Amsterdam, Netherlands

Old Amsterdam architecture

    When we first arrived in Amsterdam I knew that  it would be a unique city.  Me and three of my friends had a private room in a hostel called Melvana. It was really nice to  have everyone stay nearby to enjoy the last weekend together. Once we got settled in we explored around town and ate at a pizza place.  We then went to the edge of the red light district and went to hostel bars where we saw some women in windows. I didnt know until then but the prostitution is a career in the Netherlands. they get a salary and government benefits as well. I also noticed that Amsterdam was extremely liberal in terms of sex and drugs because of the prostitution, nudity and legal marijuana.  For example you can go into a cafe and order a joint of a gram of weed for 7-10 euros and smoke wherever- very different from the US.  The next day we  had breakfast at a small Holland joint where they pride themselves on pancakes. I was feeling a little adventurous so I ordered one of the savoury pancakes with ham and pineapple. To my surprise it was really good! After we all went on the boat tours. There are three lines that go through different parts of Amsterdam. Since canals run through virtually every important part of Amsterdam, you can buy a one day pass and see all of Amsterdam  boatside. On the boat ride we saw the Ann Frank house,  The West Indian Trade Company boat, the famous Windmill,  Old traditional Holland architecture and various other historical sites. After the boat ride we went back to the hostel took a nap and started to get ready for our night out. That night it was my friends Kathryn and Becca's birthdays so we all went to a small Italian restaurant and then to a disco club outside the red light district. It was a lot of fun because they played all American rapp music.

Heineken Factory

Girls on boat ride

West Indian Trading Company boat

Famous Windmill

      The next day we slept in a little bit  and went to the Heineken factory. The  Heineken factory was probably my favourite part about Amsterdam. In the factory they showed you the ingredients they use to make the beer, the process to make it and even how to  properly pour and taste a beer.  That took up most of out day so after my friend Michelle and I  went to The Hard Rock Cafe... much needed American food. After dinner we all got changed and then went back to the bars outside the red light district and said our goodbyes. We retired kind of early because of our long travels ahead.