After a very comfortable train ride, we arrived in Amsterdam around ten o-clock and decided to waste no time in checking out the scene. Our brightly decorated, pink-walled hostel was located in Rembrandt Plein, or Rembrandt Square, a bustling neighborhood in the city. For the holidays, Rembrandt Plein glittered with decorations, complete with flying tinsel, giant blow-up Santas and an ice-skating rink. Eager to explore our new neighborhood, we dropped off our bags and toured the square, indulging in a sausage sandwich and a Fanta for dinner. We then walked in to the first bar we saw and ordered some dark beers (as usual). We meant to have a "chill night," as to ease in to our busy weekend ahead, but alas, the evening quickly turned into Yager shots at a techno club and a dance party. Also not to forget getting whisked away on the back of bikes to the after party, in true Amsterdam fashion.
The rest of the weekend followed suit. We visited adorable wood paneled cafes, brushed up on our history at the Anne Frank house, and got our fix of culture at the Sex Museum. During a romantic stroll through the Red Light District, we were very surprised to see the half-naked girls in the windows leering at us. It was during this visit to the Red Light District that I discovered why boys don't come to Paris for study abroad. It is because they go to Amsterdam. I know it was the Red Light District, where obviously there are more boys walking around checking out the "goods,"but in general, I've never seen so many groups of college-aged male tourists in one city. I quickly realized that Paris and Amsterdam obviously attract different compositions of people. Paris, the city of lights, where romance lurks at every corner and fashion struts down every street, attracts mainly women. Like New York, women come to Paris looking for love and adventure while at the same time, dressing like a supermodel and dining on steak au poivre. Amsterdam, however, attracts a different sort. I'm not saying the only reason boys go to Amsterdam is because of the drugs, but the "cafes," mushroom shops, and sexual freedom advertised so strongly in Amsterdam undoubtedly attracts more men. It doesn't hurt that Amsterdam is a beautiful city with its winding canals and bike lined streets. But the main reason why men choose Amsterdam, in my opinion, is because of the chance to experiment.
Speaking of boys, while in Amsterdam I just so happened to run in to one of my best guy friends from New York! Our accidental encounter is the best example I have, and probably will ever have, of how small the world actually is. That Saturday night, my friends and I were in the mood to check out a different neighborhood in the city for dinner, and the concierge at our hostel recommended Leidse Square. It was pure chance in the first place that we ended up in Leidse Square. So we took the tram over there and while walking down the street, I heard someone call my name. I nearly dismissed the idea that anyone in Amsterdam would actually know me, but by instinct I turned around just to check and who did I see? None other than Eric Olson, one of my closest guy friends from high school, looking straight at me with that boyish grin of his. I did a double take of Olson, completely stunned over the fact that we both happened to be in Amsterdam the same weekend and walking down the same street at the same time. He didn't even have a cell phone. We could not have met better if we tried. Needless to say, we spent the evening together talking and catching up. It was great to see a friend from home, especially in a place I never would've imagined we would be together.
By the end of the trip, my girlfriends and I planned to make Amsterdam a place we would visit together again. It would become a tradition! If it's in one year or ten, if I make it back to Amsterdam with Anne and Courtney, I'll be a happy camper.
Anne and I
Dutch crêpes!
Christmastime in Amsterdam
Anne, Courtney, and I under the snow
The floating tulip museum
We happened to be quoting an SNL skit that weekend which had us calling each other "lovas" in strange accents. So in this spirit, it was only right to sign up for the lovers boat tour of Amsterdam. I highly recommend it, by the way. Very romantic.
I think we're getting closer to the Red Light District...
Santa Clause and adult toys, a very merry sex shop
