Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum puts some of its finer works on an outdoors display.
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This was my fourth or so visit to Amsterdam and still incredibly fun.  I finally got to visit the Rijksmuseum, which was a bit smaller than expected.  Then, as if guided by fate, we stumbled upon the Heineken Musueum an hour before it closed.  Entrance was ten Euros and included three tickets to trade for beer at Heineken bars cleverly spaced throughout the museum.  The limited time forced us to drink quickly and keep moving.  At the end, the museum-goers can sit and drink for a while after the museum is closed at the last (and largest) bar.  That is, of course, until your tickets run out.  It seems, though, that lots of people don't use their tickets and are happy to give them away at the end, so we were able to score at least five or six Heineys each... not bad for ten Euros!

Ahhh, the Heineken Mus... wha? This is a Museum?!!
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Suitably buzzed, we searched out food and were sidetracked only once for more drinking at Poolcafe de V-street. Feeling great we finally arrived at Poco Loco, a trendy (if gaudy) tapas bar that fit our mood perfectly.  I can't say enough what a great time we had here... it was the best-tasting food I'd had in months (possibly a side-effect of our inebriated condition, but it was just what the doctor ordered) and the service was outstanding.  To top it off, the whole bill did not exceed sixty Euros for two, including a generous tip.

We were able to score at least five or six Heineys each... not bad for ten Euros!

Not the real thing, a dramatic re-enactment of the Sex show (no mannequins were harmed in the shooting of this photo)
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The rest of the evening was spent exploring the finer side of the Red-Light district.  This visit held no surprises until we were offered entrance to a Sex Show.  Bolstered by liquid courage, we decided to expand our horizions and give it a go.  I'll say it was worth it just for the sheer novelty... other than that, the theater was cramped and creepy, the patrons seedy and sleazy and the show was, well the show was live sex on a stage.  Some of it was interesting, but the show is actually six different scenes that repeat themselves over and over again.  I wonder where the participants find the endurance!  The delux package, which included four drink tickets and admission for forty-five Euros, was certainly not worth it.  Well, at least I can say I saw a Sex show in Amsterdam.