So, this afternoon I took a train to Haarlem because someone in the Youth Hostel suggested that it was a cool place to visit. Sure enough it was. It was about a 15 minute train ride from Amsterdam Centraal, and I arrived and just walked around the city. They had a unique city center, which looked very nice with all the cafés and all the chairs pointed toward the streets. While I was walking down one of the shopping arcades, again, I hear someone say, “BENJAMIN!”. Low and behold, another person I meet! Ha. Well, even though it was random, it was just a group of people I had met in the hostel this week, and they were doing some sightseeing there too. Still, thought it was cool to have my name yelled out =) So, I walked with them for the rest of my time in Haarlem, and then went back to the train station for Amsterdam. I’m going to take a quick nap, because I’ve been invited to Sigrid and Paul’s house for dinner (they’re two students that were at UT for a year). I’m off!
Author: Benjamin Trotter
Van Gogh Museum
This morning, I got up and walked to the Museum. From the hostel (in the Jordaan district), the walk is actually quite nice. The sun was warm, and the sights were always just as interesting. Anyhow, I got to the museum, and good thing I got in when I did, because when I was leaving, a huge line had started forming. So, I went through the museum, took just about an hour, mainly because I only wanted to see the famous works like the Sunflowers, the Bedroom etc.. So, I was able to go through quite quickly due to the lack of people inside the museum. I just finished having lunch in front of the Palace–there’s a huge plaza there, and it’s fun to people-watch there. Now, I’m going to head to Centraal Station and hop on a train and visit the Haarlem district which I’ve heard is nice to see.
Lazy evening in Amsterdam
What a lazy evening! I really have just been piddling (sp?) around the hostel, napping, reading, and walking along the canals. haha. Not to rub in what a good time I’m having, but just thought it needed to be said ;) Thanks everyone by the way for writing so many comments! I enjoy hearing what you write =) Anyhow, tomorrow, I’m planning to meet with Sigrid and Paul, they both studied at UT during the 2001 year, and we’re going out for dinner tomorrow. So, tomorrow I think I’ve decided on going to see the tulips, and then on to the Van Gogh Museum, and finishing up the evening seeing Sigrid and Paul. It should be cool to catch up. Other than that, I’m just enjoying the beautiful weather. Did I mention that it is still light at almost 10:00pm?!
Country Tour – Windmills, Clogs, and Fisherman Town
Today I got up to go to the bus tour of the Dutch countryside. I chose the tour that included a quiet fisherman’s town, windmills, and a cheese factory. So, I boarded the bus this morning at 10:00am. Our first stop was the picturesque windmill village with typical dutch green houses. We stopped to watch a clog maker make the wooden clogs. That was interesting to see. We then went to a cheese factory where they showed us the way they made their traditional Dutch cheeses.. Gouda etc. We got to sample several flavors of the cheese, and it was very good. Also here, I met some of the other tourists, two in particular from Florida, who will be coming to grad school at UT next year. Coincidence, yes, and I’m sure there’s someone in common we must know.. haha. Anyhow, we rode then to a village called Volendam, that is right along the reclaimed sea. (North Sea that is). We strolled along the docks next to the water, and had some lunch. After that, we boarded a boat that took us to another town called Marken. This is the quiet fisherman’s town, where the people still wear the traditional dress. It was very nice, and I got some really good pictures. I’m hoping I’ll be able to post them sometime soon. Anyhow, after the visit in an old woman’s house (she explained to us about the dress of the Netherlands) she pretty much locked us in the house — a group of almost 30 couped up in this tiny village house, and she threw out a plate and said, “All tips are appreciated”. Gee, she sure learned that phrase in a perfect accent, wonder what happened to the rest of her English as she was trying to explain the traditional dress. Anyhow, it was a nice village, and the weather was just perfect for a day excursion like this. Now, I’m really tired though, and I’m trying to figure out what I should do tomorrow for my last day in Amsterdam!!
Leidseplein Stroll
Even though the morning started out dreary, the rest of the day has been so beautiful. So, I decided to walk to the Leidseplein area, and see all the cafés and such. After walking around and taking some nice pictures, I continued walking along the canals toward the Bloemenmarkt, or the flower marketplace. I also plan to go to the Keukenhof tomorrow to see all the tulips. Now I’m going back to the hostel to relax and have some Milka =)
Anne FrankHuis
Yes, this morning, I was able to go to the Anne Frank House, located just a 5 minute walk from the hostel. Good thing I went when I did, because as I was leaving, a line had already formed. I figured today would be a good day because it was a little rainy and gloomy.
First off, this place was incredible. I can’t believe as I walked in the door, that it had been where the Franks hid for 2 years! The stairs were so steep, the information for all the exhibits were pretty good, though I was surprised at how small the exhibition was. Anyhow, you go then to the hideout, where you walk through the bookcase that hid the annex. I couldn’t believe it as I walked in, that that’s the same door that Anne herself touched over 50 years ago. Moreso than that, going into her bedroom, seeing the pictures on the wall she had pasted, and watching the videos and such, it was truly an awesome place to see. They’ve done a lot with the technology there now, where you can look at a computer screen and take virtual tours, or look at more information about the people (the Frank family, Miep and such) or a timeline to get the order of the events that took place. Anyhow, it was a must-see for me, and I’m so glad I was able to see it, without the hindrance of so many people walking around in my way of the exhibitions.
Red Light District
Ok, so last night I went out to the Red Light District with a guy from Canada that’s staying at the hostel. This is the funniest place I have ever gone. Well, I knew Red Light District was the place for prostitution and all, but this was hilarious. Red flourescent lights are above glass doors, leading into rooms where these prostitutes are. It is unbelievable. The prostitutes stand at the doors in scantily clad outfits and knock on the glass door as you pass by trying to tempt you in. (Mom, if you’re reading this post, you might not want to print this one out to bring to Grandma and Grandpa!) haha. Anyhow, it’s like they were animals in cages. Funnier than that, is that guys were just walking in, asking how much they were for their “services” ranging from a mere $25-50. Another strange thing about this area, was that they didn’t seem to be allowed out of their little rooms. They would swing open the door back and forth but NEVER step out. Also, this place, dangerous as it sounds, was quite safe. A flood of tourists, even mom’s and daughters were out roaming around just looking at this spectacle. Seriously, this was hilarious.
More Amsterdam
More on Amsterdam. I’ve met a lot of cool people at the hostel, and I’ve taken some really great pictures with my ELPH! I spent most of the day between the hostel and the center of town just hanging out trying to stay awake.. Anyhow, all is good now, and I should have a good night’s rest, and I will post more later!
Thanks for the comments Mom and Pete! BTW Pete, are you gonna try to find me in Italy?! Write me here.
Arrived in Amsterdam!
Well, I have made it safely to the Netherlands, and everything is going well so far. The weather is beautiful, the smell of flowers, everything is making my jetlag seem not so bad. The youth hostel is located at the end of the street of the Anne Frank house, so it’s really accessible to a lot of things. I’ve already found out that there are a number of Japanese people staying there, so I’ll have fun with that! Anyhow, do I have a Benjamin story for you. (JOANN, you’re going to crack up!!)
— So, I’m walking down the city centre toward the internet café and I find a little shopping street. So, I stroll down the street cause my hostel doesn’t let me check in until 1:00pm. I look into shops and such, and see a FOOT LOCKER!!! and Guess what, I see SAMMY working in there!!! hahahahaha! For those of you who do not know Sammy, he is a guy that came to UT as an exchange student, and I did his orientation. He was also our roommate during our trip to Washington DC. So, leave it to me, to be again in a foreign country for not even an hour before I randomly run into someone I know!!! Anyhow, I will be continuing this journal, so please stay tuned!! Time for some sleep now! CIAO.
Spring Break in New York City!
This trip came for my Spring Break of my senior year in college. This was a perfect trip because after all of my around-the-globe travel, I still had not seen Washington DC or New York City, both of which I wanted to see very much. It just so happened that a club on campus was organizing trips by bus to Washington DC and New York during my senior year. This break was perfect timing, as I had just learned of my recent offer from APL Logistics for my job after graduation.
So the trip started out in Knoxville, TN when we boarded a bus at night for the long journey to NYC. After boarding, we quickly met a group of nice people, and enjoyed their company along the way.
After the 14 hour trip, we were unloaded at our hotel right near Times Square. I loved this area specifically with its livlihood and hustle-bustle, that reminded me so much of living in Tokyo. Big cities are definitely where I feel most at home. The night lights and sound really screamed NEW YORK CITY to me, as we spent our first night walking towards the Empire State Building for a view of the city at night.
Of course, as luck has it, my camera (#3) broke some how on the way up in the elevator, so I didn’t get any good pictures of our time at the top of the city. So, the following day, I pulled a small scam which involved me buying a nice camera, using it the week of my trip, and returning it afterwards. I know, bad Ben. But, I definitely wanted nice shots of New York, and after all was said and done, I came home with some great pictures of the city.
So everyday we just spent walking around to museums, shopping, WTC site, clubbing, eating, MTV, and Central Park. I also was able to meet JAYNAP finally, which was a lot of fun, and we went to take pictures of the city and the WTC site together.
This trip was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed finally seeing NYC.. I am excited to see the city again, hopefully in the summer where all the colors are able to be seen.