It was so odd to pack up in Copenhagen with our backpacks and say, "on to the next." But, so glad we did. Amsterdam was incredible.
After a short flight Friday night where we took a much needed nap- we landed at Schipol airport. As Maria and I write this blog we literally don't even remember a thing about it! We were exhausted. However, getting into the city was so easy via train and once we got there we were at Central Station. It was so so so big! Public transportation here was so easy and convenient.
We met our host and he took us out for some noodles and a glass of wine and we were DONE. We would need that rest because we did NOT stop the next two days.
We woke up Saturday morning ready to hit the streets! Our apartment was in the middle of everything-the location couldn't have been better. We walked down to the museum area where we found beautiful canals, beautiful buildings and this...
We had seen this at least 6372946 times online and couldn't wait to see it in real time. Then we stood there and took 6372946 pictures trying to capture the moment. However, believe it or not, we didn't take as many pictures as this guy...
Afterwards, we ventured over to the Van Gogh museum. Seriously, it was so neat to be in front of all the original paintings we have seen in books all our lives. We were both really struck by "The Sunflower" and the "The Iris." Also, we were both really shocked by how many paintings were in the museum considering that there are so many other ones across the world.
After the Van Gogh museum we went to the Heineken Brewery- and as bad as this might sound-it was one of our most favorite parts of the trip! It was so well done and it helped that after the tour we went to the roof to have the best burger either one of us have ever had in our life! We enjoyed a beer on the rooftop and sat on a bean bag overlooking all of Amsterdam. Such a cool experience. Everywhere we went there was Heineken- it really is a huge part of their lifestyle. Considering also you can drink in the streets- it really was everywhere!
After the Van Gogh museum we went to the Heineken Brewery- and as bad as this might sound-it was one of our most favorite parts of the trip! It was so well done and it helped that after the tour we went to the roof to have the best burger either one of us have ever had in our life! We enjoyed a beer on the rooftop and sat on a bean bag overlooking all of Amsterdam. Such a cool experience. Everywhere we went there was Heineken- it really is a huge part of their lifestyle. Considering also you can drink in the streets- it really was everywhere!
After a long day of touring we went home to nap before Sensation. All this time we had waited for this massive party and BOOM- it was here!! It was the coolest experience ever! Everyone in the entire Amsterdam Arena was decked out in white from head to toe. The lights were everywhere and the music was electric! Sooo, as we are fist pumping the night away with the bands on our arms that lit up- we met someone we will never forget. We made friends with these guys....
Sure enough- these guys are the founders and owners of the product that all 50,000 people in the arena were wearing on their arms. I know, we didnt believe it at first either, buuuut then they showed us their product on their phones! We are now VIP guests of theirs to Sensation New York. How we needed up next to them- who knows. Buttt, this is how we feel about it....can't stop smiling!!!
Other notable photos from Sensation..
We walked into Sensation in the daylight and walked out of Sensation in the daylight. We saw the sunrise over the canals as we crawled into our beds at 630 am. After a long "nap" we decided it was time to get on the move! As you can see- there is a theme here... NAPS! (One of the many reasons we are great travel buddies). We went down to the canal tours and chilled along the water where we saw the Opera, a three story bike shed with bikes on top of one another, diplomat homes, and some of the most beautiful and interesting houses I had ever seen in my life.
It doesn't take much to be entertained in this city. The scenery and people make for the most culture atmosphere that is impossible to get enough of!
Still recovering from Sensation we took one more nap before heading out to the Red Light District and our hosts concert. The Red Light District was really a blur. To be honest I couldn't even process what was happening and it was pretty brutal to watch. The women were all so beautiful and not knowing their stories really broke our hearts. It was hard to walk away without being pretty shocked but we did acknowledge the fact that at least this enables some type of control on prostitution- whereas its so undercover everywhere else, it creates more danger and risks for these women.
It was nice to leave here and head towards our next destination which relieved the heaviness of the situation! We are staying with a musician and he had been in Asia the last 6 weeks with his band traveling. He and his band had a show at the Sugar Factory which for those of you in DC it's pretty much the 9:30 club. He is in a modern jazz band and plays the keys- and they coupled with a DJ and a R&B/pop singer who reminded me of Jill Scott and they improvised off each other all night! It was AMAZING! The best dance party I have ever been to. The BEST. We kept saying, " One more song, one more song and we will leave. Then 2 hours later, we left. Literally did not stop moving until 4am.
I wish so badly I could explain how crazy the streets were! I have never seen anything like it. Everyone in Amsterdam has a bike or motorcycle. Children of every age sit in wagons on the back or front of the bike- friends ride on a seat on the back and infants ride on the handle bars in a little seats. Seriously, nuts! Everyone also has their own sets of rules- even the walkers! In a small street the size you would see in a small town there are bikes,scooters, motorcycles, tram, cars, and busses. It's absolute mayhem. I am not even sure there is a right side of the street. We saw so many close calls- but nothing happened- guess they've found a way to make it work!
Waking up this morning and packing was really tough! We are kind of sad to leave butttt heading to Greece does make it a lot easier! Amsterdam was beautiful, the people were friendly, and it was the perfect mix of chill and fun! I definitely would want to visit here again!
Peace. Love. Amsterdam.
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