Hotel Hans Brinker Amsterdam

Amsterdam: Okay so as I think ive said before, this is my second time back in Europe after my 3 ½ months back in Salzburg, Austria in the fall of 04. That being said, this time around I really just want to see the sights that got overlooked for one reason or another my first go at europa. So we got a pretty interesting start to the trip. After 10 hours of a transatlantic flight (enduring the soothing melodies of an added out 8 year old) then a three hour layover in Frankfurt, I touched down t...

Amsterdam is a city whose dramatic past, remarkable canals and decorative buildings make it one of the most exciting and seductive cities in the world. I had 24 hours to experience Amsterdam while catching up with a good German friend, and then having to say goodbye to my brother and a friend whom I had been travelling with for the past 2.5 weeks. Unfortunately it was another cold and rainy day, so after a night train from Prague we would have preferred to be in the comforts of the indoors. W...

That day we entered the world's flattest country; in fact 27% of the Netherlands sits below sea level. The Dutch are some of the world's tallest people; they are generally very attractive and easygoing and will usually speak anything from three to six languages. Being almost completely flat, the Netherlands is perfect for cycling and this appears to be the most common and convenient way of getting around their cities. The country is traditionally known for tulips, clogs and windmills though i...

Well, my first day in Europe started, and ended on a exciting note. As I'm checking into my flight, putting my **** through security, something catches my eye. Sticking out of my lap top is a freakin Ak-47 round and Wes must have missed when he was cleaning out his backpack. I quickly grab the round, throw it away discretely, and pretty much **** my pants hoping that no more rounds were in the bag, otherwise I'm pretty sure I would have been diverted to Gitmo. But i passed through, our flight...

Day Two: Still in Amsterdam. I started out the day wandering the city with my two Peruvian roommates for an hour or two. I then toured the Van Gogh Museum, which was pretty damn cool. After that, I went to the Rijks Museum, the Netherlands national museum. Unfortunately, it's in the process of being renovated, so their selection was rather small. However, they did have a substantial amount of amazing Rembrandt paintings; which were amazing. Alas, I couldn't take any damn pictures. They had a ...

Arrived in Amsterdam today. Finished classes in Kurten the night before. Stayed in a dirty dirty hostel called Hans Brinker Budget Hotel. Their slogan - Hans Brinker Budget Hotel, It cant get any worse, but were trying. It was kinda gross but hey only 21€ a night you cant beat that. The town was FILLED with people, I couldnt believe it.

yep... Amsterdam by day and night... great city, great people.. even the police here are great. amazingly beautiful city, no doubt !!.. were having some trouble finding things to do, but we manage somehow, from library, to the national archive... tons of fun in the sun... hhhh.... surprisingly for a European summer, its quite nice weather over here, no rain or clouds, just sun sun sun. Were still getting use to the legalized aspects of this nation, but I'm sure, we can overcome our shock. The...

This morning we took the hourly train to Amsterdam at 9:45. It is a three hour train ride and the train was nice and comfy. We arrived in Amsterdam and managed to use the tram system to find our hostel- the Hans Brinker Budget Hostel. This place was hilarious. Their theme is basically to poke fun at themselves for being a budget hostel by hanging posters that claim that the bacteria they provide you will be a healthy boost for your immune system, etc. They even sell Hans Brinker Budget Hostel...

I did get on the beer that last night in Brugge. A band was coming to play at the hostel that night, so why they were setting up inside, I sat outside with Paul, Sharon, Cheryl, Jill, and another guy from the hostel, Mark, getting started on the drinking. Decided I should give the 9% beer a shot, and I have to say, I like it. Also have to say, a couple of those and I was quite tanked. Spent the night dancing with Cheryl, Sharon and Paul. Had a good night, the band wasn't bad, and was definite...

The time is ripe to revisit this online forum. Today was a mixture of excitement, confusion and adventure. It all begin on board a 747 in LAX. I know what you must be thinking? Was his plane hi- jacked? Did the pilot suffer food poisoning before landing the plane? Or was Kyle entwined in some tale of espionage and secrecy that has kept even the CIA in the dark? No, none of the above. Rather it was panic and confusion regarding a simple connection flight in Houston. The plane ride to Houston i...