Jet Setting

     The month of February was full of weekend getaways for me, including Amsterdam, Sevilla, Granada, and Cádiz. I have learned to pack light (not always my strong suite), go with the flow, live the hostel life, and go on an organized trip whenever possible.

Amsterdam: 

        I was honestly a little nervous the night before my first experience traveling without my family through Europe. I went with three friends from the Madrid program: Gabe, Andrea, and Lynwood and met up with Molly, Sam, and their friends from London.  Getting around Amsterdam was not difficult in that we could ask for help since everyone there speaks perfect English, a huge culture shock coming from Madrid; however, it was confusing in that all of the canals and streets look the exact same. It was very cold (about 20°F and keep in mind that I did not bring a winter jacket abroad), so cold that we could walk on the frozen canals and watch the tons of locals skating (see picture below). 

            The culture in Amsterdam is unique, and the people are desensitized to drugs and sex. Coffee shops have marijuana on the menu right below the sandwiches, as if it is that casual. The Red Light District is also something to see. Prostitutes stand in the windows of adjacent small rooms in tiny bathing suits or lingerie texting away on their cell phones waiting for clients. I really wonder who they are texting!

            I went to the Van Gogh Museum, Dam Square (the center of the city which I would compare to Plaza Mayor in Madrid), the “I AMSTERDAM” sign (a great marketing money-maker), the Heineken Factory, and the Anne Frank House. I also did a walking tour, which gave me a great feel for the city. We got to the walking tour late and could only find the tour being given in Spanish, so we joined the Spaniards and together pieced together the main points. It’s funny how you can understand so much through context clues, including hand motions and facial expressions (see pictures below).

            Amsterdam had great snack food, although not much fine dining. You can buy large cones filled with french fries and topped with your choice of sauces, including curry, spicy mayo, or of course ketchup. The crepes and pancakes were also incredible, especially with banana and nutella. We went to a famous pancake house called the Pancake Factory with an assortment of 75 types of pancakes.They also make a thin waffle with caramel called a stropwaffle that I liked a lot (see pictures below).