Amsterdam
Peer pressure brought me to Amsterdam for the first time. When I first started flying one of my classmates from training was based in DC and only flew international. He convinced me to come out to DC and jump on whatever flight he’d end up working.
Lucky me I got first class on the way there and even better my friend had to wait on me the whole flight.
After our longer than anticipated nap we headed out from the hotel to spend our short time exploring.
If I ever get the chance to get back to the Netherlands I’d love to stay in one of the house boats. I’d risk the motion sickness.
The street vendors had hung up flowers which I would’ve loved to bring home but to avoid a conflict with customs I brought back tulip bulbs for my grandma and mom. I’m pretty sure the bulbs didn’t thrive in their gardens but it was worth a shot.
It was my first time in Amsterdam but my friend had been there a few times before and had a few favorite spots.
First on the list was a bar called Queers Cafe. After an adult beverage or two we headed to the infamous Red-light District. For me, it was nothing I expected.
I expected it to be obvious and over the top. However, walking down the quaint streets hardly anything shifted from the normal streets to the Red-light District. All of a sudden instead of seeing sweet souvenirs in the window there was naked ladies.
As a girl who grew up in Iowa it was no doubt a bit jarring.
After corrupting my innocence we finished our night at The Old Sailor bar.
This place was a little more in my range of comfort. Better yet we chatted with some handsome members of the Royal Netherlands Army. No better way to spend time in a foreign country than to bond with the locals.
By blind luck I got to be served by my friend again on the way home and yes I slept the whole flight while he worked.
If you want to see a highlight from my Amsterdam adventure click here and click through my picture below!
