So what happened in the lowlands and Heidelberg? Not much....

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Hi everyone,

How's things? Hope you're good. Ok, this is kind of long but actually condensed, because I'm a little tired and hence a little lazy but I'm trying to fill you in. I suggest getting a coffee at halftime so you remain invigorated for the duration of your read 😊

Ok, due to a few requests of 'so really, what happened in Amsterdam?'
I'll provide a few tidbits of what went on, but really, you won't be interested. Don't say I didn't warn you about this one 😊

Amsterdam is the land ruled by bicycles. Car, tram and pedestrian alike give way to the mighty cyclist. They don't slow down for anyone, and nor are they expected to. I'm actually surprised that there are not more accidents that occur given the number of tourists in Amsterdam that are under the influence of something. I've never personally had to concentrate so hard walking home after a big night out 😊

Cyclists aside, it is acually a very pretty city. With numerous canals, a flower market, and many gardens it does make for a aesthetically pleasing town. This is but one side of the Amsterdam equation. Amsterdam's reputation kind of speaks for itself in terms of seediness and it's simply because it is so commercialised (especially for the tourists).

As I do in many cities, I found chinatown in Amsterdam (it's just north of the red light district actually). I noticed that there are a lot of busloads of Chinese and Japanese tourists that eat in Chinese and Japanese restaurants in Amsterdam. In keeping with the tradition of Amsterdam, shouldn't they at least offer egg tarts (or machi if they're Japanese) laced with the local crop so they get a feel for Amsterdam? I'm sure the busloads of tourists would be in a much better mood, and everything would be such a giggle. They'd wonder how they never noticed how bright the flash of their cameras were, and the size of their hands in comparison to their cameras of course. It would be a blast 😊

Apart from eating, I did get around to visiting the gorgeous buildings and whatnot, as well as finding another photo gallery to view and just pine over other artists' talents. I did go to the Van Gogh museum, and sadly didn't get to see as much as I would've hoped, but what I saw I did enjoy.

Go get a cup of tea/coffee here

Brugge (in northwest Belgium) is beautiful. It's like the town hasn't been touched since the 1600s (apart from the buses and BMWs whizzing by, oh and hot water and electricity too). Brussels is also a lovely looking city but it doesn't have a great feel to it, and I can't really put my finger on it. I didn't see the mannekin pis (the little peeing boy), but from all accounts I'm not missing anything. Belgian chocolates really are wonderful though. I can still remember how the grand marnier praline tasted. Mmmm delicious!!

The thing I couldn't get used to in Belgium though was the service I received. In Brugge, the service is friendly but painfully slow and drawn out. Even though I'm travelling and relaxed, it was so long that I was beginning to notice myself ageing as I waited for my bill at restaurants. In Brussels, they're the opposite. They're efficient but really curt and dismissive. Let's just say I wasn't feeling particularly loved in Belgium 😊 (except for the lady that sold me my train ticket back into Germany, but maybe she was happy knowing I was leaving the country)

On my way to Austria, I made a quick stop at Heidelberg.
They have a castle....
It's a big castle....

Ok, it was an impressive castle, but I'm beginning to get my fill of castles and cathedrals as every 2nd city lays claim to an amazing piece of architecture (or at least what's left of it). But it does have something really lovely called Philosopher's walk, where a lot of great thinkers went to get their inspiration and brain juices flowing. It's carved into the side of a hill overlooking the town and it really is quite impressive.

When I went to visit though, the only people I came across were people busy exercising. Man, time and philosophies have really changed....I can bet Goethe, Hegel or Wittgenstein weren't exactly getting their moments of clarity while they had their nikes on as they ran up and down philosopher's walk. That being said, while I was up there not exercising I didn't have any moments of clarity either 😊

Ok, that's just about it for me. Next time you'll hear from me, I'll be covering Austria and probably some of Italy too.

Ciao Bella.
Ben

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