The last leg of the trip was four days in Amsterdam. The drive was going to be quite the leg with six hours ahead of us. We broke the trip into a stop in the most delicious cheese in the world. Yes, there’s a Gouda in the Netherlands but pronounced more like a How-da. They have amazing different types of Gouda, which we sampled and bought, a delicious stop.
Next stop. Amsterdam. We parked the van at a park-and-ride and then began our adventure.
Amsterdam is a really interesting city. Bikes constantly are driving by transporting suits, babies, and tourists. The city has designated bike pathways and even some traffic lights. The coffee shops give off whiffs of pot from the open stores, while the cafes include.. well coffee. That’s confusing.
Canals meander through the entire city, and we came at the right time. It was absolutely gorgeous out, with no rain whatsoever.
I also realized that Amsterdam is the Las Vegas of Europe. Red light district, coffee shops, modern city – Jason mentioned the UK always has their bachelor parties there, and we saw many bachelor/ette parties-in-progress on our travels.
Jason took Bridget and I out to the red light district one night. He walked us through the streets where the prostitutes would entice visitors in their window. One came out after me as well, but she didn’t take coupons… j.k. No matter what you sell, there are pushy salespeople.
The girls at red light district are interestingly beautiful. They do have parts for different fetishes a bit-more cushion in one area then leads you into a section that quickly turns into the Playboy models. These girls fly in from other countires to make additional cash.
Jason then led us to a cobblestone that looked like a boob. In the red light district, it surrounds an abandoned church. And behind it was this metal cobblestone in the shape of a breast. Apparently an artist quickly switched out his boob stone for a cobblestone one night. The city removed it, and then Amsterdam complained, so they put it back. As Jason is telling us this story, an Italian person come out and tell us how much he hates Amsterdam with the church right in the middle of the red light district. … Okay, guy that is at the red light district late on a Sunday and giving us a moral lesson.
We then headed to the sailor bar, which was popular as sailor’s went and did their deed at the red light district. It was a great, little pub to have a Guinness. We ran into a group of guys who really really wanted to take a “selfie” with Americans. “You americans love Selfie.. come friends, get in my selfie picture.” Then he brought out a camera on a pole, his friends crowded around, and we were in his selfie.
Amsterdam is really pretty. We were able to see Jason’s old houseboat, and his old farm. In fact the last day, Jason took us to the fanciest lunch I’ve ever had. The setting was this garden where the restaurant used its own food. I had octopus for the first time as well, not bad. I didn’t even get ink on my hands…
Overall, Amsterdam we relaxed and enjoyed our final days. We had a nice run through a park one morning. We took a canal tour. I also visited the Anne Frank house by myself. That was humbling. But, it was a good reflection again on WWII and the stories of the human spirit.
We also visited the Van Gogh museum, which was amazing. It was funny because everyone at the museum was having whispering conversations. Well, except for Nixon. He loved the stroller that the museum provided. And he started to have fun. So, imagine this three floor art museum, lined with some of the best art within humankind, and you have little Nixon screaming AHHHHHH in his stroller with a big smile… and every so often, he’d tried to suck on his toe. He was excited, and having fun. I gladly took him around as he excitedly screamed.
We also were able to meet up with Anya, Ken, little Luke, and Suzy. We went to a few markets together and had a meal at some expensive Indonesian place. It was good to see them. Bridget and I also bought a painting which now hangs in our living room.
And then… that was our trip. We flew home sadly. We were exhausted, tired, and glad to be back. But what a great trip.
It really made me think about the time I spend at work vs. family. And how much I loved times like this.