Lots of first this past weekend.
- First time travelling outside UK since arrival
- First Dover/Calais ferry experience
- First hostel experience
-Woke up 5:58. Panic sets. Collects things and dash out the door. It's only during those moments were your brain has a mind of it's own and you lose the ability to focus. Couldn't for the life of me find Embankment station on the tube map until all the way down the elevator. Dashed towards Cannon station only to find it was empty and how come I didn't have to pay to get in??? This station is not in service during the weekend?? Panic sets once again until the train from the other direction approaches. So if there is service, why didn't I have to pay? Runs up the stairs only to find I had missed the Oyster tap pad and only to find I didn't have enough. Rushed to top up and down the stairs...(thank god there was no train for the past 5mins, thank god the station was so close to my apt). Only in panic mode would you make more mistakes than usual. Gone through the wrong exit and couldn't find the coach. Disappointments sets. It was so good to hear "Is this Holly?" when I ran up the tour guide on the emergency line.
-The journey was longer than expected. (Got there probably 4pm in the afternoon, including losing the hour on the way travelling eastwards) But 4 countries within half a day (UK, Northern France, Belgium, Nertherlands); how many people can say that? So lucky there was a Bureau de Change on the Ferry. Second Ferry ride since the Vancouver Island one in 1996.
-Winston Hostel beside some random pub. Nice place, clean, better mattress than my service apt. Sharing with 6 other girls. The demographics of this trip was very young. Majority are rich college girls from the states studying some type of English or communications major in London colleges. Around 15 or so Argentinians who spoke very little English. Interesting bunch. Being the only asian girl, the only asian on the tour, I stood out very much so. Felt like being in high school or college where there was the cliques and snobs again. Not the type of people who would just travel for the fun of it. But overall it was another perspective on other peoples lives.
-Red Light District.was unexpected. An organized profession just like setting up shop. They also pay taxes and have regular check ups making it an legit labour union like organization. After was some authentic Dutch food with meat potato mash and rude customer service. But the locals beside us were nice to sympathize with us and had quite an enjoyable meal. Coffeeshops and the controlled environment of smoking was surreal. Incorporating anything with brownies and muffins are a treat.
Saturday Feb11 (Clogs + Windmill + Cheese)
- Clog wooden shoes (waterproof and durable)
- Cheese making process
- Windmills everywhere
- Anne Frank's house (Sickening and Depressing) How can people be so cruel to other people.
- Disappointing how the canals were frozen, but incredible how families and people all went down to skate and walk on these frozen rivers that flew b/w the city. It's pretty amazing how Amstel Dam was created from the uninhabitable marshlands.
- Cute little coffee shop beside the canal where the kitchen and bathroom areas were all elevated to presumably avoid the flooding that frequents the areas.
- Farmers market and shopping district
- I AMSTERDAM signage (Passing by the Rijksmuseums and Van Gogh)
- Having cocktail in the best sex shop in the world when asking about directions.
Discovering how I can't stand people who are indecisive yet I am. Finding out that the bumps along the way lead us to discovering more than was thought possible or offered. That the little side streets had the biggest treasures and the fancy exterior didn't mean anything other than the fancy exterior.
Only in Amsterdam can you have uncensored and culture, openness and safety. The friendly dutch have one of the most accepting cultures. Accepting of different races, accepting of different religions, accepting of different professions, accepting of your lifestyle choices.
Sunday Feb12 (Bruge, Medieval Gem)
Pretty little town.
Big on their waffles, beers, mayo chips, chocolates and association with the EU.
Brussels would be the capital of the EU and offer a similar experience.
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