aroma filled the air. Despite almost being killed by people on bikes, cars, trams, and motorbikes, the people were extremely kind, laid back, and spoke perfect English. Our hostel was about a 25 min walk from the center of town so we walked for the majority of our stay here. Walking around Amsterdam was the right choice, but it took some time to get used to looking both ways for the bike lane, the car lane, and the tram lane before crossing. There are 800,000 people living in Amsterdam, and most of them own more than 1 bike. Combined with all the tourist it can look a bit like this:



The city streets are lined with canals that tame the Amstel River. One of the first things we did was take a canal tour to help us familiarize with the city. By the last day we both pretty much knew our way around town.



Amsterdam seemed a bit expensive. We were expecting to get by a little cheaper than we made out. However, it was our first stop on this journey, and with more practice I think we will get better at cutting down expenses. The food was delicious, but it still reminded me of food back home. The streets were also lined with numerous McDonald's, Burger King, etc...

Lindsey and I made 2 visits to the red light district. When we first arrived in Amsterdam we decided to go see what it was all about. A walk through during the day was not the same as our second visit during the night. The streets are literally lined with prostitutes flaunting and offering themselves through glass door windows. What surprised both of us was not the amount of them, but the amount of shades pulled over the windows indicating these were occupied!



We also visited 3 of the, "famous," coffee shops. All three were very different. The first Funny People was average on a scale of intensity. You literally sit down and receive a menu that includes different, coffees, teas, weed, and space cake. It is very cheap and very good. The second shop we visited,Paradox, was extremely relaxed. It was the only one we saw that served food. The third, Dampkring, seemed like a modern/hip coffee shop. Very intense music played and there were flat screen TV's built into the walls playing odd and bizarre video clips. This particular coffee shop was very trippy, and it was a relief to get back outside after visiting. Best mint tea we have ever had! Thanks Kimbo...

(Paradox)


We visited three main attractions while in Amsterdam. The Anne Frank house was one of the most moving experiences. To see where the Franks lived and survived for nearly three years was heartbreaking yet inspiring. I honestly think, as does Matt, that our families would have killed each other in that amount of time cooped up together...especially while trying to be nearly silent. This "museum" truly made me look at discrimination and hatred that still is prevalent in our world.

Following the Anne Frank house, we decided to lift our "spirits" by taking a tour of the Heineken Brewery - the true Heineken Experience...and that it was! Walking through the doors one is immediately inundated with Heineken paraphernalia, logos, and the smell of delicious beer...making us only crave a nice cold brew even more! The tour was very interactive (4D rides, learning about the ingredients, and the bottling process etc.) but the end result was very rewarding...the best tasting Heineken ever! What a good marketing ploy...


On the last day we visited the Van Gogh museum housing the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings and sketches in the world. The museum was incredibly organized...leading you from room to room...following the chronological progression of the different phases of his life and artistic styles: The Netherlands, Paris, Arles, Saint-Remy and Auvers-sur-Oise. Matt and I were in awe of the paintings from Arles especially his famous Sunflower painting...it made us miss provence...and after seeing a Cezanne painting of Mount Saint Victoire...we are seriously considering going to Aix-en-Provence on this trip...I now remember and understand why my mom wants to move back! Matt also loved every painting that had to do with boats or water...typical.





All in all we thoroughly enjoyed Amsterdam and would have loved more time there. It seemed just as we got acquainted with the city we were boarding a 14 hour train out of there. Now on to Prague...and a new city to be completely lost in!

Stay thirsty my friends,

Matt and Lindsey