AMSTERDAM...just as cool as you'd think it be

December 14. Before I arrived in Amsterdam I think I was most afraid to travel here. They are known for their crazy night life and legal drugs. I didnt know what to expect walking around the city. Meredith and I arrived there at 5:30am and luckily we were able to check in that early! We took a quick nap, and then got our bikes we rented to explore the city. I think that if anyone travels to Amsterdam you should rent a bike for a day! We got to see the city from one end , all the way to the other so much more quick and cheap.

Something I figured out real fast is that you will need a rain coat EVERYWHERE. It is very light rain, but expect a little bit every day. Shortly after this picture we bike rode back to get better coats and even gloves. Our first stop was the famous I AMsterdam sign. It felt almost weird being there because I have seen so many pictures of this, and now I am standing right in front of the real deal! Its a little shocking how many tourist are there in the middle of December taking pictures of a "sign."

Biking around you need to be on the lookout THE WHOLE TIME because there are people everywhere. There is bike traffic going every which way, and those Dutch people will not stop for anyone. Meredith's back tire even got hit by a fellow biker...how RUUUDE.

Very ashamed of this decision, but for lunch we broke down and got chinese...I know I know..but come on..Orange chicken is a 24 hour craving of mine. The not-so-great decisions contine when we think it would be fun to go to an Icebar. I dont think it needs much explaining...it is a bar that is literally in a giant cooler. I dont want to"regret" anything on this trip, but if you go to Amsterdam, dont go to an icebar unless you enjoy sipping a drink in -10 degrees.

NOW..what youve all been waiting for (mom and dad).. WHAT DID WE DO AT NIGHT?! The sun goes down..and the red lights come on. I am still just in shock because down every street there are girls in bikinis that you can just walk right in and have sex with, which is just so shocking to me. I thought it would be interesting to go to the Red Lights Secrets museum to 'educate' myself on the topic..I wish I had better pictures of the outside, because I could hardly believe it even AFTER I saw it, but we arent suppose to take pictures of all the naked girls in the window because its "disrespectful" to them..which I find very hypicritical.

Dinner was the tradional fondue and bread. I forgot to snap a picture of it, but trust me when I say it is something you have to try. We parked our bikes and really just walked around, and I was surprised on how content everything was. There was no over-the-top drunk idiots, and no sketchy 'Taken looking men' came up to us. Everyone really kept to themself. There was a bar that you could sit down, order food, and smoke your pot right there in the restraunt. I am sorry mom and dad, but I did try just a little of the Amsterdam gold. But JUST A LITTLE I PROMISE..and its legal so please dont be mad I was smart I promise.

The next day we woke up, checked out of our hotel, and then more exploring!! We had to return the bikes, but walking around was just as nice because we could stop at shops we wanted without having to lock the bikes, and to just slow down a bit to take in its beauty.

We even found The Fault in our Stars bench, and to think that sweet Agustus Waters had his booty sitting where I am sitting made me happier then the average person I think.

Its now 2:00 and our 19 hour bus ride is at 5:30 that we are both dreading, but we still want to explore every aspect of the city, so what better way then getting on a canal cruise! What I enjoy, and that I think the united States lacks, is the history behind this very different city. Seeing the Ann Frank house, to pointing out a random house and explaining WHY there are big hooks on majority of the houses. (Years ago, people would use it as a pulley to store things there to protect them from the constant flooding.) HISTORY...oooooooh..ahhhhhh. Everything serves a purpose for being there.

After it was time to go... but I wasnt to sad because this is is somewhere that I will definently be returning to! Amsterdam was the full package, and the intriguing atmosphere is something everyone should experience.

Well on the bus now with one stop in Germany and then through the night to...POLAND!!

Also, there was SO much more little things that we did so if your curious feel to reach out and I could probably make a second blog post about my love for this city! Let me know what you guys think so far(:

Much Love

Holly Catherine