Phil and I Visit Amsterdam

Phil was just starting his European holiday going to Madrid, Barcelona, maybe the UK, etc. so I suggested he and I meet up in Amsterdam for a couple days. I knew Amsterdam's reputation, but really hoped there was more to it.

I got out of the plane in Schipol airport (which is HUGE!) and made my way to the train for Amsterdam's Centraal Station. It was a short 15 minute ride.

When I met Phil outside the station and looked around, I couldn't believe the number of bicycles! There were thousands of bikes all neatly locked up around the train station. As we started to walk to find our hotel, I saw just how integrated bicycle travel is in this city.

There were 4 methods of travel fully integrated into the street surfaces:
1) there were sidewalks for pedestrians
2) there were fully separated bicycle lanes
3) automobile lanes
4) train tracks for surface trains
It was really interesting to see so many people commuting around on bike. We decided we'd have to rent a couple and ride around a bit.
Let me take a short minute to talk about the architecture here. These buildings were all built in the 1600's and 17oo's. That's a LONG TIME AGO!!!
Amsterdam has apparently spent a TON of money restoring the all the buildings to original condition. I couldn't see one brick that was decaying on a building anywhere. All the buildings were in what seemed to be original condition (except some were leaning into over the street a little).

This is one of, if not THE most beautiful city I have ever seen! I wonder if the government subsidises the restoration, or taxes for it, or just enforces it really efficiently. One way or the other the city is in amazing condition.

Anyway, our hotel was perfect; we stayed at the Hotel Sint Nicholas. It was cheap, clean and in a great location. We stayed right next to the red light district (150m to the SE of Centraal Station).

Soon as we dropped stuff off in the hotel we hit the street to grab a beer and get into the city. Because we were staying right next to the Red Light District (RLD), it made the perfect place to grab a bite, a beer and see what was going on.

The coffee shops sell marijuana in various types. Some were listed as strong, some weak, some were suppose to induce a happy buzz, some would excite you, and some were suppose to be more calm and tranquil. Funny that there were so many different types associated with moods like that.

We just walked around and just took it all in.

Once we got into the heart of the district, it was really weird to see prostitutes in the windows. It's just like we've all heard about... red lights and pretty girls in the windows. It was a little uncomfortable to think about these as business windows that just happen to have HUMANS for sale!!! We kept walking.

Next day we went to see the house where Anne Frank lived in hiding for 2 years under the Nazi regime. I read her diary when I was younger and it had an impact on me. I was about her age when I read it. It was moving to see the same walls she decorated with the sparse magazine clippings she could get. They were still up there! Visit the Anne Frank House if you're ever in Amsterdam. It's historic and something to remember.

We rented bikes a little later that day. What a GREAT IDEA!!! Bicycles are so well integrated into the city, it's the perfect way to get around. Phil thought we rented "the bike of the future!" I have to admit, they were very comfortable.We rode down to the Van Gogh museum and spent some time there. His work is really something. Either the work of a madman or a genius. Little of both I guess!

We also saw Natalie Portman there. She was walking around looking at the Van Gogh works too. She's a little shorter than I'd expected. Must be the way we glorify hollywood and expect everything to be bigger than life.
We walked by a place in the tulip market that would ship tulip bulbs anywhere in the world. I really should have stopped and had some sent to my mom. She would have loved that. Next time!

We gorged ourselves that night. Phil and I got a nice big Thai dinner then hit the streets for a few beers, etc. After we had loosened up a little, we passed by a pancake house and I couldn't resist. I ordered the largest pancake I have ever seen in my life. It had to be 18 inches in diameter! With 2 baked pears, halved with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Now THAT was an experience!

Suffice to say Dutch pancakes are no joke! Get one if you're ever there.

We only spent a couple days there, so that about wraps it up. I should have spent another 2 days there. I want to try and take a little longer trips in the future if I can swing it.