On Friday, we came to the city early and went to the Van Gogh Museum. It truly is a first class museum. In addition to the Van Gogh material, we both really liked the "Druskel Prints" exhibit by H.N. Werkman, a famous Dutch printer. We went to the Diamond factory across the street. Fun times. Then, off to our hotel.
Normally, hotels are hotels. But, we stayed at the QBic Hotel. Ala Japan capsule hotels, this is a bit bigger (not much) and has everything built into the "Cubi". A table, bed, tv, bathroom all in one unit. The hotel is almost fully self-service (check-in/out, food, etc.). It was neat, but I didn't like the lighting. I also didn't like that we had to ring up the caretaker every time we wanted in - because it was inside the World Trade Centre buildings and on the weekends. This was a really neat hotel though and I recommend checking them out. It was right on the metro and tram lines and provided easy access to downtown.
Friday night, we met up with C. Shaa, Justin, and Jeff for some drinks/dinner. Great times. I hadn't seen C. Shaa since my going away party in Iowa City (2005). She lives here with Justin and is a corporate lawyer. EVIL! Nah. It was a great time hanging out.
Saturday, Lo-Lin and I went shopping all day and bummed around. Lo-Lin had her first experience of the Red Light District. For those uninitiated - it really isn't that big and it really isn't as sleazy as you have heard. Yes, there are prostitutes in some of the windows and yes, marijuana is semi-legal - but really, the only thing that makes it crazy is the amount of tourists. Afterwards, we headed to Wynand Fockink....but more on that later.
We then met up Jeff and his friend Joy who was visiting from L.A. We took them down to Wynand Fockink. I discovered this place a couple of years ago when I was visiting Amsterdam - they started in 1679 and still make jenever - essentially gin, before the English taxed the French and caused chaos. It is in a back alley of downtown Amsterdam, near Dam Plaza and absolutely stunning. The staff are amazing well versed and treat everyone extremely well. After a few rounds, we decided to wander around and figure out food. We ended up at some Sichuan Chinese place - it was decent. After that, we went home. exhausted.
Sunday - WINDMILLS!
Before we headed to the windmills, we had breakfast at Pancakes Amsterdam. WOW. I ordered a savory pancake with spinach, pine nuts, garlic oil, and cheese. Lo-Lin, for some reason, got the American pancakes. Surprisingly - the American pancakes were amazing too! They had 3 stacks of pancakes with like...a 1/2 pound of bacon on top, covered in maple syrup. wow. GO THERE.
We then headed over to Zaanseschans...i.e. the land of the windmills near Amsterdam. ;) Lo-Lin, Jeff, Joy, and I hit the tourist destination early on in the day and had a wonderful time. The windmills were turning and you could go in (we didn't - 5 euros for a flight of stairs to stand on it didn't seem like a good investment). The whole place was quaint. Bought a couple of things and then headed back to Brussels.
Amsterdam is and always will be a neat place to go.
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