High Ho, Its Off To Amsterdam We Go | Day 29

The train to Amsterdam was certainly one of the earlier ones I have taken on this trip. The train left at 8am and was a 6 hour ride. I had set my alarm for 6:30am so I could hit the snooze button a few times before actually getting up. When it went off I regretted my decision for an early train. I rolled out of bed packed the last few things I had and then hit the lobby to check out. The Uber driver wasn’t to far from the hotel and it was still gloomy and chilly out after last night’s storm. He arrived and we headed for the train station. 

The station was pretty crowded and there were 30 or so people standing in front of the board waiting for their platform to be posted. I stood with the crowd and finally mine was posted to track 11. It is always clear who is on your train because when the platform is posted we all turn and walk in the same direction. I headed for the platform and I think for the first time I finally understood what the board was displaying above the platform. You are assigned a specific seat on a specific car and the board tells you what letter you should stand in front of for your specific car. This but of knowledge would have helped quite a bit back in some of the earlier stations. Instead of trying to quickly see which car was going by and then hustling to it I could have just read the board and stood in the correct area the whole time haha. I walked to letter C and waited for the train. It arrived and I quickly boarded and found my way to my 6 seater cabin. Unlike the times before, there was another older man sitting in the cabin. He looked at me, and I looked at him. I put my smaller roller up on the rack but the bigger one is just to big so it lived on the floor on my side of the cabin. It hasn’t happened yet but I’m sure it will where the cabin will be mostly filled and leaving my large back on the ground won’t work out. Until then, it lives on the floor. I got out my computer to do some work and he got up and left. He left his bags but just stood up and left. I gathered he was heading to the snack car and would return. About 5 minutes later another gentleman came to the cabin and asked if someone else was sitting here. I told him there was but he left and would be back. The dude walked off but then returned a moment later and sat in one of the seats. The other gentleman didn’t come back for the entire 6 hours haha. Only when we were about to the station did he come back for his stuff. The ride was pretty uneventful and I tried to stay focused on my computer work but my eyes got to tired and had to take a short nap. Aside from the nap, I worked along and finally we arrived in Amsterdam.

Dumped all my stuff off of the train and followed the crowd to the station exit. Amsterdam is built in a half circle and is divided like a rainbow by canals. I looked at the metro route but that didn’t seem to let me off as close to the hotel as I had wanted so I opted for an Uber. As you walk out of the station you take your life in your own hands attempting to cross the bike path to get to the Uber pickup. When I say bike path really it is a small street with bikers going in both directions. Not just a few by the way. There are dozens of bikers and like Frogger you have to pick the right time to make your move. Made it across without taking out any cyclists and found my way to the Uber pickup. The couple that stood next to me also stood next to me at the Berlin station and the girlfriend/wife asked what he would like to do first. He promptly replied, “lets drop our bags at the hotel and then lets some A TON OF WEED!” Haha it is no surprise why people come to Amsterdam. Shoot, that is why I came here. Everyone in the states hears of Amsterdam and all the craziness so might as well come once in your life and see it. I chuckled at his reply and he looked over smiling. They were from Australia and had got to China, Dubai, and then to Amsterdam. Their Uber arrived just before mine and they were off to hopefully find all the weed he could handle. 

I am so glad I opted for the Uber because it took a while to navigate the streets. The town was a whole lot more crowded than I thought it would be. I had always seen these tranquil photos of the canals and bridges but in reality it was slammed. How anyone drives in that city too is beyond me. We did the 5 D’s of dodgeball and worked our way to the hotel. When we arrived there was a bit of construction on the street so I was dropped off on the opposite side. I entered the tiny door to the hotel and was greeted by a middle aged lady. Some of my friends said that I must extend because there is just so much “stuff” to see and do. I inquired with her about an extension but she told me that the hotel was sold out. I knew I could always go on to Hotels.com and find another hotel if needed. She did tell me that when I left the hotel I needed to drop my key off as that is the only one in existence. Was a bit different haha. I headed up to my room to find that I had a balcony. That was a pretty cool featured that I didn’t know I had. However, a few moments later I heard a door close and I looked up to see an employee taking the trash out haha! It was a balcony alright but also the trash area. I plopped all my stuff on the bed and decided to just take a walk. By the time I headed out the door it was already 4pm so didn’t feel like taking my whole backpack. The lady at the front desk told me I should go to the Dam Square which was one of the largest in Amsterdam. She also said, not surprisingly, to go check out the Red Light District. I thanked her and started my stroll. 

I didn’t particularly have a direction except for the Dam Square. There were people everywhere. They were on the metro, in cafes, walking the streets, riding bikes, and driving cars. I brought up the square on my map and started heading toward it. I wandered the streets and diverted to alley ways connecting the main streets. I hit a street that had a ton of shopping. High end department stores, jewelry stores, the works. Sneakers are a big thing here and I passed 4 or 5 of them within 3 blocks. I reached the square and the largest building on it by far was the Royal Palace. It was built as the town hall by the wealthiest people starting in 1648. I walked along side the palace and started to reach an area that is what people think Amsterdam is like. There started to be pubs, coffee shops, marijuana paraphernalia, and souvenir shops. I was thirsty and decided to pop in to one of the pubs that was showing the football match called Hot or Not. They didn’t serve food but they had a lofty beer selection. I found a seat on the railing and everyone was watching the Germany football match. I enjoyed my beer as I watched all the people go by. Every so often you would get whiff of the herb. Half time hit and figure it was time to move on. It wasn’t even close to being dark yet and everyone had said the Red Light District is lame before dark so when I got to the next block there was another bar that looked fun. Cafe Emmelot was slammed on the patio. There were openings at the bar so I took a seat. I’m not sure they had a bar back to help with the dirty glasses because they were stacking up on my side of the bar. The waitress came hustling back to the bar and seemd to be a bit flustered. The bartender came to take whatever order she had and it was for 5 Fireballs and, 4 beers, 2 teas, and a water. She rushed back out to the table and I was able to order my beer. I started to drink it when she came back with the same flustered face. She told the bartender 5 more shots of Fireball. I looked at her and said. “they might single handedly be keeping Fireball in business out there.” She laughed and introduced herself. Marianne was nice and she had ordered some food from the Chinese place around the corner that was to spicy for her even though she ate it all. I commented on that and she told me she wasn’t a big spice person but was hungry. She then asked me if I wanted a Fireball shot. I told her that if I want to survive the night I shouldn’t but I would love one. She poured 2. One for me and one for her. I could see how this bar worked haha. We cheers’d and knocked them back. At that moment an older man further down the bar looked over and inquired if I was from the states. I told him I was and his accent led on that he was from Australia. He shifted down the bar and sat next to me. Terry was extremely nice and his daughter was out with the kids doing some museums that he had already seen so the bar was his location for the day. We talked for a good long while, and only because he forced me, he bought we a few beers. It had started to get dark and I needed some food especially after some beer and Fireball. I cashed out from the bar and I don’t think the bartender had realized that Terry had bought my beers so he asked for my card. It was alright, and I paid my tab. The Chinese food looked good so I decided to walk over there. It was just across the bridge but with the staying light late thing I didn’t realize what time it was and it was closed.

That was a bit of a blow haha because I was actually looking forward to Chinese food. Dow the alley next to the Chinese place some window frames with red lights could be seen. I must have been close to the Red Light District. People up and down the block were heading down alleys and streets headed in that direction. I followed the crowd and sure enough hit the district. Whatever you think it is is like you are part right and part wrong. The Red Light District is set on one canal called Oudezijds Achterburgwal. On either side it is lined with bars, peep shows, windows, strip clubs, and sex shops. You would think that is is lawlessness and just over run with dudes but you would be wrong. Actually, incredibly wrong. Is it mainly guys? Yes. However, there are a large population of girls and families, even with young kids. People just stroll up and back taking it all in. Probably the most irritating thing, to me, is when you walk back a window with a girl in it they knock, kick, and yell from behind it. The windows are owned by the property owner and they rent them out to the girls so I understand the hustle. Everyone of course looks but just keeps walking. You can spend a ton of time just walking around and soaking it all in. The total area is about 5 or 6 blocks and then you turn around at a bridge and head back. Another thing that is rough is that there are a ton of street dealers. Every block I ran in to someone trying to sell me cocaine or molly. They even have signs posted that say “Don’t buy from street dealers.” It is for a sure a place that you can find whatever you are looking for. I walked back and forth a few times and then needed food. Like the Chinese place most spots were closed except a pizza spot. I dipped inside and ordered a pepperoni and mushroom pizza. The kid at the next table over asked me where I was from to which I replied, “Hawaii” He wanted to chat and we did for 20 or so minutes. I ate my pizza while we chatted and after a while he looked at his phone and recognized he needed to go. He stood up and walked off. I paid my meal and walked off. I cruised the district a little longer and then figured it was time to head home. As I started to make my way back up the canal there was a group of kids in front of me that kept asking each other about the windows. Mainly they wanted to know about pricing. They must have speculated for blocks. One of them turned around and saw me and brought me in to the conversation. I certainly didn’t know the answer but I said, “lets find out.” I walked towards one of the windows and one of the kids behind me goes, “holy shit he is actually going to ask.” The rest were a bit stunned because its one thing to question but another to actually go up and ask. The door opened and the girl said, “hey baby.” I asked what the going rate was and she replied, “$100 for 20 minutes.” She attempted to get me inside but that wasn’t going to happen. I returned the the group to report the findings. They all were a bit surprised with the report and one said, “thanks for asking bro cuz we weren’t.” HAHA! That made me laugh and they walked off with their new found knowledge. I continued down the canal and headed for home. I reached home, collected my key, and headed off to bed. I am kind of glad that I wasn’t able to extend because this place is like Vegas. I can see people come here for a weekend of fun and then leave. If I had to stay here for 3 or more days I would go insane. An adventurous day to say the least and will take tomorrow to actually walk around with my camera and shoot. Amsterdam day 1 in the books.