Amsterdam Update #3

Hello Everyone!

Today is my last day in Amsterdam. I leave at 2:30 in the afternoon for Brussels. (That would be 7:30 am your time!) Today I went to my hosts lecture at the university. She teaches a occupational therapy discussion on Mondays. We biked from the apartment to the university and I just sat and read a book and listened to the converstation. Now I am deciding if I want to go for a bike ride before I take the metro to the bus station. I have about 2.5 hours until I leave so I might go ride around.

Yesterday after I walked around amsterdam some more I went for a 2 hour bike ride. It was wonderful! There might be some nice places to bike in the Midwest but, nothing like these trails. There is a whole bike path system here in the city and outside the city. It is amazing and beautiful. This bike paths are not just a single path that goes from point A to point B. The paths cross one another, go into random roads, cut through park, and under roads. I had a huge map with me but, I still didn't know where I was going. So, I just rode and ended up in a park. I will have pictures up soon of the bike trip.

My next entry will be from Belgium! (My second home.)

Savannah

Amsterdam Update #2

Hello Everyone!

I again am starting my day today with a visit to the library. The weather outside is cold and windy but, no rain yet!!! I am dressed in warm clothes so the wind won't make me sick. Today I think I will take the different metro lines out of Amsterdam and visit some neighborhoods. I normally take the 54 to the area I am staying but, I think I will take either the 50, 51, or 53 to see what there is around the city. If it is not raining when I return to the apartment tonight I hope to go for another bike ride.

Yesterday I managed to walk around a good portion of the city. I think I was walking from 12 (noon) until 5:00 pm. It was wonderful and the time flew by so quickly. Every street there is something to look at and marvel over. There are many people around so it is fun to watch others and see how they act. I went to a market and thought about buying some cheese and crackers but, I was not hungry enough. Today, if the market is open I will buy some fruit or a sandwhich. I forgot that I wanted to bike today in the city and left without asking to take the bike. This might be a good thing because biking in Amsterdam is CRAZY! I was only going to bike on the side streets. Last night I went for a bike ride with my hosts and we watched some African Dancing. The area where they live is very diverse and interesting.

Tomorrow I will pack up my bags and travel by bus to Belgium. The bus ride departs Amstel Sation which is close to where I am staying. From there to Brussels it is a 4-5 hour bus ride! I know it sounds like a long time on the bus but, at this point in  my trip saving money it great! So bus ticket cost 10 dollars and train was about....40 dollars.

Amsterdam Update #1

Hello Everyone!

I have been getting some questions about when I will post an entry about Europe. To everyone who reads this I am safe and sound! I arrived in Amsterdam on Friday at 6 am central time. Here in Amsterdam it was about 1 pm. I managed to find my way into Amsterdam central and buy a three day metro/bus pass This has proved to be a great purchase at 15.50 euro. I have unlimited use and this can take me all over and outside of Amsterdam to places such as the area I am staying in.

The town that I am staying in is called Bijlmer. This is only about 20mins outside of the center of Amsterdam. It is a very quick tram ride. The area is very basic and a bit odd but, the people I am staying with are great. I have yet to explore it but, I will head to the net metro stop and check out the stores. There are two girls and both are very nice. I decided to couch surf because I wanted to meet some locals and I actually felt safer doing that instead of a hostel. For those who don't know, couchsurfing is a online database of people who offer there houses for travelers to stay. It sounds scary but, it is wonderful if you know what to do. Elenora Hof is hosting me and we shared a wonderful breakfast of my oatmeal and some barkery bread!

So far I have just done some walking in Amsterdam central. I took the tram back into town yesterdam evening and just enjoyed a walk around the area. I watch some Holland Beach Soccer in dam square. I also walked into the area that my dad and I visited when we were here in 2007.

Today I am going to explore some more areas of the city and maybe go to the zoo. The weather is very windy and cloudy today. So, I am bundled up but, still looking cute. Elenora gave me some maps and guides and told me a few places to go. I would love to go to some museums but, they are expensive here and I want to save that for London and Italy!

Overall Amsterdam is so cute. It is full of tourist but, people sure do know how to dress over here. They are not afraid of fashion and I respect that. I have today and Sunday here and then I leave Monday afternoon for Brussels! Also to note I wish we had a great metro system like they do here, it makes travel so much easier. Once I have a computer in Belgium I will post pictures.

Savannah