Netherlands

The train ride from Paris to Amsterdam is really nice. The countryside becomes dusted with snow and by the time we arrive in Amsterdam, there are cookie-sized flakes slowly falling over the city. It's a beautiful sight.

Our hostel is Flying Pig Uptown which is conveniently occupied by like-minded souls who are exploring Amsterdam just as we are! We make an Aussie friend and off to the show we go! It's a haze of coffee shops and red lights and I only make it to 8:30 the first night before crashing at the hostel We do see some beautiful places the next few days: Vondelpark, Leidsesplein, Central Station, Powerzone, boat rides on the canals. The only thing is you have to cross two bike lanes, a motorbike lane, two car lanes, three tram lanes, two car lanes, a motorbike lane, and two bike lanes to cross a street in Amsterdam- any street.

We go to a great show at Boom Chicago where David yells something loudly and becomes a centerpiece for one of their comedy improvisations. It's a really good show and afterward we hit up Leidsesplain square with street performers and ice skating and Pofferties and toasties and then to a reggae concert just off the square at the Milkweg (Milky Way). It was the best Mondaag (Monday) night I ever had.

This old dutch dude was taking this other poor guy's huge chess pieces and throwing them down in disgust it was pretty funny

We switch to the Flying Pig Downtown for the next two nights, and it's just as cool if not cooler, we have a Thanksgiving meal there and I end up explaining the intricacies of the holiday to everyone 'cause no one is really from the States. I make the traditional awkward speech about being with good friends and family which is especially awkward cause we didn't really know anybody. Then we go around and people say what they are thankful for, which is just as awkward cause they had never done it before and were wondering if it's always that awkward and we assured them yes, it is always this awkward. To make up for not being in the states during Turkey Day, we went to McDonald's and remembered how gross it is anywhere you get it. It's all good though - that night I stay up till seven in the morning keeping company with a Scandinavian dude who is trying to sneak various illegals over the border the next morning. Truly a remarkable day of thanks!

Our last day in Amsterdam we hit up the Heineken Museum which is like a Disneyland theme park ride except the theme is beer and the music is techno. We meet three older women from England, one of whom is getting married soon and we all have a blast. We are judges in the Cannabis Cup as well! I've never seen the ridiculous beauty of cannabis like I saw it at the Cup. I wont get into details, cause I don't remember them, but I was glad to be a part of it and I was glad when it was over... and where do we go to detox? The bars and beers of Belgium!!! Next stop Brussels.