Spring Break update, finally
I wish I hadn't waited so long to write this entry. Sorry about that. It's definitely not going to be as good as it would have been had I written right away. Lil, please feel free to fill in the gaps in the comment area.
So to start, here are all of the albums:
I. http://columbia.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020605&l=b2df6&id=106467
II. http://columbia.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020606&l=c1b82&id=106467
III. http://columbia.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020607&l=cda8b&id=106467
IV. http://columbia.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020608&l=8ee5a&id=106467
V. http://columbia.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2021312&l=efd5a&id=106467
So continuing where I left off, our plane from London to Amsterdam was behind schedule so we got to Amsterdam a little later than expected. The night before Lil and I went out for drinks at the Rat & Parrot pub. The best thing that happened there was when we were leaving, this tall British man was coming in. He stopped right in front of me and exclaimed, " 'ello gorgeous! Nice sweata'!" I actually laughed out loud and I'm still laughing. Lil made a list of all the other great quotes from the week.
Then we arrived in Amsterdam late in the afternoon (because of the time change) and found the bathrooms and the tram to the hotel. Luckily the hotel wasn't too hard to find (nor was anything, its a nice small city) and we got there alright. The canals were beautiful, sometimes a little smelly, but wonderful. I really fell in love with that city. There's a quiet beauty there amidst the loud baudy world of vice. I cannot wait to go back.
After dropping our bags into our nice private room at the hotel (De La Haye on Leidsegracht), we headed out to explore. We walked forever and ever and found the most adorable, and the seediest souvenir shops. It was much easier finding gifts for everyone there and in Paris. So I did. We found coffeeshops, koffiehuisen and many other unheard of things. Then I asked Lil if she wanted to go to the Red Light District, and she said, "You mean we aren't there now?!" It was just about dusk and the prostitutes were dusting off their stools and beginning another night of work.
I still can't pinpoint my exact feelings on their legal existance. Would be an interesting thesis topic, if I didn't think it would have me ridiculed out of the department. Hm.. I wonder if I was researching that, if they would give me money to go back. Something to think about.
My favorite street was in the heart of the red light district because it had such a mix of store fronts and the streets were narrowest hear around the canal. To see the gardens and the glasswork at the Flying Dutchman was breathtaking (the next day). Sadly, when we returned the next night, the canal was filled with the garbage of all the patrons. Sad. Amidst the garbage was a duck though. That was heartwarming.
Eventually, we made it home, Lil terrified I would fall into one of the canals (or that our tour book map would, when I accidentally flung it into the street). We went to sleep in those comfy comfy beds and woke up to a fresh morning. We had some weird breakfast at the hotel and went to the Van Gogh museum. There was a long line but it went quickly. The collection wasn't amazing but it was great to see so much Van Gogh at once. Then we headed off to find friends.
Lana from Midwood and her boyfriend from Hunter were there too so we met up with them, and Lil's Yaron and went for drinks and eventually a dim sum dinner (minus Yaron who had to wake up for work the next morning). It was a lovely night of good friends, decent food and a beautiful city. What was funny is that Lil's beef dumplings looked a little rare, and the waitress came over and had them checked out without even having been asked. My mystery meat dumplings were lovely, but odd. I'm still not sure what was in them. I'm betting seafood (what luck I have) as it was white and sort of had no recognizeable flavor. Mm chicken buns though.
Then the next day we set out to check out a few more shops that sounded cool in the guidebook and then everything set against us and we missed our train by 3 minutes. Luckily, the people in the terminal helped us out and got us on a train stopping brussels that was leaving in 10 minutes. No biggie, we got to see the countryside, pass through Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels (all places I would love to visit) before making a final stop in Paris. Of course there was drama on the way but everything worked out and we made it back in 2 pieces. With all of our crazy luggage and souvenirs.
Michelle welcomed us home and we gave her some cute little presents which she has proudly displayed in the living room.
Then we all went out to dinner at a cute cafe (Tete à Toto). We ate outside and the food was fabulous. Then Michelle invited us out for drinks in the Bastille and eventually made it home and had a good sleep. The next day was packed from top to bottom with Parisien delights. We started with a Nutella Panini, had some real Paninis in the Montparnasse area, after visiting Sacre Coeur and some more cute tourist areas and shops. Then walked around the Latin Quarter and Notre Dame. Went to the original Shakespeare and Co where so many famous English writers began their careers, and went on to Ile St. Louis for some scrumptious Bertillon ice cream. The best in Paris. I got dark chocolate and pear, which when licked together tasted exactly like the pear tart I made in that cooking class.
Then we went from there to the Marais, Place de Vosges and were exhausted and went home. We got some KFC for supper and then made our way to the Eiffel tower for a special night viewing. I got some spectacular pictures. Then we went to sleep and our trip was finished. It was an exhausting but overall unforgettable trip. Yay Spring Break!
I totally have the confidence now to pick up and go to any city in Europe and be fine. Hoorah! Enjoy the pics!
So to start, here are all of the albums:
I. http://columbia.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020605&l=b2df6&id=106467
II. http://columbia.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020606&l=c1b82&id=106467
III. http://columbia.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020607&l=cda8b&id=106467
IV. http://columbia.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020608&l=8ee5a&id=106467
V. http://columbia.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2021312&l=efd5a&id=106467
So continuing where I left off, our plane from London to Amsterdam was behind schedule so we got to Amsterdam a little later than expected. The night before Lil and I went out for drinks at the Rat & Parrot pub. The best thing that happened there was when we were leaving, this tall British man was coming in. He stopped right in front of me and exclaimed, " 'ello gorgeous! Nice sweata'!" I actually laughed out loud and I'm still laughing. Lil made a list of all the other great quotes from the week.
Then we arrived in Amsterdam late in the afternoon (because of the time change) and found the bathrooms and the tram to the hotel. Luckily the hotel wasn't too hard to find (nor was anything, its a nice small city) and we got there alright. The canals were beautiful, sometimes a little smelly, but wonderful. I really fell in love with that city. There's a quiet beauty there amidst the loud baudy world of vice. I cannot wait to go back.
After dropping our bags into our nice private room at the hotel (De La Haye on Leidsegracht), we headed out to explore. We walked forever and ever and found the most adorable, and the seediest souvenir shops. It was much easier finding gifts for everyone there and in Paris. So I did. We found coffeeshops, koffiehuisen and many other unheard of things. Then I asked Lil if she wanted to go to the Red Light District, and she said, "You mean we aren't there now?!" It was just about dusk and the prostitutes were dusting off their stools and beginning another night of work.
I still can't pinpoint my exact feelings on their legal existance. Would be an interesting thesis topic, if I didn't think it would have me ridiculed out of the department. Hm.. I wonder if I was researching that, if they would give me money to go back. Something to think about.
My favorite street was in the heart of the red light district because it had such a mix of store fronts and the streets were narrowest hear around the canal. To see the gardens and the glasswork at the Flying Dutchman was breathtaking (the next day). Sadly, when we returned the next night, the canal was filled with the garbage of all the patrons. Sad. Amidst the garbage was a duck though. That was heartwarming.
Eventually, we made it home, Lil terrified I would fall into one of the canals (or that our tour book map would, when I accidentally flung it into the street). We went to sleep in those comfy comfy beds and woke up to a fresh morning. We had some weird breakfast at the hotel and went to the Van Gogh museum. There was a long line but it went quickly. The collection wasn't amazing but it was great to see so much Van Gogh at once. Then we headed off to find friends.
Lana from Midwood and her boyfriend from Hunter were there too so we met up with them, and Lil's Yaron and went for drinks and eventually a dim sum dinner (minus Yaron who had to wake up for work the next morning). It was a lovely night of good friends, decent food and a beautiful city. What was funny is that Lil's beef dumplings looked a little rare, and the waitress came over and had them checked out without even having been asked. My mystery meat dumplings were lovely, but odd. I'm still not sure what was in them. I'm betting seafood (what luck I have) as it was white and sort of had no recognizeable flavor. Mm chicken buns though.
Then the next day we set out to check out a few more shops that sounded cool in the guidebook and then everything set against us and we missed our train by 3 minutes. Luckily, the people in the terminal helped us out and got us on a train stopping brussels that was leaving in 10 minutes. No biggie, we got to see the countryside, pass through Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels (all places I would love to visit) before making a final stop in Paris. Of course there was drama on the way but everything worked out and we made it back in 2 pieces. With all of our crazy luggage and souvenirs.
Michelle welcomed us home and we gave her some cute little presents which she has proudly displayed in the living room.
Then we all went out to dinner at a cute cafe (Tete à Toto). We ate outside and the food was fabulous. Then Michelle invited us out for drinks in the Bastille and eventually made it home and had a good sleep. The next day was packed from top to bottom with Parisien delights. We started with a Nutella Panini, had some real Paninis in the Montparnasse area, after visiting Sacre Coeur and some more cute tourist areas and shops. Then walked around the Latin Quarter and Notre Dame. Went to the original Shakespeare and Co where so many famous English writers began their careers, and went on to Ile St. Louis for some scrumptious Bertillon ice cream. The best in Paris. I got dark chocolate and pear, which when licked together tasted exactly like the pear tart I made in that cooking class.
Then we went from there to the Marais, Place de Vosges and were exhausted and went home. We got some KFC for supper and then made our way to the Eiffel tower for a special night viewing. I got some spectacular pictures. Then we went to sleep and our trip was finished. It was an exhausting but overall unforgettable trip. Yay Spring Break!
I totally have the confidence now to pick up and go to any city in Europe and be fine. Hoorah! Enjoy the pics!