Weekend in Amsterdam

Hi all!

So I just got back from my weekend in Amsterdam! It was quite interesting to say the least. That city is a rough place! I don't know what my assumptions were before I went, but I can say I was surprised. Once you get out on the outskirts, it's a gorgeous European city, but the city center is a disturbing place with all the drugs and hookers around. That being said, I LOVED Amsterdam!

I know it sounds a little strange to love a disturbing place, but I just felt like the whole place was just interesting in a creepy gritty sort of way. I knew there would be hookers, and I knew they would be in windows, but I didn't realize how close you are to them, how many there are, and that people actually do...purchase them! It was really strange watching men come out of the little rooms. The overall aura of the city is just different. I can't really explain it...it's really touristy, but it attracts a certain kind of tourist - namely young guys that wanna get baked and buy hookers. So that was kinda weird.

Either way, Amsterdam has some great museums and stuff, so we went to go see the Van Gogh museum and the Anne Frank museum on Saturday. It was really interesting. I really liked the Anne Frank museum, because, like most people, I've read the book. So it was cool to actually be in the rooms that they were hiding in...it was really creepy and really sad too.

Most of the time we just wandered the streets and looked at the pretty canals, and went into little shops. It was a really good time. Our hostel, the Flying Pig, was really nice. It was tucked away on this little street that's full of shops, and it has a really cool environment. I really like hostels to begin with, cuz I think sharing a room with 10 strangers is cool for some reason. This hostel was definitely sweet, probably my number 2 hostel that I've stayed in.

I'd love to definitely go back to Amsterdam sometime, but I'd have to do it within the next 10 years, because I can't see myself enjoying a place like that when I'm in my thirties. For now, it was a really good time!