That night we stayed in the Netherlands. Perhaps wisely, we stayed outside of Amsterdam, we were headed there tomorrow.
None of us were really sure what to expect when we headed to Amsterdam. I had been there when i was 13, and i can tell you it is hardly the place for a 13 year old to be (the choir i was with made sure i didnt find out that fact however!). But everything else aside Amsterdam is a very pretty place.
We went in and went on a boat ride. This is something that everyone must do when you go to Amsterdam, it is like going up the Eiffel tower. We got to the station and realised we were directly across the street from the 'Sex Museum' - i guess if we werent sure beforehand, we could be sure then - we were in Amsterdam.
But the boat ride was really good, sliding under all the bridges wondering if you are going to fit, seeing all the people in their house boats. Amsterdam is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, and as a result many people live on house boats. The houses themselves are unique and very quaint. In amsterdam there is the smallest house in the world. It is about half a metre wide and three stories high. Imagine the sales pitch: 'yeah sure, its a little tight, but location, location, location!'.
After we finished the boat trip, we went for a walk, i think this is the only way Amsterdam can be appreciated. It is really a pretty place. We visited Anne Frank's house and walk past all the people trying to get us to buy 'coffee' in their cafes. And im sorry, but a trip to Amsterdam would not be complete without a visit to the Red Light district. Haha now theres a laugh. That has to be the seediest area in the entire world. I just dont understand why someone would let something like that happen. All the same, its one of the biggest laughs ive had in a long time.
Whichever way you look at it, you cannot deny that Amsterdam is a cool place. I mean, strip away all the stuff that brings the British tourists there (sorry poms, but i have to say you are the culprits!), and it is a really funky place. The buildings the lifestyle and the mentality of the people. It is just a unique and interesting city.
Anyways, after we left there we went back to the Hostel just out of town, to our surprise Walter actually let us drink (love ya Walter! Your the man!), i mean i had been for a drink with him a couple of times, but he had never said to the big group 'go and enjoy the Dutch beers!'. We played a drinking game that brought a little too much truth out of everyone. It was good fun, everyone says you get really close to the exchange students, but i never really had understood what they were saying until now. I am really close to these people and they are all great. I will be sad to see them go.
Paz