The weather yesterday was gorgeous and all of the leaves are starting to change, so I went for a walk and then a jog through the park. Today I've got a stomachache and my legs are wicked sore, so I think I'll just write more and finish my Amsterdam saga.
We got lucky and had really nice weather on Saturday. The hotel didn't serve breakfast, but we got room service to bring up some bread, jam, and of course cheese! Apparently that's a traditional breakfast in Holland as well as in Germany. Personally, I'd rather have my cereal and milk, but it's still better than the rice and kimchi breakfasts I had in Korea! The cheese was of course delicious, and I ate a ton. I was also incredibly sore from using the Fitness Studio in the hotel the day before, so even walking hurt. I guess that wasn't good planning on my part, to do a hard workout and walk around sightseeing all at the same time.
Since it was so nice, Oli and I walked through the big park that connects our hotel to downtown. I forgot the name of it, but I posted a picture from it, and it's known as Amsterdam's "Central Park." Definitely worth visiting for anyone who likes nature. There were a lot of cute dogs out, and we even saw a little girl on a skateboard getting pulled along by her dog! So adorable. Of course there were tons of bikes too, and I don't think I've ever had to wait so long just to cross a bike path before.
When we got into the city, we stopped at a coffeeshop to rest and "loosen up." We didn't really have any plans, which I find best for traveling anyways, so we decided to keep wandering towards downtown and look around. I gotta say though, thank God for Oli's iPhone. We were never lost! It's so useful for traveling. We went to some more tourist shops and got lighters (I just got a regular XXX Amsterdam one, but Oli got one that lit up with different colors, really sweet.) We also got sweatshirts because the day was starting to turn chilly and we hadn't brought our coats with. Mine says "amsterdam" with each letter in a different neon color (kinda like a techno sweatshirt), and Oli went full-out tourist and bought the "I (pot leaf) Amsterdam" sweatshirt.
We went to the Bols Genever Cocktail museum. It's a kind of liquer that's popular for mixing cocktails, but neither Oli nor I had ever heard of it before. Apparently it's well-known in New York City and was the "original gin." The museum turned out to be mostly a giant advertisement, but we got to learn about how "taste, smell, and sight" all play an important part in mixing the perfect cocktail. Of course we also got to order a free cocktail with our admission (otherwise why would we go? lol). I got the traditional Holland House and Oli got an Apple Martini. Mine was rather bitter and a little stronger because it was mixed with some other liquers, but it was still pretty good.
We found the Red Light District and waved back at all the friendly prostitutes in the windows. It was only 3 pm, but they were already ready to work! I wonder when brothels typically open? We didn't get a chance to take the Red Light District Tour (led by a former prostitute) because it turns out you have to reserve tickets online first and it was already full. Maybe next time I go... I gotta admit, the prostitutes were really hot, but I think they're probably just the "advertisements" in place to lure in customers. I can't imagine someone that hot would want to be a prostitute when they could be a model or something better. They were nice and blew kisses at us, but I couldn't stop giggling (the coffeeshops probably didn't help for that haha.)
I also forgot to mention that they day before we took a Canal Cruise tour. It's kinda like a Stadtrundfahrt, but on a canal boat. There are a couple different lines that go all around the city, and you can buy a day pass and stay on as long as you'd like. That was fun, and we got to see the famous museums (from the outside at least.) The houses by the water are also the most ornate and antique, and they're all so tall and narrow. The staircases are so small that each house has a pulley-system on the front for large objects, and this causes all of the houses to slightly lean forward over the water.
On the way back, Oli and I walked through the park again, and since it was a nice day and it was Saturday there was a lot going on. Some stoner hippies had started a little dance party, so we sat and watched them. I would have joined, but I was exhausted by then. It was enough to watch all the dreadlocks bouncing around. :-)
We got back to the hotel and I took a bath (it's been so long since I had a big tub!) Then we went to the hotel restaurant for dinner, and I got French Onion Soup (with cheese of course) and Oli got his favorite, steak. For dessert I saw an item on the menu called the "Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich," so of course I had to try it! It turned out to be nothing like a pb & j, but was still good nonetheless. It had a little ball of fruity ice cream of some sort, then almond and strawberry ice cream wedged in between peanut brittle wafers. I had no idea how to eat it either. I had to stick to using my hands.
Like the night before, we were incredibly tired and full and ended up staying in for the night again. It was probably the best decision anyways because our train left at 11 am the next morning. Of course thanks to the Dutch Railway System the train was late and made us miss our connection, but what can you do. They said that they were "running tests" and "all of the trains will be leaving from different gates." It made no sense at all.
Ok, my tummy's feeling better now so I'm gonna get a little to eat. Tschüss!
No comments:
Post a Comment