Wednesday July 7, 2010

Day 1 – USA to Amsterdam

By Kelsey Chambers

Northern Lights 16-1

Our first day in Europe was definitely interesting!  We started off by flying into Amsterdam at seven in the morning in Amsterdam or midnight back at home! We were all so tired throughout the day but were able to manage going into the actual city of Amsterdam.  The first thing we did when we arrived in Amsterdam is we went to a Village and got to see some gift shops and just the way things worked around there.  It was the first time we actual got to see some of the food that they have around there and got to smell the different smells of a new country we weren’t and still aren’t used to yet. The people in Amsterdam were very friendly along with the Chinese tourists that were there also.  Haley and I actually had our five minutes of fame when a bunch of Chinese tourists came and took a lot of pictures with us.

            After that experience we went to our hotel.  The hotel is really nice and pretty similar to U.S. hotels.  Right away we went out to eat lunch at the sport restaurant I would like to call it?  We had cheeseburgers and fries.  That was our first meal and was definitely not what I would like to call amazing.  I think that all of us found the burger to not be the best one we ever had.  We definitely have no idea what it was made of but really don’t want to know either.  But hey! The French fries were pretty good! After that we all went back to our hotel and took an hour nap before we went on our next adventure.

            Next thing I knew, we were taking a walk to our tram to head into the city of Amsterdam!  Let’s just say that was a way different experience than I was ready for at the time!  We met our tour guide and then were off to tour downtown Amsterdam.  The first place we went to was a place called the “Red Light” district which was a place that no photography was allowed which was definitely understandable when we found out we were walking through the place where most of the legal prostitution was happening at!!!!  They were either in the windows or standing in the door crack half naked waiting for the “customers” to arrive.  If the shade was closed that meant they were busy.  When our guide was talking to us about the prostitution this guy completely high stood in our group and starting questioning the guide and making a complete scene but thankfully he left right away.  It was pretty funny but creepy at the same time.  After that we walked past that and right by a coffee shop where people were smoking marijuana legally!  I got it blown right in my face.  Terrible timing for me to be walking I guess! I guess it’s only legal in coffee shops but if cops saw you doing it you probably would get in much trouble for it.  Another thing is that alcohol is aloud for sixteen year olds! But no worries parents we aren’t drinking at all over here! Trust me!

            After that we went to eat dinner at a pancake place.  Their pancake is basically just flat tortilla with any topping you would like.  They seriously had anything! It was okay I guess.  For the most part today was okay but I’m hoping tomorrow will be better with the Anne frank house and SHOPPING!!!!!!! So that was our first day in Europe! And we will keep you updated!

Kelsey