Next stop on our European Tour: Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Now, I know that the first two things that anybody thinks about when they hear "Amsterdam" are "Red Light District" and "Legal Marijuana." I want to tell you that although those two things are very prevalent in the culture of this magnificent city, Amsterdam is much MUCH more than just that. Amsterdam literally blew my mind. The people, the culture, the food, and the canals! When people think "canals," they think Venice. But Amsterdam actually has more canals than Venice, AND Amsterdam doesn't stink. Therefore, Amsterdam wins. Just to prove it, here's a picture of the map of Amsterdam:
CanalsCanalsCanalsCanalsCanalsCanalsCanalsCanalsCanalsCanals
Madie and I got there in the late afternoon of the 24th of May and decided to just do a little bit of exploring on our own. The streets were more than hoppin' that Thursday night, so Madie and I took full advantage of the prime people watching.
Restaurant on one of the many canals
The following morning, Madie and I decided to learn a little bit about the culture and history of Amsterdam. This company does free walking tours in several big cities in Europe (it's the same company through which I did the tour in Edinburgh and in Dublin). They're fantastic. A 3-hour walking tour where you can learn all you'd ever want to know about the city.
The quality of this picture isn't prime, but if you look closely, you can kind of notice that the buildings look like they're leaning in towards the street - it's because they are. Apparently, since Amsterdam's realty is so expensive, people tried to make the most out of the small amount of space they could afford - meaning they tried to make their houses as tall and narrow as they could. However, it became very challenging for the people to move heavy and bulky furniture up the narrow staircases, so they attached a hook to the top of the building and would pull the furniture up and bring it through the window. However, to prevent the furniture from breaking anything on its way up, they tilted the buildings. Why they didn't just extend the hooks...I don't know...whatever works, right?
Canal shot
So happy to be in Amsterdam :)
Classic Shot
Postcard worthy
I amsterdam
After the 3-hour walking tour, Madie and I decided to go and check out the attic where Anne Frank's family and friends hid during the Second World War. I was expecting it to just be the rooms where they hid, but it was a full-blown museum. There were videos of people involved talking about how they set it up, and there were quotes from Anne's diary all over the walls. It was actually really really cool - I would definitely recommend it for any person who's thinking about going to Amsterdam.
After taking a step into the past, Madie and I grabbed some PANCAKES before going back to relax a little bit in preparation for our Pub Crawl that night :)
I can't tell you how long it had been since I had had a pancake :)
Luckily, the same company that provides the walking tours also does nightly pub crawls. Conveniently, the night that Madie and I were in Amsterdam, it was our mother's 49th birthday. So, with the help of the pub crawl, we did more than a pretty good job of celebrating!!! :)
Madie and I wishing our mother a Happy 49th birthday!
One thing I noticed about Amsterdam was how incredibly nice people are. For example; when Madie and I were walking down the street, some man (probably in his 20s), stopped us and asked if we were American...the conversation evolved, and we ended up grabbing a drink with him. Then, he gave us a brief tour of the nightlife of Amsterdam and showed us where all of the popular bars were. There's no way that that would happen in France.
I also loved their policy on legality. Technically, marijuana is NOT legal in Amsterdam. Let me repeat that. Marijuana is NOT LEGAL in Amsterdam. Contrary to popular belief, there is actually a law forbidding people from being able to purchase and consume marijuana. However, since it falls under the 3 rules, the police don't put a whole lot of effort into enforcing the law. Those 3 rules are:
1. If it's discrete; Marijuana can be purchased in "Coffeeshops" - not "Marijuana Shops" (discretion is key)
2. If it's hurting nobody; it ain't hurtin' no one
3. If it's good for business; it makes a LOT of money, and draws in a LOT of tourists
Prostitution is pretty much the same thing:
1. Discretion; they're not roaming the streets, the women are in their workspaces - you wouldn't even know you were walking through the red light district if you didn't look through the windows.
2. No harm; Sex workers regularly get tested, and Pimps are strictly illegal; the women work for themselves and themselves only
3. Good for business; ...Need I say more?
Overall, my trip to Amsterdam was even more than I had ever expected. I absolutely loved the city, and would go back in a heartbeat.
But for now, let's concentrate on the next and second-to-last stop on the journey; Rome!!!
À Bientôt!
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