Amsterdam Lodge

... though because we really were looking forward to seeing Van Gogh's Starry Night. How could we forget this painting is actually housed in our very own Chicago Art Institute? Must have slipped our minds...

After this we went to the famous i amsterdam sign and climbed all over it and took some sweet pictures. We then decided it was probably time for a nap because we had literally been walking since 9 am. Luckily, only five of us were taking naps so we each ...

... I don't think I could do it!

We followed the hordes of people up the main drag and started the first of our Rick Steves walking tours. As if the tourist crowds weren't enough, the University was hosting some sort of orientation day so all the new students were taking tours of the city as well. It was complete chaos.

After lunch, we walked over to Southeast Amsterdam to see the Dutch Resistance Museum and the Theatre ...

... hallo... als een uitnodiging zo in je schoot wordt geworpen terwijl je nog vliegt van de Frankfurt show twee weken eerder en je met hoofd alweer in Santiago zit voor de derde show in circa 2,5 maand... wat doe je dan? Dan bedenk je allerlei redenen waarom je het niet moet doen, terwijl die twee redenen om het wel te doen ("Het is GAAF" en "Je leeft maar een keer") er keihard doorheen blijven gillen. En dus ...

... I wasn’t allowed into my already booked dorm room for another hour and they wouldn’t even store my luggage so I could start exploring Dubai - well, yes, for a hefty fee! Still, this youth hostel is the cheapest accommodation in Dubai (with all others being at least 50 euros per night more expensive). That afternoon I visited the interesting area around Dubai Creek and the Dubai Museum.

The next day I took a bus (well eventually three buses: a change of buses and ...

... had another look at Rembrandt's 'The Night Watch' at the Rijkmuseum but I wasn't willing to fork over the asking price there when that's about all I wanted to see. I remember being really taken by it last time. The Red Light District is infinitely fascinating, day or night. It is tourist watching at its best. Don't try to take a photo of the girls or a big mean man will come and destroy your camera before unceremoniously dumping it in the ...

... checking-in. Food was not what we found. Before I came to Amsterdam, the city made me think of legal prostitutes, 'legal' drugs, and a liberal attitude for all lifestyle choices. After having been here for a day, this city is about legal prostitutes, 'legal' drugs, and a liberal attitude for all lifestyle choices. The red-light district is crazy. Not necessarily unsafe- (Mom) just crazy. There are creepy guys left and right, hookers in windows ...

... are amazing and the people are so friendly aswel. I've taken so many photos and will be posting them on the1st so you all the get idea of how hectic it is here! Its so busy here at this time of the year! Well only 10 hours until i see the new year in....very exciting stuff :). Thats it for now and il be back on in the next few days to post a new entry and picurtes.Take care Mike x

... Located on one of the highest points in the Netherlands the grounds are shaded by large trees in the midst of their fall colors. Angela walks around with me looking for the grave and when we come to it she graciously leaves me to be alone.

Corporal L. M. Boyd The Algonquin Regiment 9th March 1945 Age 23 Being made perfect in a short space he fulfilled a long time. Wisdom IV 13

Perhaps it was the warming morning sun, or the knowledge ...

The title for this entry may seem slightly alarming at first, but I can assure you that all will become clear, and you have no need to worry. From Rotterdam we got the train (of course) to Amsterdam, where we arrived in the heat of the day with our giant rucksacks. Having sucessfully dumped these at the station (seriously, those lockers were confusing), we made our merry way towards the Jordaan area, and into the Noordermarkt. As you can ...

... accomplish what I had gone there to do. I first found the Van Gogh Museum and really enjoyed it-as I've said before, I love Van Gogh, and it was a pleasure to see so many of his original works displayed. They'd arranged his art in chronological order and posted little blurbs about each period of his career; there were also works by other artists in his "oeuvre," but I didn't have much time to pay close attention to those sections of ...