Amsterdam, Netherlands
52° 20' N 4° 54' E
Jan 28, 2007 12:57
Distance 57km

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I smoked two joints in the morning...

Text written in: English

Hmmm... what can I say about Amsterdam??? It reminded me a lot of Las Vegas, and everyone knows that you can only be in Vegas for so long. After a few days you just need to get the F out of the city. Upon arrival we visited the tourist office and got a map. I was too lazy to get directions to our hostel from Rotterdam, so I had to buy a map. Our hostel was the World Famous Flying Pig, and it was only a short walk from the Centraal Train Station. We made it to our hostel in no time, and quickly started walking around the city.

The first place that we wanted to go was the Heineken Experience. This is the former Heineken brewery that is now turned into a museum. This place was great!!! Not only do you get to see how they made the beer, but you get a great look at the history of the brewery. I really enjoyed the whole thing. Not only that but we also got a couple of free beers with our low 10 euro entrance fee. The thing that I still talk about is the "ice cold" beer. They have one of the taps kept extra cold and ice forms on the tap, and it's the freshest, coldest, best Heineken I've ever had... good times.

The hostel was a cool place to grab a drink, get on the internet, or just chill. We hung our there quite a bit, and had a really cool time. We met up with some guys and we took off to go see the "red light district". It was only a short 5 minute walk or so from our hostel. It was kinda weird, but it's exactly what I expected, so I was kinda expecting a bit more. There are a lot of prostitutes behind glass doors... some hot ones, some ok, and some that I wouldn't go near. Before you ask... No I didn't partake in any of this vice.

Another thing that Amsterdam is known for is Coffee Shops. This is where you can participate in the consumption of many fine Dutch stress relievers. It's soo cool that you can just go up to a place and order right off a menu. Why America isn't like this... I don't know, but they should. There were all kinds of people in the different shops... old, young, hippy, stoner, nerd, chix, guys... anyone you can think of.

Our second day we took off to the Van Gogh Museum. This place is pretty cool, and we had to go there based on lots of books, and friends' recommendations. We did the audio tour which helped, but probably not needed. Right outside the museum there was a public ice rink with all kinds of people skating... don't see that in So. Cal.

I really enjoyed Amsterdam, but just like Vegas you can only handle it in short amounts of time. My two days was enough, and I was ready to head over to Prague, but I wasn't ready for the 13 hours of trains that we would have to take.

Photos / videos of "I smoked two joints in the morning...":

The Royal Palace is one of three palaces in the Netherlands which is at the disposal of Queen Beatrix by Act of Parliament. It is situated in the west side of Dam Square in the city centre, opposite the War Memorial and next to the Nieuwe Kerk. One of the many side streets in Amsterdam. Notice all the different places... restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. In the center of Rembrandt Square there is a statue built in tribute to the Dutch painter. Here's the wall of Heineken advertising inside the Experience. Notice how the bottles have changed over the years. This is where the magic happened. There's been a lot of beer brewed in those things. My beer coaster, and the first chip to get my beer at the bar. AHHHHH... my first Heineken at the bar in the Heineken Experience. Cool Heineken sign. Bar number two... and it's two more beers. We got the "ice cold" beers. Notice the tap in the background... it's got ice all around it. Eric enjoying some beers Our table at the bar having some drinks. Heineken bottles in the bar at the Heineken Experience. I think that we could give them a run for there money in bottle cap collections. Me in front of the Heineken Experience. The Heineken brewery was closed in 1988 and the building currently houses the Heineken museum (called the Heineken Experience), but still bears the Heineken Brouwerij signage. Here's a picture of me with the "Red Light District" behind me. The De Wallen red-light district in Amsterdam. Yer not supposed to take pix, but I snuck a couple in. Near the Central Station, there are many many bicycles. There were thousands of bicycles parked all over the city. The main street heading up to the Dam is Damrak. Dude washing windows... my brother can get a job in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a city situated on a series of canals. The people get around by walking, driving, bicycling and boating. One of the many canals that run through the city to give it a very unique feel. An ice skating rink in front of the Rijksmuseum located in the Museumplein. The Rijksmuseum is a national museum of the Netherlands dedicated to arts, crafts and history. These giant letters sit in the Museumplein park behind the Rijksmuseum and near the Van Gogh Museum. Me and the "amsterdam" letters Here's some work by me in the book at the Van Gogh Museum. The Van Gogh Museum features the works of the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries. It has the largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings in the world. Leaving the Central Train Station going up the main street. Notice everyone driving, walking, and biking. Eric and I at the Flying Pig Hostel bar. The bartender was pretty cool, and we had a great time at the hostel. Here is the bar menu at the Flying Pig. Having another beer... followed by another beer... and then another beer We are on our way to Frankfurt we passed by Cologne and these cool lights.
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