Amsterdam

Let me start out by saying Amsterdam is a weird city, I don't think I can get used to it because social problems in the US are blatantly open. I went on a particularly good weekend because Amsterdam was celebrating its Gay Pride, complete with a parade down the canals and lots of people on the street wearing pink and carrying the "Gay.nl" flags.



The first day was a planning mess. We arrived with no specific plans and way too many people. We bankrupted our phone credit trying to meet up with each other without success. In the end, we all split into smaller groups to pursue our collective interests. It was more efficient that way too, since we all lived in different places.



Drug use is blatant in Amsterdam. Coffeeshops are where people can purchase and smoke weed. There are "Smart shops" littered around the city where they sell "Magic Mushrooms" and various drugs. Of course hard drug use is banned in Amsterdam, but I'm sure it isn't enforced strictly at all.

There was a lot of walking around aimlessly while we were there. We passed the Dam Square plenty of times trying to navigate the streets. We did not speak a word of Dutch and could barely read the street signs, which made reading a map that much harder.



The line for the Anne Frank House was way too long, and we didn't have enough time to actually go in. This is the outside of the house:



Heavy rain was predicted and the clouds made for bad picture-taking lighting. Nonetheless, here is one of the many canals.



After a long day of walking around and not checking off the things on our "To do list," it was necessary to go out at night and experience the Dutch nightlife. In Rembrandt Square, there was an outdoor trance/electro show FOR FREE. Since it was Gay Pride, there were many many gay couples walking around. I'm from liberal California, but I have never seen this many gay couples in my life.



Here is a video of the show:






These are the girls I went with, we asked a local to take our picture but he covered the flash. BUT inside the club, it looked like this:



Europe is an electro-house haven!

The next day we made plans to go on a canal tour and then to the flower market. It was a beautiful day--the sun was out! Amsterdam is actually a very beautiful city. I love the architecture around the canals. Imagine what it's like to live in these houses.





I've never seen tulip seeds before--they look like garlic! Seeds for every variety and every color. The black tulips are really cool looking. I would have gotten some, but I don't think I can bring it back--it's not customs approved.



Toward the end of the day, we were walking around Rembrandt Square again looking for somewhere to eat. In the name of Gay Pride, people gave us rainbow leis to wear around our neck! We saw these huge cushions placed on the sidewalk, so naturally, tired as we are, we laid on them (with our leis on).



The plane ride back to London was the best I've ever had. I slept all the way through until we had to get off the plane; I even slept through landing!

This picture is the best picture I have that describes Amsterdam. Lots of bikes (to almost run us tourists over), canals, and rainbow flags.