Bruges
We decided to take a day trip to Bruges before we traveled to Amsterdam. It was a recommendation by many people we met in Brussels. We arrived to find a very small city but a beautiful one. It is a canal city much like Amsterdam. It has swinging willow trees, quaint little shops, bistro style cafés, and a quiet atmosphere.
This is one of the smaller placer we have visited but no less amazing to visit. We had our packs on the entire time so we were a bit tired but that didn’t stop us from enjoying the day. We started with a canal tour where we couldn’t understand a word the boat driver said but the city kind of spoke for itself. Brugge has winding canals filled with ducks and swans.
The buildings are old and full of character. It really isn’t hard to just sit back, relax and enjoy the view. After we just explored, went into small alleyways where we found a secret garden and other small shops. We saw a lot of lace shops in Brussels but even more in Brugge, so I’m assuming lace is a huge traditional item created by Belgians. It was everywhere.
We finished our trek off in the city square where there were colorful houses in the typical Belgian style. After that we made our way back to the train station and took the train the Amsterdam.
Amsterdam
It was late when we arrived in Amsterdam but it stays light in Europe till 10 or 11 so we still had a lot of time to do things. Not going to lie, the first thing I noticed exiting the train station was a fleeting smell that we would encounter many times during our stay. The place smelled of marihuana. Now if you are not aware, in Amsterdam, marijuana is (not legal) but accepted and specifically not enforced. It is not legal to advertise that you sell it either, so the clever Amsterdam-ers have created a term for smoke shops called coffee shops. Now real coffee shops are called cafés. Keep that in mind for when you come here. And you should come here. People have this idea of what Amsterdam is based on their marijuana views or their infamous red light district but Amsterdam is so much more than that.
It is a vibrant and beautiful canal city with a rich history, fierce pride, a mass amount of open and accepting minds, and a laid back and friendly atmosphere. It is also interesting to note that this is a biking city. As in the bikes outnumber the people. They even have a holiday where they throw bikes in the river.
We stayed in a hostel called Van Gogh Hotel and it was located right across from…the Van Gogh museum, who would have guessed. It was a good hostel that I would give a 3.5 out of 5. It had clean and comfortable beds, good water pressure, decent sized rooms, wifi in the rooms, it is right next to the tram stop and the location is in walking distance of just about everything in the inner city. Don’t let the map fool you, you can walk everywhere. We walked from the train station to outer hostel and on the map it looks impossible, but it only took 20-30 minutes. Anyway, back to the hostel, the only downsides were that the staff isn’t very friendly or helpful, the elevator is terrifying, laundry is expensive at 9.50 euros, and there is only one bathroom per dorm room (so one bathroom for 8 people). I hope that helps if you are planning on staying there.
The night we arrived we went exploring and found a place to watch the game and eat some pizza. We kind of got roped into eating there because they have people to stand outside the place and tell you why you should eat there. This is everywhere in Amsterdam, but this particular guy was very attractive, Katie and I ended up eating there haha. The power of a cute guy.
Anyway after dinner we found a large pond next to a huge I Amsterdam sign and took some pictures but this is where met some really cool people who told is about Amsterdam. They gave us some really useful advice and we felt like we made some new friends at the end. Before then it is also funny to note that a few Spanish guys asked us to take their photos then they insisted that we be in the photos. It was weird haha. But nothing is stolen and we are alive so we just have a random photo of us with Spanish guys floating around on the internet. Got to love Amsterdam.
The next day we went to the Van Gogh museum and we were blown away. Van Gogh is such a talented man but what makes him so interesting is his story. He is man of passion and a depth of feeling that comes through in his works but also the many tales of his instability. Each work we viewed, I could truly feel his heart, the truth of his joyous happiness, tragic sadness, volatile anger, and all-consuming loneliness. He is expressive in the way only the broken can be. I was truly moved, especially since I studied his work. In my senior thesis class for undergrad I studied Japonisme which is when western artists were inspired by Japanese art, specifically wood block prints. Van Gogh was one of these artists and I used many of his works as examples. Seeing those works in person was staggering and unforgettable.
Afterwards, we went to the shop where I bought a souvenir but also where the store attendant told me I was beautiful and tried to ask me out. It was flattering to say the least. Going outside we saw a hilarious street performance but 7 guys who broke dance but mostly gave a comedy show. I took pictures but I forgot to put in my card so no pictures that morning . Anyway, we had a picnic on the bank of the pond from the previous night and tok the rest of the day to explore the immediate area of where we were staying.
That night Holland was playing (a team I can’t remember because they are not important) in the World Cup. There was a huge screen set up in a field where people from all over could come and watch it out on the grass. This was a blast and super entertaining as Holland took the lead. People were going nuts and it was fun to be a part of, especially since they won!
The next day we went straight into the inner city and took. A canal cruise that gave us some background on the city but what our next stop, the Sandman Free walking tour was 10x better. This is the third one we have taken and I can’t rave about them enough! They are the best people and knowledgeable about their city. Hebert was our guide this time and he was awesome.
I have come to love these tours and feel that they give me the best overview of the history of the place with a few interesting facts and traditions thrown in. Not to forget that this is a great way to learn how to get from place to place. Seriously look them up anywhere you go in Europe as you travel especially if you are on a budget, they are fabulous!
Then we went to the Anne Frank House. This was a truly moving experience, walking the corridors that a scared group of people called home for two years. Their fear and discomfort seemed to seep from the walls but so did their strength and hope. Theirs is only one of many such stories but Anne a Frank did an amazing thing by keeping hers written down, she stands as a symbol. A symbol of a strong people that were wrongly persecuted. I define lay recommend you go if you are in Amsterdam. It is a heady experience you will not soon forget. Anne Frank’s bookshelf is open, her story in the world forever, and it is our duty to never forget her story and all the ones we were not able to hear.
That night we ate our dinner by the pond again and went back to the hostel after to get a good nights rest in preparation for an early departure to Cologne, Germany.
Excuse this random tangent…I did not sleep well because these girls we stayed with went out at 2am. A lot of people we have encountered wear aerosol deodorant and it smells like hairspray to me. All 4 girls sprayed a least a gallon in the room at 2am in the morning, I was positive that was the way I was going to die. Headline: Tourist dies from aerosol deodorant suffocation. I saw the headline flash in my mind. I’ve come to hate this form of deodorant. Hostel life is never boring lol.
Atsuko Adventures 