Geri and I are here in Amsterdam and it's quite an elegant city. There are beautiful canals, narrow (and precariously slanted) buildings, and lovely, if not a bit cold (hey, we're coming from Asia so it's pretty much freezing for us) weather. Then on the other hand, it's a city where most all vices are allowed and very accepted. It's funny for such a beautifully picturesque town to be populated with semi-naked ladies offering themselves in windows and constant whiffs of pot at every corner. Which makes it all the more interesting.We've gone native and rented bikes for two days, which is actually more stressful than I thought as all the streets curve every which way and the street names all look the same (to the english-speaking idiots like me) and are too consonant-heavy that even for myself, the compass, finding our way around town is not all that easy. But it's so much fun to be in the fresh air exploring and finding new parts of the city. We went to the Foam Photography Museum today which had a James Nachtwey exhibit, which was quite fortunate timing for us and was fascinating, if not gruesome. Tomorrow we're biking out to the countryside to see some windmills and tulips, which are in their peak at the moment.
So overall, Amsterdam is amazing for so many reasons - It's (not at all surprisingly) heavy on the male population, either the old, weathered types who look like they've been stoned for decades or the 20 year old frat boy types, I'm sure here for all the educational museums and unique architecture. You find classy business people and hip artists, and then turn the corner and see an old lady in a red-light window in a bra and underwear better suited for a 16 year old. Something for everybody. Who wouldn't love that?
I guess that's really it. I haven't been as exciting with everything running smoothly here in Europe (knock on wood). I'll report back soon and keep you posted on any misadventures...
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