Amsterdam

After a night at Delirium Cafe, we woke up early the next morning and hopped on a train to get to our destination of Amsterdam. Just a hop, skip, and a jump, and we were there. We stepped out of the train, walked a few minutes, and the smell of marijuana hit us like walking into a brick wall. We walked around a bit until finally finding our hotel. The receptionist told us that there was only one rule that was imperative that we follow: you can only smoke marijuana in the rooms, not cigarettes. Only in Amsterdam. We also came to find out that the Red Light District was just on the other side of our hotel, ironically enough. So, we dropped off our belongings and went out in search of one of two edible things that Amsterdam is known for, pancakes. They had all sorts of savory and dessert pancakes, but considering it was before noon, I chose the savory pancakes topped with cheese, ham, and fried eggs.

After yet another overindulgent meal, we walked around and stumbled upon the Red Light District. For those of you whom have experienced this, I need not say more. For those whom have not, it is something worth seeing only if you think you can handle it. It was an intense scene of just a whole block of separate windows, each with at least one semi-nude woman standing there. Some were staring into space, some were walking around the little room, a few were attempting to lure in the few men that walked by. It was an incredibly vile scene and left me feeling extremely violated and disgusted with the fact that these people are living their lives like this. Truly an awful situation.

On another serious note, we left here and found Anne Frank's house. Although we were prohibited from taking photographs while inside, the mental pictures of their home that I have will forever be engraved in my brain. Throughout the home, there are little phrases that are written on the walls, taken directly from Anne Frank's diary. It was as if she was telling her story and the house helps to bring her story to life. We were enveloped by the reality, her reality, those few years ago when she and her family were forced to live in such close quarters. We were able to look at the blacked out windows that forced her and her family to be separated from the freedom of the outside world, left only to her imagination and memory of what the outside world was. Being in the home was an overwhelming experience, to say the least, but such a privilege to see it and feel it for myself.

After leaving the more historical part of the city, we decided to head back to where our hotel was and experience Amsterdam for ourselves. We soaked in the atmosphere and ambience of a city that combines history with the art of the modern world into such a unique experience.