Amsterdayum

Happy St. Patty's day all!

The most recent european adventure was to the Netherland city of Amsterdam. My friend Nick invited me for his birthday. He was very excited...

Now Amsterdam has a reputation for the two H's. Hookers and Hash. So I was kind of expecting for it to be a dirty party city. But it was beautiful!!

One of the many lovely Canals.

We stayed at the Stayokay Vondendel Park. It was the biggest Hostel I have stayed at so far and it was really nice.

Amsterdam overall should definitely be visited. First of all they're are great sites to see. It's a little but pricy, but definitely worth it.

First is the necessary tourist spot. The I Amsterdam sign. Pictures need to be taken.

Then there is the Heineken museum. I am not a fan of beer. But it was really fun!

Beer is better when it's free.

The Van Gogh Museum: I love impressionist and it was really interested to see all his works and his evolution. There was also a Monet and Picasso section.

Only picture i could take before I got yelled at.

And of course, the Anne Frank house. It was so interesting and moving. You saw the house and lots of found artifacts left over by Anne and her family, including her original journals.

 And the best way to see them all are the bikes. In Amsterdam, bikes rule the road. No matter when and where, they have the right of way.

Locking my bike up on a bridge. Safety first!

All the riding makes you hungry. Amsterdam food was that great. The only amazing local food was the pancakes!

Hello lunch. Chicken and onion pancake.

Beyond sites, and bikes and food, my favorite thing about Amsterdam was that everywhere you looked, there was something funky and random. Don't believe me?

Random giant sheep

Random iguana statue park

Random basket swing.

Random mini log cabin

I don't even know. 

Random giant chess board.

Random rastifarian

Random elephant canal boat

Random Dungeon.

The most random thing, was the music. Clubs in Amsterdam have some serious love for old school cheesy pop.

Overall, Amsterdam is great. And not just some gross party city. I was amazed by how beautiful it was.

I am staying in London this weekend. FINALLY. Because Mamanella is coming to town.

Breakfast in Brussels

Today's passport stamp may look a little different. Note the train in the corner. And it says left London... and doesn't say where I went. 

Look at me! I'm different.

Brianne, Jeremy, Jenny and I left at 540 am on Saturday to catch a train to Belgium. Being a nervous flyer, it was a nice change of pace for me. Except for the screaming baby whose parents decided not to do anything about it.

Eurostar

Now being in Brussels for a mere 8 hours meant we had to be strategic about what we wanted to see. And luckily it is a small city that is easy to conquer.

As soon as we figured out where the heck to go...

Hey Guys!

But once we did... we took the pretty streets of Brussels.

Grand Place

Now the big attraction in Brussels is the statue of the peeing boy. Homage to him is everywhere...

But when we were there he was dressed like this...

Carnival! Peeing boy.

A little bit of a bummer but it was funny as hell.

Next was the Cathedral. Which was very different than most. It wasn't gothic at all inside.

And there was a lot more to see.

Best jump shot!

Grand Palace

Mercedes Museum

Like my new car?

And all that stuff  was amazing. But the real reason we went to Brussels was the food. We lived on a balanced Belgian diet.

Waffles

Yes, that is a waffle truck.

Chocolate

Beer

And fries

All and all, it was the best way to spend a day. In a lovely city, in another country, with delicious food and good people.

This weekend is a change of pace.
AMSTERDAM!

Peace out.