Okay in Cochem there was a lack of Wi-Fi, in Munich on the first night there was EXTREMELY slow internet and now I finally uploaded all my photos I have on Facebook and added captions from Amsterdam to Munich so go see them!
Windsor
Brussels
Brugge
Amsterdam
Cochem
Munich
I don't know if I will post too many pictures here. My computer is really slow and I don't always have hours of internet :( I'll try to write though!
And by the way the Oktoberfest was AMAZING! xxx
27 September 2010
21 September 2010
Day 1 in Amsterdam!
Amsterdam... What can I say? It's like trying to commit suicide walking on the streets. You're trying to cross the road. One moment, you're looking out for the trams. The next, there are several cars are coming and coming fast. And in both directions. Then, someone one his bike is ringing the hell at you. He isn't slowing, so you better run because there are more of them. Then you bump into other pedestrians and when you reach the curb, you realize you're just inches away from having the street car run you over. It's hell on the road... But what can I say? It's a one-of-a-kind experience. It makes me smile every time I survive all these whenever I get to the other side of the street. And now, I have someone to laugh with!
Emelie and I bought some Greek salad and potato chips and sneaked and sat behind a hotel car park and ate our breakfast there. Like hobos. It rained in the morning and we were chased out of our cheap hotel, the Quentin Arrive, and had nowhere to go so we sought shelter there. We were almost done when the hotel guy chatted us up and told us bon appetit. He was really friendly. I might have liked him there for a minute! :)
Oh, did I mention the potential of Dutch males? I've seen so many today that made me go "omgomgomgomg" and adjust my hair and all but today wasn't my day. I haven't washed my hair and I look a mess! You know, I even followed this man for 5 minutes at the Van Gogh Museum today just because he looked like a midget Zachary Quinto AND smelled SERIOUSLY good. Some major cologne pour le homme right there.
Look at that, that's DANGER coming from ALL directions. You have to add in the pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers! :(
I visited the Van Gogh Museum today for free with the I Amsterdam card. It cost me 48 Euros for 48 hours with unlimited transportation and free entrances and 25% discounts on a lot of food and shops in Amsterdam. The Van Gogh Museum was thoroughly interesting. I wasn't very artsy but I enjoyed it well enough. It was just amazing to witness in person, Van Gogh's paintings! There was also a little section for Claude Monet, whose works I personally enjoy more. No photography was allowed in there, and I didn't take one of me and a sign... Because the sign wasn't nice and there were a lot of people and queue lines and all. I have the ticket, though, and I'll take it together with the OV chipkaart (transport card) and the I Amsterdam card tomorrow or something!
That's the Royal Palace under renovation of sorts. :( And that FAMOUS I Amsterdam sign!
Lunch was a 1.95 Euro Cheeseburger meal from Burger King! Such a steal! Snacked here and there along the way. There is NO way I could go without food. I drink a bottle a week though. But I still tend to need the bathroom like once every hour. I'm sure it's due to the fact I sweat WAY less here.
Some English guy doing some stunt. I didn't stay though, because I didn't want to feel bad about not giving money!
With the I Amsterdam card, we got this free tea and coffee at De Bijenkorf, some posh department store. We hung out there for a while and sorted out things, and planned our itinerary for Tuesday!
Strangely, this Dutch fries stall is called Manneken Pis! I had a small fries. And it was still a LOT! Cost me 2.50 Euros.
Somehow, I find the Eiffel Tower one amazing. Last row, fifth from your right. Right!?
Bicycles EVERYWHERE! And there are also a lot of pretty boathouses.
I found it interesting they had Chinese street signs, too. I think I was somewhere in Chinatown... Or Little Asia!
Some streets kids HAVE to be accompanied by adults. Such signs are often in alleys or red light streets. Obviously!
Strange doors, don't you think?
You can see the red lights. These are the "windows" where the prostitutes stand behind in bikinis and neon lights to attract men... Or women, I don't know. (I obviously didn't take pictures of the girls. Respect!) I think they charge 35-55 Euros for blowjobs alone, and pay 75 Euros or something like that for a room/window for a few hours of "work". That's the world's oldest profession for you! I read it in an Amsterdam guide book!
Strange cows... Strange shop. I forgot what it sold.
Waiting for the tram back to Elise and Casper's place. We realized, after 20 freezing minutes, that we were waiting at the wrong area...
This is Casper! I don't have one yet of Elise. They're both AMAZING. I felt so at home. The apartment was small and cozy and they even had an air mattress for us, two sleeping bags, blankets, towels, food, tea, fruits and so much for us... And they even let us do our laundry! They're interesting and caring. I can't wait to have dinner with them tomorrow night! Also, they left us their house key. They're so trusting! That's the magic of Couchsurfing. Even Emelie is impressed by the hospitality. We're planning to buy them wine or something. Chocolates, yes?
We have a long day ahead tomorrow. The Heineken Beer Tour, Rembrandt's house, Anne Frank's house, canal ride, free croquettes, the windmills and tulips... Truly a Dutch experience to be had. Hope you enjoyed my first day in Amsterdam!
Emelie and I bought some Greek salad and potato chips and sneaked and sat behind a hotel car park and ate our breakfast there. Like hobos. It rained in the morning and we were chased out of our cheap hotel, the Quentin Arrive, and had nowhere to go so we sought shelter there. We were almost done when the hotel guy chatted us up and told us bon appetit. He was really friendly. I might have liked him there for a minute! :)
Oh, did I mention the potential of Dutch males? I've seen so many today that made me go "omgomgomgomg" and adjust my hair and all but today wasn't my day. I haven't washed my hair and I look a mess! You know, I even followed this man for 5 minutes at the Van Gogh Museum today just because he looked like a midget Zachary Quinto AND smelled SERIOUSLY good. Some major cologne pour le homme right there.
Look at that, that's DANGER coming from ALL directions. You have to add in the pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers! :(
I visited the Van Gogh Museum today for free with the I Amsterdam card. It cost me 48 Euros for 48 hours with unlimited transportation and free entrances and 25% discounts on a lot of food and shops in Amsterdam. The Van Gogh Museum was thoroughly interesting. I wasn't very artsy but I enjoyed it well enough. It was just amazing to witness in person, Van Gogh's paintings! There was also a little section for Claude Monet, whose works I personally enjoy more. No photography was allowed in there, and I didn't take one of me and a sign... Because the sign wasn't nice and there were a lot of people and queue lines and all. I have the ticket, though, and I'll take it together with the OV chipkaart (transport card) and the I Amsterdam card tomorrow or something!
That's the Royal Palace under renovation of sorts. :( And that FAMOUS I Amsterdam sign!
Some English guy doing some stunt. I didn't stay though, because I didn't want to feel bad about not giving money!
With the I Amsterdam card, we got this free tea and coffee at De Bijenkorf, some posh department store. We hung out there for a while and sorted out things, and planned our itinerary for Tuesday!
Strangely, this Dutch fries stall is called Manneken Pis! I had a small fries. And it was still a LOT! Cost me 2.50 Euros.
Bicycles EVERYWHERE! And there are also a lot of pretty boathouses.
I found it interesting they had Chinese street signs, too. I think I was somewhere in Chinatown... Or Little Asia!
Some streets kids HAVE to be accompanied by adults. Such signs are often in alleys or red light streets. Obviously!
Strange doors, don't you think?
You can see the red lights. These are the "windows" where the prostitutes stand behind in bikinis and neon lights to attract men... Or women, I don't know. (I obviously didn't take pictures of the girls. Respect!) I think they charge 35-55 Euros for blowjobs alone, and pay 75 Euros or something like that for a room/window for a few hours of "work". That's the world's oldest profession for you! I read it in an Amsterdam guide book!
Strange cows... Strange shop. I forgot what it sold.
Waiting for the tram back to Elise and Casper's place. We realized, after 20 freezing minutes, that we were waiting at the wrong area...
This is Casper! I don't have one yet of Elise. They're both AMAZING. I felt so at home. The apartment was small and cozy and they even had an air mattress for us, two sleeping bags, blankets, towels, food, tea, fruits and so much for us... And they even let us do our laundry! They're interesting and caring. I can't wait to have dinner with them tomorrow night! Also, they left us their house key. They're so trusting! That's the magic of Couchsurfing. Even Emelie is impressed by the hospitality. We're planning to buy them wine or something. Chocolates, yes?
We have a long day ahead tomorrow. The Heineken Beer Tour, Rembrandt's house, Anne Frank's house, canal ride, free croquettes, the windmills and tulips... Truly a Dutch experience to be had. Hope you enjoyed my first day in Amsterdam!
19 September 2010
Goedag!
I'm in Amsterdam!
I'm just chilling at our cheap hotel. We're too tired to move around. Oh. I have a friend with me now for I don't know yet how long. She's Émélie from French Canada. :)
Now I see a LOT of bicycles. EVERY SINGLE STREET has them locked or people trying to run you over with it.
Will explore soon. Meeting the Dutch couchsurfers tomorrow at noon!
-- Posted with BlogPress via iPhone --
I'm just chilling at our cheap hotel. We're too tired to move around. Oh. I have a friend with me now for I don't know yet how long. She's Émélie from French Canada. :)
Now I see a LOT of bicycles. EVERY SINGLE STREET has them locked or people trying to run you over with it.
Will explore soon. Meeting the Dutch couchsurfers tomorrow at noon!
-- Posted with BlogPress via iPhone --
18 September 2010
Scenic Brugge!
This is a little private courtyard called Hof Bladelin.
That's all from Brugge. If you ever come here, go to Bean Around The World and stay for at least two hours. You can hear all kinds of interesting conversations. People are friendly and curious, and there's a 10% discount for students, and there is free Wi-Fi! What else can any traveler ask for?
Tomorrow, I leave for Amsterdam! :)
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