Amsterdam, Netherlands - Day 45 - 47

canal view taken from the boat
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For all you party people out there...you gotta come to Amsterdam! not that i totally experience the Amsterdam nightlife...(i partially did) and its CRAZY there!

I head to Amsterdam bright and early with a girl i met in Rotterdam...she was heading to the same hostel as i was. The train system is sooo easy in Europe...even though everything is in another language...its just so easy to get around.

The hostel is really close to the train station.  I forget what i booked previously for Amsterdam and quickly found out that i was about to share a room with 9 other girls. when i got to the 4th floor flat, there were more than 10 beds...i think i counted 13. anyway, the 13 of us had to share a bathroom (OMG...line ups were so long!) and a kichenette. its basically a studio apartment with rows of beds. the hostel must be making a killing for charging 30 euros a night (for friday and saturday) which is ironic because nobody sleeps on those nights. anyway, we met up with another girl Maria had met in Edinburgh...she was flying out from London.  So the 3 of us walked around a bit...decided that we should go to a coffee shop. I wasnt planning on going alone for sure...but since i was with people...why not?! it was literally across the street from the hostel next to the red lights haha (there were a few establishments with red lights on the street of my hostel...they really do light up the red fluorescent lights at night to showcase the girls). it was an experience ordering at the coffee shop. the guy was really nice about explaning what each is for and we got to smell them all. anyway...Stella Haze?! or whatever it is called was the winner. i want to say i liked the experience but i didnt want to do it again after that...just cuz i rather do the touristy thing and be able to walk properly. but nonetheless, it was a fun experience! :D

hahaha
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eww a new dude is sitting next to me now at the internet cafe...eww B.O.! ok i have to go...be back later!

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I had all kinds of pancakes in Amsterdam.  Had a sweet one at a place called Sarah's pancake...called Brazillian...lots of ameretto! then i found this cute little place...its a japanese pancake house in the area of Jordaan.  I dont know how i found it but i did. It is soooo good...it has cabbage, mushroom, seafood, and bacon all mush into 1 big pile then u top it off with some mayo and some other sauce that resemble seafood sauce. it was good...i was stuffed after three quarters of the pancake. Then on i had these little tiny pancakes with powder sugar called Poffertj?!?! i forget the spelling...but its a traditional dutch treat. Another thing that is popular in Amsterdam is the fries with mayo. everyone eats the fries with mayo...i had some...its ok. its just mayo... :S sorry but its not that great haha! i found out later on this is actully a Belgian thing...but i dont think i will have them when i get to Brussels.

at Museumplein
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The red light district is really lite up with red lights. The lights come on around 6pm or so...although it is hard to tell they are on since the sky is still bright. (Another thing about Amsterdam or Netherlands in general is that the sky is always bright. The sun comes up around 4am or so and the sky is not fully dark until 11pm. its pretty amazing. its no wonder people are so happy here!...oh and this goes for Germany too. the only diff is that it rains a lot in Netherlands. it would rain, then stop, rain...stop...rain...at least i was prepared). so anyway, the ladies come out pretty early. they are all dolled up and actually...i saw one who might be a guy...or at least she looks like one hahaha! i also went by the main red light district...lots of people walking around those streets...even kids....thats weird. the streets have lots of 'shows' with tons of guys lining up to go in...ew! well at least i can say i've been there and saw what it is all about.

view from my hostel balcony
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I read in my guidebook that riding a bike in Amsterdam is a must. So i did! on my last day i rented a yellow bike across the street from my hostel (2 hours for 5 euros...which i thought is cheap but i couldve got the bike for the entire day for 10 euros) and i biked everywhere! its sooo much faster on a bike..i love it! despite many of you who dont think i am bike person (not that i am...i like it...i'm even contemplating on getting one when i get home)...its so different being on a bike in Amsterdam. its really fun! i went by the neumarkt in the morning to catch the outdoor antique market outside of In the Waag (i think thats the name of the restaurant/church), got my caffe au lait, and enjoyed the rest of my time in Amsterdam.

across the street...see the red lights?
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I will be back...there's still a lot i havent seen!