Amsterdam, Netherlands

I decided before the trip that Amsterdam was one place I wanted to spend a couple days in. I'm glad I did as I was able to complete everything on the list.

During the first day, I completed the list of places I wanted to see. The second day was devoted to museums and shops.

It really only took walking a couple blocks away from the train station before I noticed the scent that would haunt my stay in Amsterdam. You know what it is, and it is literally everywhere. It's almost not possible to walk more than 100 meters without seeing/smelling one. Coffeeshops. They don't sell coffee. Good news: You eventually get used to that rancid smell.

If it can have a bike chained to it, it will have a bike chained to it. There are so many bikes in Amsterdam. I bet it's a rather healthy society, but more than that, it's kind of annoying. They take up a lot of space when they aren't being used. Part of me thinks that most people have multiple bike locked up around the city, and they just use the one they are closest to. I even saw a barge moving down the shore full of dead bikes. Sad.

Because Amsterdam is so 'popular' among college aged people, it's difficult/expensive to get a hostel within the city limits. I chose to stay in The Hague and train in for free (Eurail). Spartacus was playing in the background in the train station, signs of a good day.

During day 2, I chose to visit the Anne Frank House, the Sex Museum, the Pot Museum, and the Cat Museum. I also took a stroll through the Red Light District.
The Anne Frank house is expensive and it takes a long time to wait in line, but it's worth it. I think just about every student in the States has either read the book or seen a production of the stage play. It's a completely different experience to walk in and actually see the place where those events took place. It's also quite the downer. I'd recommend stress eating afterwards.
The Sex Museum is a tourist trap, but a cheap one. It's mostly just full of old porn and dirty mannequins. There's also a life-size Marylin Monroe complete with skirt/air vent. There's nothing there that's actually historically relevant.
The Hash Museum was interesting. It's really small so I think the main reason people go is for the free samples. I did not partake, but the Russians who were there did. There was also one guy who was trying to convince the man operating the vaporizer that pot really as a horrible, horrible thing and that he should try to redirect his efforts to getting it banned. This man also brought his young child into the museum with him. Sometimes people confuse me.
The Cat Museum features cat art with a couple live cats. That's just about it.

Experience I'll never forget--I had accidentally found the Red light district. I was just walking around in the evening. I was unsure of exactly where I was, but I was making my way back to the train station. All of a sudden, I hear this tapping noise. I turn around and lo-and-behold, a rather busty, black prostitute is tapping her long fingernails on the glass, inviting me in. I booked it. Hookers are scary.

What Did I eat?
Kombucha- Fermented, non-alcoholic sweet tea. Bubbly and delicious.

Fries- Oh yeah