Amsterdam

Hello all!

Well last weekend I went on my last trip to visit my cousin Rob in Amsterdam (do not fret I will still write more posts before I'm done with school!). I really wanted to go to Majorca next weekend because I am done with all of my finals really early but everyone else has finals so that's not happening. So, about our Amsterdam vacation. Let's just say it was interesting.

So we got to the airport really early because we have had so many travel problems that we just wanted to be safe. Then out flight was delayed an hour and a half, plus we had to sit for another half an hour to 45 minutes after we got on the plane. So our flight got in super late. While we were waiting in line to buy train tickets at the airport, I felt someone tugging on my backpack. So I turned around and I saw the lady behind me move her hand and act like nothing was wrong, but SHE TRIED TO STEAL FROM ME. I mean I have always been careful and all that was in there was my pajamas and my acting journal but still. I was cranky and this did not make me any happier. Then we had to take a train to our hostel but the transportation in Amsterdam is super confusing, so we got on the wrong train then had to figure out what to do and wait for the one we needed. Then we got to where we needed to be but our hostel gave awful directions so we were searching for our hostel for 45 minutes. So we ended up getting to our hostel over 4 hours after we were supposed to arrive. Lucky for us the desk worker was really nice and stayed late because check in ended at 10 and we didn't get there until around 11:15. After we were all checked in we just went straight to bed because we were tired and frustrated after our difficult day of travels.

Pretty sunset from the airplane

Amsterdam central

The next day we still had travel struggles, but it improved. We got to the train/metro station early to get tickets, but then it said we had to have exact coins for tickets, which we didn't have. None of the stores were there yet and we did not speak dutch, so we couldn't have asked anyone for change (nor did we really feel comfortable doing that). So we waited a half an hour until the information desk guy came and then he told us we were trying to buy the wrong tickets the whole time. Awesome. So we got our tickets and made it to Amsterdam central. Then we went to buy tickets to the flower garden, called Keukenhof, where we were meeting Rob and his friends. So we waited in line and bought the tickets, and were going to go to the Anne Frank house since we hadn't been able to do that the night before, but we asked how to get to the gardens beforehand to make sure we didn't get lost. Good thing we asked too because we thought it would only be half an hour but they said it would be over an hour (with waiting it ended up being 2).

Area by our hostel (rainy)

Heineken Music Hall

Me rocking out 

Ordered hot chocolate- gave it to me on a stick!

Making hot chocolate to keep warm

Canals

Bridge

So we set out on the long trek to get to the gardens. While we were waiting, Amsterdam weather so nicely decided to start pouring rain and hailing. It was a wonderful experience. Luckily when we got to the gardens it decided to get sunny and warm up, which was really nice. It would have been kind of miserable if we had to walk around in the rain all day. So we got to the gardens and poked around the tourist shop while we were waiting for Rob and his friends. This time it was Rob, his friend Spencer who we had met before and 3 other friends, Paul, Miguel (who was from Madrid originally) and another guy who was Belgian and I'm very sad to say I have no idea how to spell or pronounce his name. But anyway after we met up with them we set off to explore these massive gardens.

"Smile guys"- good work

There we go

The gardens were beautiful. It was really nice to just walk around and enjoy it all. It was also nice to catch up with my cousin before I head back to the states. I think we have bonded a lot over this experience. I also liked getting to know all of Rob's friends. They're pretty cool for engineers (kidding, kidding, they are cool people in general). I am really happy that they all enjoyed seeing flowers. Most guys wouldn't admit that, but it was really awesome so of course they enjoyed it. We got to walk across a pond, but me being the coordinated person that I am almost fell in. Spencer didn't help when he almost pushed me in. But once I was on land, I thought it was funny. After walking around and adventuring for over four hours, Rob, Meg and I decided to head back to Amsterdam. We tried to convince his friends to come with us but they were lame and played chess on a large chess board instead.

Windmill

Spencer, Paul, Miguel in the maze

rows of tulips

"fabio" tulip

Me and Meg

Me and Rob :)

Me in front of a fountain

Spencer and Paul playing chess

little kid dominating chess

Funny little story. So we were sitting on the bus slowly idling back through the small town where the gardens are back toward the airport (which is how we got back to Amsterdam). I was looking out the window and I saw a group of guys just drinking on the side of the road. Well I thought it was one of those blackout windows where I could see out but no one could see in, so I was staring at one of the guys (I don't even remember why). But it was not one of those windows so he saw me looking at him and his eyes lit up and he waved so I just turned away and pretended not to see. Well apparently he got up and started to chase the bus. I didn't see this but Rob and Megan told me. I just thought it was kind of funny. I kind of wish he had caught up with it because I would have liked to see what would have happened. But I think it's because I look dutch (there were 3 separate instances where I was perceived as dutch- one person even asked me if I was sure I was from the US).

But, when we got back to Amsterdam we were all pretty hungry since we only had little ham sandwiches for lunch, so we stopped for dinner. We got pannekoken which is the dutch word for pancakes. They are really big, thin (kind of like crepes) pancakes. I got apples, honey, whipped cream, vanilla ice cream and cinnamon on it. It was super delicious. I also got BACON! Although I am not a big breakfast eater at home, for some reason here I have a craving for the breakfast my dad makes on weekends everyday.

pannekoeken- so yummy!

After dinner we went to the Anne Frank house. It was a really moving experience. I read her diary when I was in 8th grade, but I don't really remember it. To imagine what they had to go through is unbelievable. It was pretty emotional. Rob was really good at explaining everything to us because he had just read her diary. It makes me want to reread it again now that I am older and can full understand it. (I couldn't take pictures inside so this is the outside)

Anne Frank

House

Second skinniest building in the world

After that Rob walked us around and pointed out thing, acting as our unofficial tour guide. He showed us some coffeeshops (which I naively had no idea what they actually were) and then took us to the edge of the red light district. I don't know what I really expected but it was not girls standing in windows with red lights above them. I am naive about these things, which I am okay with. We walked back toward Amsterdam station and parted ways because it was pretty late. It was sad to leave Rob but I was really grateful I got to spend so much time with him over this semester. Then Meg and I headed back to our hostel and went to bed.

Exit of the red light district

The next morning we headed early to the airport but we had issues getting there (of course right?) because there was a train crash the day before. Scary thing is that we were probably on the train right behind that on our way into Amsterdam earlier. Luckily we were all safe. Anyway, once we got to the airport I bought some stroopwafels, which are little mini waffles with carmel filling. They were really good. I wish I could eat some more. While Megan and I were waiting for them to put up our gate a couple left a bag by us. We were like wow they're really trusting. Then they did not come back for over a half an hour which seemed kind of sketchy so we decided to tell their security. They came over and took the bag away. The couple came back a little while later and they were pissed. But not our problem, I'd rather be safe than blown up by a bomb. And yeah that was pretty much Amsterdam. It was a fun but a little bit challenging last trip.

Stroopwafel

That's about all for now. Studying for finals and such. Today was the last day of classes. It's crazy that I am almost done. It has been really awesome. Also, I have over 2,000 views on this blog so thank you so much to everyone! It seriously means the world to me that so many people take the time to read and care about what I am doing.

Love,
Ashley

Milan/Lake Como

Hola,

Well we have reached the last stop on my Italian journey, Milan. We were all more than a bit tired when we arrived in Milan in the evening. We walked into a very nice looking hostel and were greeted by a friendly staff with a free welcome drink and dinner. We were definitely okay with that after a long day of traveling. And the dinner was pretty good too. After that, we put all our stuff away and headed out to explore Milan. Surprisingly, all the stores were closed when we walked out. For the fashion capital of the world, they sure have early hours. Everything was pretty much closed, so we went back and just hung out at our hostel. Out of all the hostels we went to, I have to say that it was probably the nicest that we went to. The rooms were really big, with a cool design and we also had a balcony, plus there were so many other things included. Apparently it was rated the number 2 hostel or something like that so it was really nice as you can imagine.

Church

Arch

Inside hostel

our room

Mike and Megan alta

our names (kind of)

The next morning, we got up and ate some breakfast before heading out. We went to the train station to try to get tickets to Lake Como. We had some issues but we decided to go for it even though it was supposed to rain, and I am so glad we did. When we got there it was sunny and so beautiful. Lake Como is a gorgeous little town, and I loved just looking out on the lake. We just walked through town and goofed around. We wanted to rent vespas but they did not have any places where we could do that.

Castle outside the train station

Gelato

Lake Como

Again

Little shore

Cloudy

Me and Megan alta

Me

the four of us

Me again

We got lunch and then walked around some more trying to find touristy shops (no such luck). Then we came across a really good looking bakery and so we had to stop in and get a little treat. It was a good thing we did too because about a minute after we stepped inside it started thunder storming and hailing. We were all a little excited because we haven't seen a lot of rain here in Madrid. We rain across the street to the train station though and waited inside for the next train back.

Panini for lunch

really yummy cake

Mike went and met up with some of his friends, so me and my roomies took the time to do some shopping. Then Megan alta and Stephanie had to head to the airport (they slept there overnight because they originally had an early flight and we had a late one but both of them were cancelled and combined). So Meg and I went and got some dinner, and it was the best pizza I had the whole trip. Then of course we had to get our last gelato. It was delicious. Then we headed back to the hostel to chill for the night. Mike brought his friends back to the hostel for a bit so we talked to them for a bit before going to bed.

Pizza

Gelato

The next morning we woke up bright and early to leave for the airport. I woke up feeling really congested and just all around sick. We had some trouble getting to the airport (of course) but we got there with plenty of time. One thing I thought was really weird was that we didn't have to show our boarding pass when we went through security so I guess essentially anyone can go through security there. Anyway, we got back from our flight safe and sound, but tired and a bit on the cranky side. Overall though, it was a great trip, probably my favorite one. I am so glad that I got to go with my 3 awesome roomies, they are so great. That's it for Italy, my Amsterdam post will be coming shortly. Sorry it has been taking awhile, it's the last week of school so I've been finishing up my work. It's crazy I only have 2 weeks left here!

Hasta luego,
Ash