AMSTERDAM

WOW. that sums it up nicely.
this very long weekend was very... educational.
we stayed at a hostel in a room of 22 people, us 3 girls... our locker was broken into last night, thankfully only a phone was in there!

we visited many top tourist destinations: the hostel was centrally located in the red light district, which if you diddnt know, is the prostitution area- prostitutes rent windows where they stand in skimpy outfits. the red light about the door represents prostitution.

we visited the van gogh museum- really big and we were too tired to appreciate it : (

we also went to he ann frank museum, which was really cool/depressing.

we took a several hour walking tour and learned about the history of amsterdam, apparently the thrid most diverse city int he world?

i gained an extra belly this weekend- we got to know a specific pastry shop, rene's, quite well-4 times in 3 days? amsterdam had some of the most delicious food, especially deserts i have ever seen! chocolate croissants, cinnamon rolls, muffins, truffles, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, and those are just the highlights.

here are some helpful hints if you ever visit amsterdam:
tip #1: about half of the population owns a bike. they are very nice people, until they get on their bikes. if you hear a pleasant bicycle bell, DIVE!

tip #2: "coffeeshop" = weed. its not technically legal, but soft drugs are "decriminalized."

tip #3: space cake is another term for a special brownie. and does not kick in for several hours, according to metabolism.

tip #4: dont take pictures of the prostitutes.


tomorrow, we are once again leaving before dawn for MILAN where we should have plenty of time to shop, will be going to a fashion fair and the small town, Bergamo for sightseeing! im excited, but exuasted!