On Friday we took the train to Amsterdam and we spent the entire day traveling. In Brussels we had to switch trains but we only had 10 minutes to get to the platform and we ran up the stairs just as the train was leaving. We knew that there would be a train every hour that would take us to Amsterdam but unfortunately, we didn’t realize that we needed to change platforms to catch the next train. Another two trains had come and gone and we finally made it to the correct platform to catch the third. We arrived at 8pm and decided to get cleaned up and wander around the city. Amsterdam is full of young., energetic, free spirits and we fit in right away. After a light dinner we headed toward the Red Light District and that was interesting…it ended up being a great night though!
For our first day we decided to rent bikes and do a bit of sightseeing. Amsterdam is famous for bikes and that became quite obvious once we tried to lock our bikes up. Thousands of bikes line the streets and it can be a challenge to find a spot for yours! We rented our bikes from Yellow Bike where there slogan is, “Experience Amsterdam the Dutch way.” 39 euros later we had three bikes for 24 hours. Our first stop was the Anne Frank House, which was definitely worth the wait. The museum lies in the jam making warehouse where the Frank family (along with a few other families) hid. Inside, we were able to see their hiding place known as the Secret Annex. This was a museum with a story and the experience was humbling.
After the museum we rode our bikes over bridges and through streets near the canals to find a place to get dinner. After dinner we shopped around for orange gear that we needed for the game on Sunday. We found everything we needed and headed back to our hostel to rest up for the big game. On Sunday we went to breakfast across the street and we were thankful to have some eggs and toast! That afternoon we returned our bikes and got ready for the World Cup Finals. We wanted to go to the big park by the museums where there were about six big screens and an expected crowd of 120,000 people. We only had to ask two people for directions to the stadium because our initial thought to follow the crowd did not seem to work. As we walked up to the park we saw a mass of orange, fireworks, flying soccer balls, and the sound of vuvuzelas. We knew it would be an interesting experience- especially when Angela got hit with a flying soccer ball, it bounced off of her and then come guy fired it right back at her pelting her right above the kneecap. (At least it wasn’t the face, right!?) The atmosphere was nothing like anything the three of us had ever experienced before. We arrived at the park at 3:30pm and the game didn’t start until 8:30 so we had plenty of time to walk around and meet all kinds of people. By the time the game came on we began to realize how hungry and tired we were but we watched most of the game at the park and left with only 15 minutes left in the game. We were exhausted! We grabbed a slice of pizza and headed back to our hostel to get some rest and pack up for another day of travel.
Today (Monday) we are taking the train to Munich and we are scheduled to arrive at 6pm. More about that adventure coming soon!
Hup Holland Hup!
For our first day we decided to rent bikes and do a bit of sightseeing. Amsterdam is famous for bikes and that became quite obvious once we tried to lock our bikes up. Thousands of bikes line the streets and it can be a challenge to find a spot for yours! We rented our bikes from Yellow Bike where there slogan is, “Experience Amsterdam the Dutch way.” 39 euros later we had three bikes for 24 hours. Our first stop was the Anne Frank House, which was definitely worth the wait. The museum lies in the jam making warehouse where the Frank family (along with a few other families) hid. Inside, we were able to see their hiding place known as the Secret Annex. This was a museum with a story and the experience was humbling.
After the museum we rode our bikes over bridges and through streets near the canals to find a place to get dinner. After dinner we shopped around for orange gear that we needed for the game on Sunday. We found everything we needed and headed back to our hostel to rest up for the big game. On Sunday we went to breakfast across the street and we were thankful to have some eggs and toast! That afternoon we returned our bikes and got ready for the World Cup Finals. We wanted to go to the big park by the museums where there were about six big screens and an expected crowd of 120,000 people. We only had to ask two people for directions to the stadium because our initial thought to follow the crowd did not seem to work. As we walked up to the park we saw a mass of orange, fireworks, flying soccer balls, and the sound of vuvuzelas. We knew it would be an interesting experience- especially when Angela got hit with a flying soccer ball, it bounced off of her and then come guy fired it right back at her pelting her right above the kneecap. (At least it wasn’t the face, right!?) The atmosphere was nothing like anything the three of us had ever experienced before. We arrived at the park at 3:30pm and the game didn’t start until 8:30 so we had plenty of time to walk around and meet all kinds of people. By the time the game came on we began to realize how hungry and tired we were but we watched most of the game at the park and left with only 15 minutes left in the game. We were exhausted! We grabbed a slice of pizza and headed back to our hostel to get some rest and pack up for another day of travel.
Today (Monday) we are taking the train to Munich and we are scheduled to arrive at 6pm. More about that adventure coming soon!
Hup Holland Hup!
Poor Angela. Every entry includes an story in which something happens only to her... aka massage, train doors closing on her, and now the soccer ball. Your pace through these cities seems hectic and exhausting. Slow it down girls and stay awhile.
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoy reading these blogs. Each one has put a lasting smile on my face.