We got the I Amsterdam card at the airport, which gives you free public transportation and free admission to many museums. Again, we used the hell out of the free public transportation feature, at least. We had some quaint notion that we would be walking less in Amsterdam, since the trams are so convenient. Well, they are but only once we figured some things out...and some things we were still figuring out the day we left. The bus driver (*Note: when leaving the airport, take the 195 bus to Lelylaan tram station) took the opportunity to give us his opinion on the Moslem immigrants to Amsterdam. I say, no comment.
We dropped Yoli and Z at their hotel, then walked to ours. With our backpacks. Because someone told us it was a fifteen minute walk. It may have actually been only fifteen minutes, but time is relative when you are carrying a heavy pack on your back. We did get to see the mini Red Light District right in our own neighborhood. How convenient. We met up with the girls for a quick dinner at one of the many falafel places in the city. I really liked how "fast food" there is prepared to order. Thank goodness for all the exercise they get there, cause everything is fried. But good, if not authentic Dutch food. I had Shorma, which included meat carved off a huge hunk impaled on the counter (goat?) and was slathered in some tasty creamy garlic sauce.
The next day we very self righteously got up early and headed over to the museums, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum (free admission with the I Amsterdam card). We then ended up at an Ach Emm near a sport bar; I had more success in the store this time, and we ate lunch at the Satellite Sports Cafe. Hey, we didn't name it. I had spaghetti with Bolognese sauce (there's a trend, there) cause I was craving carbs and we had beer...we really just loved the place, and didn't want to move, ever. Funny how at home I want to split as soon as I eat but on my trip, I just wanted to sit around and veg after my meal. How very civilized of me. We loved our waiter (holla!) who was charming us with his ready wink until we realized it was most likely a facial tic. We never win lol Awesome fact: the drinking age for soft liquor is 16 and up, and for hard liquor is 18 and up.
So, Amsterdam. For some reason, the city makes me wonder about statistics. It's just so extreme, here. Bicycles everywhere (nearly 30 percent of all commuters travel exclusively by bicycle) makes me think, what's the average commute time? You see almost no children - what's the population growth rate? Crossing the street is insanely dangerous - how often are there accidents? So many people, milling about, at all hours - what's the unemployment rate? The smell of pot everywhere and people drinking beer on the street, on trams, boats - what's the rate of addiction? In the Red Light District I wondered, who the hell actually does that? In a purely practical sense, paying 50 Euro for 15 minutes, and you have to undress, shower, get hard, cum, and be ready to go in that time...I'd rather jerk off, I think. The food - how much heart disease is there? I mean, they have chocolate sprinkles for toast!
We did a free canal tour that was part of the I Amsterdam package, then went to the Red Light District, and were more impressed by the swans than the hookers. We ate at New York Pizza and Wok to Walk. Pretty self evident meal choices.
Nice full day! We definitely made better use of time in Amsterdam.
OMG That was so funny. Looks like you had a great time.
ReplyDelete