If there is a place…

I don’t even know where to begin this blog about Amsterdam. My previous conceptions of this city pretty much consisted of 2 things, Legal “soft” drugs and windows lit by red lights. I’m pretty sure that I do not stand along with this idea of what this city would be like but I was pleasantly surprised to find much more to this city during my short 3 days here. This city is in no doubt something that I have never seen in my life, breaking all the rules and then some. But it had a great sense of culture, an extremely wide range of people, and a care-free mentality that I greatly appreciate.

The first that that I noticed when I got away from the train station was that there is water everywhere. Amsterdam is built largely around a system of canals. These canals make for some great photo opportunities as well as some really helpful landmarks to help find your way when you get lost. It seems like the water has taken its toll on some of the foundations of the building and caused them to go in all different directions. Either that or the people building them were spending far too much time at the “coffee shops.”

Don’t expect any pictures in this from the red light district. I guess it is really illegal and the girls will be the first ones to report you. I was not about to have my camera taken away for a few random nudie shots so I was happy to keep the camera to my side during these parts.

Architecture and such.

If you can notice in the background there is a sign for H&M. This store has completely taken over every city that I have been to having numerous locations in very small area. I can’t say that I am against seeing these stores though, the prices are not too bad and the quality/design is still there.

Ok so lets have a break from the typical photos that always seem to end up on my site. Amsterdam is known for sex and drugs so I figured it would be appropriate to share.

First off, down the street from us was a Sex Museum. I wont show you too many photos because it is graphic and my Mom reads my posts but I think you will get the idea of what this place consisted of.

Kelley’s mom is going to “thank” me for this one

“The Flasher”

Full commitment

I found my new love in Amsterdam

Great typography

Not something you see in store windows back at home

Also not something you see in most store windows back at home

RIP MJ

Kelley and I found a great italian restaurant in Amsterdam. The people who owned the place were awesome and the prices were reasonable for probably the best food that I have had over here SO FAR. Im saying so far because I am still going to Paris and Italy so I am sure that I will find lots of great food in those two places. But yeah, this food was amazing.

Random money from all over the world posted on the walls

Adding to the wall

Day 2:

Mini Cars are very popular in Europe and this is about as mini as they come.

This building was pretty cool. It seems that not only are the buildings crooked but the streets run in all sorts of directions as well.

Where the points meet

I had a pretty tough time remembering the street names here in Amsterdam. Safeword, safeword, safeword, safeword (credit: Eurotrip)

I just couldn’t do it. Maybe next time

Yes, I know.

Back to the typical Amsterdam stuff. “Smart Shops” sell all sorts of stuff that you cannot buy from a store pretty much anywhere in the world. From peyote to mushrooms, they pretty much have anything your tainted heart desires.

The menu (definitely leaving out some of the merchandise for legal purposes)

ps. I didnt buy anything from one of these shops (Hi, Mom and Dad)

Wandering

Anne Frank House/Huis

Breakfast of champions (at 1 in the afternoon)

Thanks for ruining my tourist photo

There was a skate contest going on in the city on more a more than legit mini ramp

These painted elephants were all around the city. This was the first one that I came across.

and this was the most ridiculous one I came across

The Van Gogh Museum is here in Amsterdam as well. It was pretty impressive to see a lot of his great works. If you go here though, don’t expect to see Starry Night and a few of his other more famous paintings. Regardless it was worth the 12.50 to get inside. Oh and there were no pictures allowed inside here

Random street art

Random guy swallowing a sword on the street.

Kelley found a shoe that fits her just right

“The Bulldog”

Best picture I’ve taken in Europe so far.

Off to Brussels, Belgium for a few days.