Day 12: Amsterdam

Day 12 began our mini adventure to Amsterdam.  Our itinerary included: trying to find Ninna an apartment (she’s going to study there in the fall), meeting up with our Dutch friends who studied at Hofstra last year, and basically partying.  Judge me all you want, I’m a 20 year old college student–we get that a lot.

We woke up too early for either of our liking to catch our flight to Amsterdam, and just like the last two week of my life, the day was filled with trams, trains, planes and many a form of public transportation (which by the way, I prefer abroad so much more than here in NJ/NY).  I have to give a shoutout to Nynke (Ninna’s friend/Hofstra alumni from Amsterdam) for lending us her perfectly adorable apartment while she is here in the States for the summer at Notre Dame.  We would have been sleeping on floors if it weren’t for her.  Her apartment was right above Albert Cuyp Market, one of my favorites in Amsterdam.  I would definitely recommend that one for clothes/shoes/purses and even foods/fruits (very fresh and organic).

The second we arrived in Amsterdam we were rushing to meet Ninna’s friend/future roomie to go to an apartment showing.  I just have to say while I’m on this topic of apartments that I discovered a new love for realty/architecture/interior design on this trip.  The apartment we saw was seriously awesome in the way it was designed, but only if it were for one person because the bedrooms gave its owner almost no privacy.  The only thing that separated them was a ladder to climb through a hole in one’s ceiling and the other’s floor.  Everything else was great and spacious, but the price was not worth the extreme lack of privacy.

After the apartment showing we sat down for some beer and discussion.  Then we went to a place called Burgermeester for more beer and of course, burgers.  It was extremely yummy and I would really enjoy one right now.  Unique burgers and delicious dressings.  When we were too full of burger, we wisely decided to go to a small bar to sit outside along the canal and drink more beer.  I don’t remember what the place was, but I think it was across the canal from the Anne Frank Museum.  I was loving the beer prices.  Needless to say, they weren’t like Oslo.

 

From the moment I arrived in Amsterdam, I was overwhelmed with excitement and I had a familiar feeling–the same one I had when I first set foot on Hofstra’s campus.  Long story short, I was having a lot of trouble deciding what college to go to, and Hofstra was nothing but a safety school for me.  When I went on that campus tour, I never wanted to go anywhere else; it was like something inside me clicked.  Whether it was because of the atmosphere or the good vibes I was getting from everyone around me, I felt the same way about Amsterdam from the first few moments I got there.  It was a little frightening, but I can’t help my feelings.  Turns out my instincts were totally right because I really loved my time in Amsterdam.

The people were great.  Friendly, sweet, helpful.  Take for example Nynke!  She offered for Ninna and I to stay in her apartment while she was on the other side of the world.  How many people trust in others anymore?

Amsterdam is a perfect little city.  Lots of young, happy, beer drinking people.  So many things to do, places to see.  Years and years of history to learn about.  The architecture and style is also impressive.  In my opinion, it lacks a little bit of meaningful culture but I do think that’s changing (and I could be wrong).

One of my favorite parts about the people and the city itself was the public transportation systems and use of bikes!  I think I’m going to save that for Day 16 blog though, because this one is getting a bit lengthy.

More Amsterdam tomorrow!

Here’s a photo of my favorite part of the apartment we stayed in: