A few weeks ago Serge and I packed our book bags and hopped on a train for one last weekend trip to Amsterdam. We've visited a lot of European cities over the past year and a half and have enjoyed every single one of them, and Amsterdam was no different. Although we steered clear of the traditional coffee shops and only took a quick stroll through the Red Light District, we found that Amsterdam had much more to offer than the popular stereotypes had lead us to believe. We ate some great food, drank some nice beers and jenever (Dutch gin), visited the Van Gogh Museum, and even watched The Hunger Games in the nicest movie theater we'd ever seen! It was the perfect place to conclude our European travels, and I'm so glad we were able to see this beautiful city before we head back to the US!
I loved all the canals!
The one stereotype we'd have to agree with is about the bikes in Amsterdam. They're everywhere! And be aware, if you ever find yourself in this city, THEY have the right of way! We managed to stay out of their path for the most part, but poor Serge came within inches of a head-on collision on our last morning!
And I loved the TINY cars!
Amsterdam had the smallest ones we've ever seen! We saw some of these just driving down the sidewalk. :-) They made smart cars look like minivans.
We were pretty STOKED when we spotted the South Carolina flag outside De Drie Fleschjes!
Turns out they have a sister bar in Greenville, Addy's Dutch Cafe!
Slurping my jenever at De Drie Fleschjes, the oldest tasting house in Amsterdam
Pictures don't really do these babies justice. They're like the size of a riding lawn mower!
Haha it looked even smaller across the river!
We loved the architecture!
It was evident how the Dutch style had a big influence on colonial American buildings. This looks like Main Street, USA :-)
We had to take a photo with the "I amsterdam" sign in front of the Rijksmuseum...
And with a big wooden shoe...
And with a windmill!
Beer tasting at Brouwerij 't IJ
The Magere Brug ("Skinny Bridge")
In front of the beautiful train station, leaving our final European destination!
So bittersweet! :-)
