Paris ended up a two night stop over before my last
continental destination. A couple of people I met were also coming to
the end of there epic travel across Europe, and invited me to finish off
with them in Amsterdam. I liked the idea of getting in one last cheeky
country before arriving in the UK; so while they went via Rome for a
couple of days, I took the night coach up to Holland. Unfortunately they got sick in Rome and had to cut there trip shit, but these things happen.
After getting off the coach in the morning, I proceeded to
walk in completely the opposite direction to where I wanted to go.
Looking back that was hard work to be so completely off, but it was 6 in
the morning I figured I had time to explore. There were no shops or
cafe's open, so I wandered into tranquil suburbs not passing a single
early riser, till I finally stumbled across a train station to discover
how far I was from where I actually wanted to be. A short ride later, and a point to the nearest hostel had
me safe. Dropping my bags off, I was just in time to catch the calling
for the free walking tour starting in fifteen minutes, so with no time
lost I was out exploring the city.
What ever you're there for, you can't help but love it.
From Rembrandt to red lights, history and 'highly' profitable
businesses, and a everything in between is on the table. But it's the
laid back mind set that makes it work like "thish ish not a problem, why
don't we taxsh thish". Maybe it's my rose tinted glasses, but I don't
think I have met a more chilled group of people than residents of
Amsterdam, it's just as though they don't waist any time in circular
arguments. Just be careful where you use your camera.
I spent a couple of days taking in the sights and it wasn't
long before I was thoroughly convinced that if I still smoked weed, I'd
love to move here. It's a city pleasing to the eye, with humour around
every corner, sprawling parks, rich history and handsome canals, but
it's the ambiance of the lifestyle here and that no one has anything bad
to say that makes it such a wonderful place.
The last couple of days, didn't go out with a party, just
an effort to see more as my deadline of travels end came closer.
Apparently you can't see Van Gough's work while holding a skateboard, so
I went to the Anne Frank house. It's a really well put together museum,
non essential viewing of being there, but worth the look. I bought the
book and before I knew it, my time was up on the continent. It was time
to head to the ferry, and the final hotfoot through the UK.
Amsterdam street seen, removed, then restored by popular demand
The tourists might be a bit more rowdy than the locals
Pleasant little walk into the centre
Because it not all drugs and prositutes
No comments:
Post a Comment