Hello Holland! Lets just say the Netherlands was a pleasant surprise. I didnt expect much from this country...it was a last minute stop-over, but man I loved it! What isnt there to love in a country that is known for cheese, windmills, bikes, tulips, being below sea level, clogs, red light districts and the legalization of marijuna? My personal favorite was the cheese. I bought a huge block of stinky old gouda and ate it in one sitting. Despite the fact that my stumach did not enjoy this afterwards, it was wonderful.
I ended up staying here with one of Bens friends from highschool, Ivan. Super nice guy who took the time to be my personal tour guide over the past three days. It did take me awhile to realize that I wasnt in Amsterdam though. I arrived in the airport (which was a half hour outside the city as they usually are), followed my directions to hop on a train to Den Haag, and then another one to Zootemetor Oost. That afternoon I went into Den Haag with him, which is the capital and important political center of the Netherlands. It took me about two hours of wondering around here before I stated " wow this really doesnt look like how I pictured Amsterdam". I was met with a "umm thats because were not in Amsterdam...". ohh what? I had to be shown a map before I understood. Den Haag was a half hour away from the airport in the opposite direction from Amsterdam. Then it made more sense! So I didnt get to spend as much time in amsterdam this way but I did get to see more of Holland. Den Haag was an interesting city with a lot of political history. My personal favorite was the giant (and I mean giant) blow up head of George Bush that sat in the middle of city hall. It was part of an art exhibit. The reason for blowing up a head of George bush? Well the artist simply described it as "its because there is nothing in there and I thought I would give a visual interpretation of the term 'airhead'". Pretty brilliant...and dont worry I took pictures. I also went to a traditional Dutch fishing village through the countryside. Holland really is a beautiful country...It is soooo green here. Driving down the road there are cannals on either side with boats cruising along, windmills in the distance and big gouda and clog factories everywhere.
As for Amsterdam. I spent two full days cruising around this city and it really blew my mind. It actually moved up into the number 2 spot of my all time favorite cities. So far this list looks like...1. Barcalona 2. Amsterdam 3. Naples and Istanbul (tied). Of course the red light district, sex museum and coffee shops were all cool, but the city just had such a unique and alive vibe to it. I loved all the cannals...had no idea that Amsterdam is like a more modern, better functioning and larger version of Venice. I loved all the bikers, the laid back atmosphere and beautiful buildings. This is the kind of city that I could live in...other then the fact that its expensive. When I walked past the downtown University I actually though "maybe they have some kind of education masters program...in english".
Anyhow I do need to begin wrapping this up since I have to catch my flight back to Canada soon! Crazy how fast time has gone by here...I actually hacve a hard time believing its been 5 months. So I bid everyone farwell! Thank you for reading my ramdon ramblings...I know it probably wasnt easy at times. I would say I miss you but I will be seeing you all (well maybe not all but some!) in less the 24 hours.
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