Amsterdam,
Noord-Holland,
Netherlands
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
We got into Amsterdam about 9. Joe and Chris were already there. I was worried about the apartment I had arranged after the Alicante fiasco, but my fears were unfounded. The apartment was expensive but really nice. Good location. And...it had a washer and dryer - clean clothes! First night was kind of a bust as we had to wait for Joe to finish a bunch of phone calls. We got out and had a few Heinekens and a kabab and went to bed. The next day the first order of business was to rent bicycles. Just a great way to get around the 'Dam. I can't walk to far without my knees giving me trouble, so this was a nice change...we were definitely more mobile, and no DUI worries or taxi costs. We went to a Roots Festival in the park. Lots of tribal music and good food...all the girls were sandal-wearing rastafarians tho. The last time I was in Amsterdam we tried to go to the Heineken museum, but they were closed on Monday, so - we went on Sunday this time - and they were closed for renovation :((( waaaaaaa! I'm done with Heineken - Grolsh is a way better beer anyway. Then we watched some soccer and surprisingly enough, after all day in the sun and riding bikes all over the city we were dead tired so we went to bed. Monday was our big day in Amsterdam. I got up early and went exploring. Richard also left early and went to the Anne Frank house. I know how the story ends, so I passed. I met Richard at the Van Gogh Museum (See, Mom? CULTURE!! Even if it is a psycho, ear-cutting guy). Some good stuff there. Then a canal tour and then we went and got some overpriced sushi. Then on to the bars for soccer and big drinking. We all drank wayyyyy too much. At one point Chris was trying to send text messages on his digital camera. Richard and Joe were smoking cigarrettes. We found a locals only bar with cheap Grolsch and drank plenty of them until 3 when they closed on us. Poor Richard had to leave early for a 7AM flight - that's just bad planning as you know mornings in Amsterdam are horrifying....
All together
