Advertisement
Published: July 30th 2006
Edit Blog Post
(August 20th through the 23rd 2005) I arrived into Den Haag late evening, and met up with family that lives there. Cousins on my mother's side that have resided in Holland for a long time, moving from Colombia, as we did to the United States. Hadn't seen them in three years, so it was great to see them once again. Great greetings, great Colombian food while I settled in, and out to see Scheveningen. Surprisingly cold, my cousin and I walk the boardwalk and see my first glimpsees of the Netherlands. Grey day, the tides are choppy, and we make our best of the evening. We see the casino, and the touristy spots. Nice beach front restaurants, and on sunny and warm days, I bet it would be a good escape for the day. Sit to have some beers, and head back to Den Haag.
The next day I wake up early and head to Amsterdam. A bit excited to see this city, worldly famous for its various attractions to say the least, I get into town around 9 and start walking. I head east, and get lost in the streets. My first impressions are that the city is charming; I
like the buildings, and extremely friendly to pedestrians. The canals give it an extra kick. However, the city is dirty and garbage is everywhere. Every garbage can in town is covered in trash, with three foot piles next to it. Mounds of garbage are everywhere--I would learn later why. I liked the city, but this view lost some of its charm as I walked. I made my way to Anne Frank's house. The line is extremely long, and I find out that they don't accept student discounts--sorry. I meet a guy from Atlanta in line, where my family resides, and we start up a conversation. I learn that the mounds of trash are due to the fact that city workers have been on strike for the last week or so, and now it is more understandable. Walk the house, and head out. Walk more of the city, stop at a bar, have a two euro Heineken, and head to the Van Gogh Museum. I am sure that they have raised prices by now, since it cost me 14 some euros to get in. Very expensive, in my opinion. The museum was great, and details his life's work. His are displayed
The Netherlands
Amsterdam- Anne Frank's House nicely. The display that was on display in the 'basement' was as well magnificent. But to pay that much money, it's fifty-fifty, especially if you have other places that you want to see in Amsterdam. From there I walk around, the area, and head to the Heineken Experience. For 10 euro, you get a tour and a history of Heineken, plus three free beers, not bad at all, plus a .25L Heineken glass when you end the tour. I thought it was worth it.
I head north, and walk around. Already late afternoon, I've walked a fair share of the city, and my stomach is grumbling. Check my wallet, and only have limited funds in cash. I don't want to take anymore money out, since I am saving it for Mexico later in the week. So I decide to grab a late lunch, early dinner, instead of going to a cafe, those famous in Amsterdam.
I head to the red light district. All tourists, following their guides. With garbage everywhere, the place seemed seedier than it really was. Walk around, and drug dealers hassling me left and right. One talks to me while I stroll, and start up a conversation
with him. He offers me any drug I want, in English. I keep quite. He asks what language I speek. And begins to talk to me in every language he has in his repertoire. Over six, and I am quite amazed that he is doing this business with those skills. We speak in Spanish, and I tell him no thank you, and don't waste his time, so he may go on to the next customer. The red light district was exactly what I thought it was going to be. So I walk around and head to the train station back to Den Haag.
The next morning we have arepas, hadn't had those in three weeks of travelling, with hot Colombian chocolate, the best. My other cousin and her partner take me out to see a condensed tour of Den Haag. Beautiful women everywhere. This city is overflowing with beautiful women. I eat a herring, quite tasty. I see the international court, just a quick see, and then head north to a small town, 'traditional town.' Volendam was quaint. We had lunch, and my cousin made me get a touristy picture of me in a 'traditional' fisherman outfit. It was a
quiet day. Nothing exciting. I go to sleep early since I have a plane to catch at 7 in the morning.
At the airport my cousin decided to give me a taste of beers--don't ask me why the bars at the airprot were open this early. Amstel, Heineken, Grolsh, and others. I get a good buzz. Right before we are about to say goodbye she says, alright one more. A supermarket at the airport is open, so she buys a six pack. Let me just say that I slept well on the plane.
I day stop to see my family, and then onto Mexico the next day.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.212s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 18; qc: 72; dbt: 0.1096s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb