At the beginning in Amsterdam

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  Amsterdam, Netherlands
Wednesday, August 9, 2006

August 9-13
What a way to start. Amsterdam is definitely the capital of the weird-world; almost impossible to really describe, but I'll try.

First I should back up and say a little about what it took to get here and why I decided to do this. I sold my car, rented-out my loft and have put all my worldly possessions (except for what I'm carrying on my back) into storage. This trip is about getting out of the office and into the world while I've got some spring in my step. It's about sharpening my intuitions and re-learning (or trying to perfect) how to read the world and others around me. Aside from feeling like I needed a break, I came to realize that my life was being spent forever focused on the future. It seemed as if everything I was doing revolved around planning for this event or that meeting, which would take place next week, next month, next year

A bend in the river

. I wasn't really living in the moment. Not like feel is possible. So, for the next few months that's what I intend to do. We're gonna see exactly what it takes to live in the moment and if I can really do it.

So...Amsterdam.

Um, did somebody forget to tell the Dutch it's summer time? I mean, it's a beautiful town, but perhaps we could have gone one of the four days I was there without any rain. Perhaps it could get above whatever in Celsius but-ass cold is. OK, it didn't come down that hard I guess and the rain was courteous enough to give us substantial breaks. And when the sun did come out is was quite comfortable so, he doth complain too much.

I spent my first two nights at the famed Flying Pig hostel. I felt this would be a good way to meet some other travelers, which I did and was generally glad for the decision. I was equally glad when I checked into a private hotel room for the next two nights.

The Pig is definitely a party-place, complete with the "Happy Room" right up front near the bar that boasts the cheapest beer in town

Another Canal

. About one euro-eighty for a pint.

I mostly spent my days wandering the city, marveling at the canals and the architecture of this town. As you may or may not know, the city planners of yore eschewed the grid system for a loosely circular pattern (thought you'd like to know, Matt). With the three main canals and multiple smaller supporting waterways, it all makes for some fantastic walking and photography.

To stay out of the rain I spent an afternoon at the Heineken Brewery Experience with a couple of my hostel-mates, did the Anne Frank-house tour, which was chilling as one might expect and bought a day pass for the canal bus and just rode around for like 2 hours until it stopped (the rain that is, not the boat). But that was a very cool way to cover a lot of ground.

For those of you who know him, Matt Parker, who is working in southern Holland now, came up for a night and we went out carousing. I will say, I was not expecting the quality in the beer so that was a nice surprise. And yes, for those of you who I know are screaming the question at the computer, I did go to the Red Light district. In fact, the hostel was pretty much in the district as well as a lot of other cool cultural stuff (which surprised me) like the Oude Kirk or Old Church - people who live there are pretty non-plussed by it all

Bier

. And no, I did not entreat any of those fine ladies. Stop smiling Sean.

I stuck mostly to street food here as I was informed Dutch cuisine is pretty much non-existent. And I'll tell you what, those kebabs (they're EVERYWHERE in Europe)are pretty tasty. I did have some great frittes with mayonnaise from a street vendor as well as some nice herring, which is like Dutch sushi; extremely fresh, somewhat oily fish, but with a nice flavor. They serve it with raw onions and a few sweet pickles. Yummy!

So, all in all, a good start. I felt like I was able to really relax here after a lot of work to make this whole thing a reality. Didn't try to do too much of the tourist stuff, just wanted to look around and have a few beers. Mission accomplished. Next stop, Cinque Terre via Milano. Stay tuned...

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Bikes in B&W	Canal Bus	Heineken Brewery	Houseboat
Quaint Street	The Flying Pig	The Leidseplein	The Rookery

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