Advertisement
Published: August 28th 2007
Edit Blog Post
Amsterdam..... it was actually a return trip for me but Venny's first trip.......... for us it was our first time in a Western Nation since April (not counting layover in Madrid before Mo-crock-o *get it..... Mo-crock..... oh forget it!).
We arrived and had to scrounge up a room near the airport where we had to stay a night before moving to the city center and Rembrandt square as there was a big gay/lesbian celebration winding up and most of the hotels in the city center were booked. What a change, straight from Islamic Morocco to the tail end of a gay/lesbian celebration in a town where marijuana and prostitution are legal......
Being in a western nation was a breath of fresh air and it made you appreciate the little things we take for granted,
* A bus shuttle service and hotel booking service at the airport
* Drinkable tap water
* Unwavering hot water and electricity
.... ahh the little creature comforts in life. What I didnt appreciate is the $30 dinner of two burgers, some fries and drinks..... holy bajeezus what happened to the U.S. Dollar (all together now............ thanks Mr. Bush). The dollar isint what
it used to be and the Euro has us paying through the nose for everything..... the layover in U.K. had us trading two dollars for one pound....... ouuch! Anywho.
We enjoyed a nice quiet night at our airport hotel before picking my brother up at the airport and heading to the city center where we were to meet up with my dad and sister for a little 4 dayish reunion of sorts (minus mommy dearest) in Europe. I was looking forward to seeing my family and the added international pow wow made it that much better.
We met up and got to wander town and see the sights of Amsterdam. The whole town is very small town-but in the big city, everything is very clean and has a neighborhood feel as opposed to endless urban sprawl. Everything is basically walking distance and tourist maps get you around easily..... it was relaxing just walking the streets and canals and taking in the nice weather and greenery of the city. We ended up doing the Van Gogh museum, Ann Frank Museum, Toured the red light district and a tour of the Heineken factory (gotta do it if your there).
The Red Light District Crossing the canals to the East of Dam Square you come across the legendary "Red Light District" where ladies of the night ply their wares in a neighborhood setting. (I assume) Women are not allowed to walk the streets so they stand in shop "if you will" windows illuminated by red lights and put on their best marketing campaigns for the passers by. It is quite a site as the streets get pretty crowded at night and people walk about seeing the sights for themselves. Sprinkled around the neighborhood are restaurants, bars and shops just to add to the aura of the whole thing. It is a must do if you visit the town, whether you plan on sampling the goods or not, it is entertaining in its own right and where else in the world will you ever see it again huh?
It was a quick 4 day trip but I cant overstate how nice it was to get together with family out of the country and hang out, I hadnt really seen the since our wedding.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.231s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 17; qc: 81; dbt: 0.0799s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Wayne
non-member comment
No place like Amstel without the light!!!
Geez, man!! decided to take a vacation away from the adventure!! Your almost home.. Geez, how normal with that be?