Day 6 Amsterdam

Today we are proud to say we didn't get out of bed until noon. And we actually had a pretty good nights rest. We were in no hurry today, with no specific plans and it is raining a bit. Leisurely we got up and got ready. Drizzly and in the 50s means long sleeves and our jackets. Without a definite plan we headed out just to walk around for a place to have lunch. As we made a turn down a street that was nothing special and not very busy, there was a little hole in the wall where people were setting outside under a canopy. As we went by the menu board had the soup of the day as sweet potato and pumpkin and they served breakfast all day. Done and done. We chose to sit inside and it was a super cute place serving organic food. It was friendly and warm. Guy ordered an omelette and I had the soup with homemade bread. Very lovely - "Greenwoods" was the name of the cafe.

After "brunch" we headed toward the train station along a canal knowing we'd eventually bump into the canal cruises and we certainly did. We chose the Lovers Canal Cruises (hee hee) and when we got on the boat it wasn't full yet, so we opted for sitting outside in the back. Well, the back was covered overhead with plastic and it was kinda hard to see out, so we moved back inside once the boat was underway. It wasn't full, but the forward facing seats were all taken and so we sat facing backwards. It was still better than our view from outside and the young feller driving the boat (today was only his second day driving this boat) was narrating the scenery. You didn't hear that in the back. So he told some really dry and not-funny jokes, but he was trying. We were told that each year 20,000 bicycles are pulled from the canals. He also said if you didn't lock your bike up (which is their main source of transportation in the city) that someone would steal it. But that was ok, just steal someone elses. He said they steal each other's bikes all the time. Funny. We passed several areas that were architecturally different and he explained why and who once lived there. They also talked about the buildings all around the city that are leaning. They were initially built on wooden pilings which eventually rotted and the buildings shifted. They are now replaced with concrete, but they are amazing to look at. Some look like with one good push they'd tumble right over.

After our cruise we walked along the pedestrian shopping area and it was packed with people. Lots of American chains, H&M, Nike, Forever 21, etc., but I was looking for either Victoria's Secret or Bath and Body because I'd like some body spray. But no luck. So we went over to check out the flower district and it was mostly bulbs. We were thinking the last time we saw it they had more fresh flowers out, but maybe the season isn't quite right. One little shop had the drawstring bags that said Amsterdam for 3 euros. That was a cheap souvenir but when I went to the counter to ask where I could find one, I stood there for what seemed to be 3 or 4 minutes as the owner/employee chatted on the phone. You could tell the conversation was personal. He saw me but made no attempt to say "just a minute" or anything. So I left and went across the street to the Christmas store. It was filled with lovely ornaments and I found a cool little manger scene for my mom (she collects them) and it had a little wooden shoe by the manger. As I went up to the counter to ask the guy to get it out of the glass drawer I saw the other section of the store that was filled with gross paraphernalia (Amsterdam is full of it, which is fine, but not in a Christmas store). Just couldn't get myself to spend my money there. I think my mom would agree. So as we walked down the street we came across a Starbucks and I popped in for a Netherlands mug for my collection. Scratching that off my list. So to date, that is my only purchase of the trip.

Heading back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner, it's now time to reveal my surprise guest of the day...SYDNE! Yep, had dinner tonight with my student employee from SIU! Well, she actually just graduated, but we are pulling her back in as a Grad student this fall...not ready to let her go just yet ;). We knew we'd both be in Europe at the same time, but it just happened that we were in Amsterdam on the same day. We've been excited about it for several weeks. My friend Olesya had made the reservation for us and gave us the name of this restaurant as a recommendation. (Thank you!) We met Sydne and her friend Stephanie at the Cafe De Jaren. The menu was limited but interesting and delicious. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was nice as well. We had fun swapping stories about our adventures and it is fun to see that they are such good travelers at such a young age. Sydne isn't afraid to try anything, so she is the perfect person to backpack through Europe. I haven't stayed at a hostel before, but she is making the best of it. She doesn't like them, but loves to travel and makes it work. Kudos, girl!

After dinner we walked to a little sweet shop and we all had a warm Nutella filled doughnut. So. Good. This little shop is next door to our hotel so we took them up to our room to check out our crazy modern digs and then up to the 6th floor for some drinks and music. The hotel has a female DJ on staff and she was rockin the place with a mix of old and new. The room was filled with "beautiful people" and was ultra chic. Sydne looked around and said, "at the hostel we are living like animals...I don't even have hair products!" I thought Guy and I were going to fall out of our chairs laughing. That was definitely the line of the day. :) So after we were all caught up, it was starting to get late and the girls still had a few places to see tonight, so we walked them out and hugged them goodbye. Can't wait to hear about the rest of her trip when she gets back. Safe travels ladies!

Well, tomorrow starts our cruising adventure. We've had a really great time so far and are looking forward to seeing a few new places. We have excursions booked for most days and it will be nice to relax in the evenings and not worry about finding places to eat. Not that we don't enjoy that, but sometimes you like no-brainer evenings. It IS vacation after all!