I could live in this city
Saturday 29th March
We have arrived in Amsterdam. The hotel room is musty so I have opened the window to let the fresh air inside. Trams and cars whiz by very noisily. Mr N is ‘resting’ his eyes whilst I force mine to stay awake.
I am writing this at a local time of 5.11pm. Australian time it is really 2.11am. I feel like I am on a sleep deprived, over walked, over stimulated, slightly over eaten and fuelled up zombie tour.
What an amazingly beautiful city. Everything I thought it would be, plus more. The city to us seems, relaxed and easy going….and CLEAN! Hello, only one dog poo on our walk through the streets! Compared to my last visit to Europe (well Italy) where walking on the pavement was an extremely risky part of the day!
We arrived just after 6.30am this morning, checked into the hotel, but couldn’t have the room until after 2 this afternoon. So the entire day has been spent walking the streets. We walked with a tour group which was great and I have to say a new experience for me…we are usually a ‘do it yourself tourist’. However I figure that because we have such a short amount of time here, we need a little assistance.
A very cheap, relaxed tour guide, by the name of Shaun, led us around many different parts of the city , some touristy, some not. We have walked and walked and walked. Weaved ourselves throughout the streets, stopping only for food and alcohol. Watching the tourists and locals crowd the streets. Veered ourselves around the extraordinary amount of bicycles. Inhaled the “unique smell” of the local coffee shops, felt the icy winds on our finger tips and cheeks, eaten piping hot chips, freshly cooked soup, waffles and finally finished the day with 3 or more shots of some distinctly local brew from Wynand Fockink.
My tiredness feels like I am not making sense. I need a shower and some dinner. If I can just hang out for another 3 hours I will be fine. Don’t fall asleep, don’t fall asleep. I’ll write more soon when I cam more coherent.
Sunday 30th March
I fell asleep. Didn’t make it to dinner, but I now feel ready for the day ahead. Sunday in Amsterdam awaits before our train departs this evening to Brussels.
Hey, you were in Amsterdam!! We could've waved!
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!
Posted by: Mirre | May 17, 2008 at 12:57 AM
could you get me a dozen tulips please? this is gorgeous!!! this looks like a fantastic trip!!
Posted by: nathalie | April 08, 2008 at 02:42 PM
I wrote in your last post..Is your trip soon? I guess the answer is YES!!!!
Have a great time!!!
Posted by: Kirsty | April 01, 2008 at 09:53 AM
I have almost forgotten how beautiful Amsterdam is. I think that you will miss it when you are once in Brussels.
Posted by: Pina | March 31, 2008 at 03:39 PM
I have been led to your blog recently by links from other craft blogs. This whole wonderful world of craft blogging only just revealed itself to me recently when googling the word ragdoll. I am from Denmark, but live in Brussels. Before that me and my american husband lived in Canberra, Australia :-) Our 2 year old son was born there. We miss Australia a LOT, and dream of going back some day. If you need a "local" guide while in Brussels, feel free to email :-))) I might be able to drag you a little off the beaten track.
Enjoy your trip!
Cheers,
Rikke
Posted by: Rikke Alminde Bendtsen | March 31, 2008 at 08:12 AM
yay, so excited to see you've arrived xxx
Posted by: sarah | March 31, 2008 at 07:36 AM
Fabulous shots, especially the tulips. Am so envious. Have a fabulous time and TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES FOR THE REST OF US!
Posted by: greenolive | March 31, 2008 at 07:16 AM
oh, I'm so envious! Have a wonderful time, and can't wait to hear more about your adventures.
Posted by: emma | March 31, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Hello
OOh I love hearing about people's trips...Amsterdam is one city I would still love to see.
I feel like this is the year we travel a bit - I'm going to Paris with 2 friends in a few weeks, eeek, its going to feel so strange leaving the kids..
Looking forward to keeping up with your blog!
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
x
Posted by: Jasmine | March 31, 2008 at 05:31 AM
Thank you so much for sharing your vacation with us. I can't wait to hear more. I hope you have a great time.
Posted by: Toi | March 31, 2008 at 01:38 AM
Hope the jetlag disappears very soon so you can enoy the city even more. Photos are great (love the pink tulpen) ;)
Posted by: Zoe | March 30, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Welcome to my country Tiel! I love your post and Wynand Fockink too. Holland is paved with bicycles! Like Do said, I’m so used to it, I don’t notice them anymore.
Enjoy the rest of your stay and have a wonderful time in Brussels (Brugge) and Paris!
Posted by: nicolette | March 30, 2008 at 08:26 PM
Sounds like you are already having a fabulous trip! I hope you enjoyed Sunday in Amsterdam (there are markets somewhere I know!)
Posted by: Di | March 30, 2008 at 07:11 PM
i loved amsterdam too, it is many years now since i was there, but your description brings back the memories!
Posted by: broderie | March 30, 2008 at 06:55 PM
Those tulips alone make me want to jump on the Eurostar! Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Posted by: Ali | March 30, 2008 at 06:40 PM
Welcome to my country ;) I like Amsterdam a lot as well. I find it funny that you are wondering about the 'extraordinary amount' of bycicles :) as I am used to it. I do everything by bike.
Have a great time in Amsterdam and in Belgium!
Posted by: Do | March 30, 2008 at 06:34 PM
Wow, So great to hear you like Amsterdam, i like Wynand Fockink too, hope you have a great stay and more postive experience today and have lots of fun in Paris and brussel too.
Posted by: erika | March 30, 2008 at 05:28 PM