Amster...dam(n), that was fun.

I have recently found myself double checking my memories- making sure things really happened, that I actually did the things I think I did, and saw the things I swear I saw, because with all this adventure going on in my life nothing seems real any more; like it's one big dream that I don't want to wake up from. It's a good thing I always carry my Nikon around with me to back up my illusive memories- for proof that my life is actually as exciting as my thoughts tend to illustrate.

For the past two days, I found myself in Amsterdam. The best part is, I was able to explore the fascinating place with my friends who flew in from Rome, Florence and London. It was such a glorious feeling to have Katie in my arms, to chow down with Lindsay and Maria, and to do stupid things with Mallory and Heidi- all while being in a foreign (seriously, so foreign) land. Before I landed in the city of canals, I knew very little about it. I suppose research would have been a standard idea, but I like to live on the edge. I knew that in Amsterdam is cannabis legal, they have beautiful tulips, and something called The Red Light District. Knowledge was limited (like most of my life). However, after accidentally turning down the wrong street- I quickly figured out what exactly the Red Light District was. It's kind of like that cute children's tune, "how much is that doggy in the window", except for instead of dogs, they're women, and you don't make eye contact with them.

I kept having to remind myself to keep an anthropological mindset- constantly forcing myself not to compare and contrast the things I saw to life back in America. But boy, with the constant waft of cannabis and heavy prostitution it got difficult. Good thing we stayed at a Christian Hostel- and we prayed for the sanity of those darn prostitutes, as well as safe travel and the health of our parents (covered all the bases). Amen. Actually in all honesty, staying at a Christian hostel was kind of nice- felt safe, obviously protected by the hands of God and the hostel cat Oliver- but they did provide us with free breakfast and even a free dinner of lasagna, salad and dessert-- so #blessed.

Once we figured out that the Red Light District was very limited (and ironically directly behind our hostel), and that Amsterdam was actually a pretty cool place- we ventured out into the real city and were able to visit some spectacular places.

We were up by 8:00 am on Friday in order to get to the Anne Frank House in time to beat the line; probably one of the better decisions we made all weekend. Not only did we beat the crowds, but it was an amazing experience. Seeing the attic, the journals, the memories of such a young girl in a time of sheer destruction- it was beyond moving. It felt as if I had stepped into her secret world, surrounded by nothing but memories and dreams of a brighter day.

Starting off the day in such a dramatic way obviously called for some light and happy pancakes to cheer us up. I was so happy to meet Maria and Puppolo for lunch at Amsterdam's famous Pancake Bakery. (Just for the record, Maria cried when she saw me- so she does like me, usually). Catching up my my best pals eating pancakes and ice cream in Amsterdam- does life honestly get better?

After taking way too many photos at the I Amsterdam Letters (Big Ben all over again), we then headed over for a canal tour. Although it was less than climactic, it was a relaxing way to end the very long day.

Saturday called for lunch at the Heineken Factory- and by lunch I mean free Heinekens. The tour at the Heineken Experience was a blast, actually that might be an understatement. Not only did we get to see how the historic beer is brewed, but then we got to taste it (they keep the special ingredients in Amsterdam, so it's obviously better there) with a DJ spinning some tunes, and Heidi and a very questionable man dancing the afternoon away. We were also told, that to drink beer properly, you have to take a large sip first to tilt the foam away, because that's where all the bitterness is. By golly, who knew! With a little buzz in our steps, we headed over to the Van Gogh museum- which was beautiful, but a tad too crowded and quiet for our liking. So after collecting ourselves, we grabbed some coupons at our hostel and headed over to a mexican restaurant for free tequila! Ay ay! Actually, none of us have seen mexican food since we've been home- not to mention, we were desperate for margaritas. And low and behold in the heart of Amsterdam, sat a little mexican restaurant with margaritas and our names on it.

After a long two days, full of sites to see and things to do, a good nights sleep was in store- seeing as we had to get up at 7:00 am to catch our flight. After a much anticipated/needed Starbucks stop, I said goodbye to Katie as we ran off to catch our flight (tears), and run we did- sprinting throughout the Schiphol, Amsterdam airport toward security because oops, what is time anyway. After having the contents of my bag emptied out and displayed in front everyone because of a "shape confusion" (boo, annoying), we were finally on our plane back home- where I began to question my existence in Amsterdam, did all of that honestly happen in two days?

**A bit of advice: Don't get to Amsterdam at night, it's slightly intimidating/terrifying if you accidentally wind up in the Red Light District unexpectedly. (LOL now- but GTFO then).
***Also, Coffee Shops don't sell coffee.

Up above the clouds

E: the best letter in AmstErdam

oooh ahhh

Couldn't be happier

Can't believe I saw my babes!

Get your hand off our Heiney!

such art

Rise and Shine Amsterdam