iAMsterdam

Scene from our boat cruise through the canals of Amsterdam

After more than three days of traveling in Amsterdam and one in Brussels, I am finally back home in Paris with so many new stories and adventures to tell you all!  Amsterdam must be the strangest yet obviously one of the best cities I have ever visited.  It is a combination of beautiful canals, a red light district, an uncomfortable number of "coffeeshops", and the boldest group of Dutch bikers around.  On our last full day, the four of us rented bikes and rode them to Amstelpark.  I had two near death experiences and was lectured by a Dutch woman for a good five minutes.  Dorothy was not in Camp Hill anymore.

Amstelpark

Below is a picture of our hostel.  The majority of the people in the hostel were college students from the United States.  We met at least five different people from Duke and UNC--what a small world!

Our hostel

Me, Melissa, Kevin, and Eleanor at dinner in Rembrandt Square

Rembrandt Square

On our way to the Van Gogh Museum

My favorite touristy activity we did in the city must have been the Anne Frank house.  I found myself myself in tears once as we went through the tour.  

"Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart." --Anne Frank

The Anne Frank House

Because the museum/house tour was so overpriced, we told the front desk that we were seven years old and therefore our tickets would be free. To our surprise, that didn't work BUT we were given the Anne Frank house quiz and because we completed with 100% we each won some pretty awesome Anne Frank bookmarks.

Anyways, get ready for a post tomorrow on Brussels!  Also, my Dad comes to Paris in two days so lots of fun activities planned for the rest of the week:)

Bisous bisous,

Mary