Our last day really snuck up on us. We were both shocked and sad to go home. We got up early to go to the airport, unsure of how long it would take to get on the plane. It turned out to be quick and easy so I enjoyed one last Euro coffee and nostalgically flipped through pictures. Nine hours, a couple of bad in-flight meals, and a view of Greenland later, we arrived back to real life.
I don’t know if I’ll ever be back to any of those cities again in my life, but I feel like we made the most of our time there. Sarah and I have been talking about, planning, and saving for this trip for two years. It turned out to be everything we had hoped for. My bank account is a bit poorer, but my photo album is much richer. Europe -- I miss you already!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Day 7: Amsterdam
That morning, we arrived at the Anne Frank house as soon as it opened. It was so somber inside –- so moving and sad.
Afterward, we walked through the red light district. We saw the brothels where the women sit in the display windows. Sarah was trying to take a picture when one of the prostitutes opened her door, gave us the finger, and made a move toward us. Our hearts skipped a beat and we rushed off the other way.
We wondered in a few Delft shops (the famous Dutch pottery style) and saw the floating flower market.
We even found the one windmill in town and had a Heineken for good measure.
Afterward, we went to the Rijks Museum to see its large Rembrandt collection. We went back to the hotel to take a nap and change for dinner. Sarah read about a bar called ‘t Arendsnest that served all Dutch beer. It turned out to be this cozy bar with tons of beers and funny 90s American music playing (ex. Living La Vida Loca).
Afterward, we decided to have one last adventure in local cuisine. We had savory pancakes (kind of like a mix between an omelet and a pancake) and bitterballs (I’m still not sure what these were -- but I do know that they were fried, dipped in mustard, and delicious).
We wondered through Amsterdam a final time, realized it was later than we thought (I never got used to military time while I was there) and went back to the hotel.
Afterward, we walked through the red light district. We saw the brothels where the women sit in the display windows. Sarah was trying to take a picture when one of the prostitutes opened her door, gave us the finger, and made a move toward us. Our hearts skipped a beat and we rushed off the other way.
We wondered in a few Delft shops (the famous Dutch pottery style) and saw the floating flower market.
We even found the one windmill in town and had a Heineken for good measure.
Afterward, we went to the Rijks Museum to see its large Rembrandt collection. We went back to the hotel to take a nap and change for dinner. Sarah read about a bar called ‘t Arendsnest that served all Dutch beer. It turned out to be this cozy bar with tons of beers and funny 90s American music playing (ex. Living La Vida Loca).
Afterward, we decided to have one last adventure in local cuisine. We had savory pancakes (kind of like a mix between an omelet and a pancake) and bitterballs (I’m still not sure what these were -- but I do know that they were fried, dipped in mustard, and delicious).
We wondered through Amsterdam a final time, realized it was later than we thought (I never got used to military time while I was there) and went back to the hotel.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Day 6: Amsterdam
We packed up the next morning, grabbed a quick hotel breakfast, and rushed off to the train station. The 2 ½-hour trip to Amsterdam was smelly and a little nightclub-like (there was a guy in full leather in the row behind us), but relatively uneventful.
We caught a taxi from Central Station to the hotel. The hotel was really cute on the outside and in a great location, but a little dormish on the inside. I think we were spoiled in Brussels.
We left our bags in the room and had the hotel make us a reservation for dinner. We figured we'd up our chances for a good table if the hostess thought we spoke Dutch! We headed out to Vondelpark, famous for its population of tropical birds (accidentally released by a private owner).
We learned quickly to stay out of the bike lanes -- the bikes are serious! We went to the Van Gogh museum which turned out to by my favorite of the trip. Afterward, we walked to Sama Sebo, an Indonesian restaurant recommended by one of Sarah’s coworkers. We were told to order Rijsttafel -- 18 tapas-like plates that put us both in an Asian food coma. There was one more stop for the night though – a boat tour through the canals.
(They drive these in the bike lanes sometimes.)
(These are from the daytime. The pics from that night didn't turn out very well.)
There was some Amsterdam history, a few cheese jokes form the skipper, and a lot of beautiful scenery. Afterward, we decided to call it an early night -- both of us were beginning to feel the effects of a crazy week!
We caught a taxi from Central Station to the hotel. The hotel was really cute on the outside and in a great location, but a little dormish on the inside. I think we were spoiled in Brussels.
We left our bags in the room and had the hotel make us a reservation for dinner. We figured we'd up our chances for a good table if the hostess thought we spoke Dutch! We headed out to Vondelpark, famous for its population of tropical birds (accidentally released by a private owner).
We learned quickly to stay out of the bike lanes -- the bikes are serious! We went to the Van Gogh museum which turned out to by my favorite of the trip. Afterward, we walked to Sama Sebo, an Indonesian restaurant recommended by one of Sarah’s coworkers. We were told to order Rijsttafel -- 18 tapas-like plates that put us both in an Asian food coma. There was one more stop for the night though – a boat tour through the canals.
(They drive these in the bike lanes sometimes.)
(These are from the daytime. The pics from that night didn't turn out very well.)
There was some Amsterdam history, a few cheese jokes form the skipper, and a lot of beautiful scenery. Afterward, we decided to call it an early night -- both of us were beginning to feel the effects of a crazy week!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Day 5: Brussels
After a short night’s sleep, we packed our bags and were off to catch the train. We bought one last croissant and some OJ (because one can’t survive on bread alone) and were off to Brussels. Almost immediately, the gentle lull of the train rocked us both asleep.
Once in Belgium, we dropped our bags off at the hotel (by far the fanciest of our digs that week) and headed out to make the most of our one day in Brussels. After a short detour (oops), we saw the Botanical Gardens and the magnificent St. Michel.
Next was Grand Place where we shared a Belgian waffle and bought a few more gifts.
After some more sightseeing...
...we came back to the hotel to check in, use the Internet, and change. Hotel Bloom was a recommendation from my cousins and turned out to be as swank as they described.
We headed back to Grand Place where we had a traditional Brussels dinner of mussels and French fries. We followed it up with a few beers at Delirium.
Full and happy, we caught a cab back to the hotel and called it a night.
On a New York note, this week marks two years north. Cheers to another year trying to figure out how to make my heart and head work together!
Once in Belgium, we dropped our bags off at the hotel (by far the fanciest of our digs that week) and headed out to make the most of our one day in Brussels. After a short detour (oops), we saw the Botanical Gardens and the magnificent St. Michel.
Next was Grand Place where we shared a Belgian waffle and bought a few more gifts.
After some more sightseeing...
...we came back to the hotel to check in, use the Internet, and change. Hotel Bloom was a recommendation from my cousins and turned out to be as swank as they described.
We headed back to Grand Place where we had a traditional Brussels dinner of mussels and French fries. We followed it up with a few beers at Delirium.
Full and happy, we caught a cab back to the hotel and called it a night.
On a New York note, this week marks two years north. Cheers to another year trying to figure out how to make my heart and head work together!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Day 4: Paris
We started the day in the Jardin du Luxembourg.
After Sarah took another awkward picture of another person's kid (She's such a daring photog. I like to think it's out of pure love of the blog)...
P.S. Riding ponies is apparently a big thing among kids with accents.
...we set out to see the La Fontaine Medicis and the Pantheon.
Then we walked to the Isle of St. Louis where we wandered through a few high-end stores.
We detoured to Notre Dame next. The crowds were large, but the wait was worth it – so peaceful and beautiful.
Before heading back to the hotel, we stopped at the equally beautiful and famous Cimetiere Montparnasse.
Then we were off to the Eiffel Tower to see the light show. My pictures don’t do it any justice.
A little burnt out on French food, we found a sushi restaurant on our walk back. We ended the night with champagne cocktails and a toast to our last night in Paris!
After Sarah took another awkward picture of another person's kid (She's such a daring photog. I like to think it's out of pure love of the blog)...
P.S. Riding ponies is apparently a big thing among kids with accents.
...we set out to see the La Fontaine Medicis and the Pantheon.
Then we walked to the Isle of St. Louis where we wandered through a few high-end stores.
We detoured to Notre Dame next. The crowds were large, but the wait was worth it – so peaceful and beautiful.
Before heading back to the hotel, we stopped at the equally beautiful and famous Cimetiere Montparnasse.
Then we were off to the Eiffel Tower to see the light show. My pictures don’t do it any justice.
A little burnt out on French food, we found a sushi restaurant on our walk back. We ended the night with champagne cocktails and a toast to our last night in Paris!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Day 3: Paris
Bright and early, we set out for the Eiffel Tower. Before getting in the lengthy line of cranky tourists and hyper kids, we bought chocolate banana crepes from a street vendor. You can’t help but be zen when you’re eating this!
We both agreed that the Eiffel tower is one of those cliché landmarks that completely lives up to the hype. We took the elevator to the top where we transformed into Paris paparazzi.
By the time we were back on the ground, we were hungry again. We bought Parisian hot dogs (but wimped out on the vin chaud). We headed to Champs Elysses for a little shopping and to see the Arch de Triumph.
After wasting a few dollars in currency exchange, we lugged the evidence back to the hotel. We had a glass of wine, changed, and left for Le Coupole. This was a guide book-recommend. We ordered wine, salad, and fish and the most decadent profiteroles on the planet.
Sarah and I decided that all days should start and end with bread and chocolate! After a long meal and stroll through Montparnasse, we realized it was midnight and time for bed!
We both agreed that the Eiffel tower is one of those cliché landmarks that completely lives up to the hype. We took the elevator to the top where we transformed into Paris paparazzi.
By the time we were back on the ground, we were hungry again. We bought Parisian hot dogs (but wimped out on the vin chaud). We headed to Champs Elysses for a little shopping and to see the Arch de Triumph.
After wasting a few dollars in currency exchange, we lugged the evidence back to the hotel. We had a glass of wine, changed, and left for Le Coupole. This was a guide book-recommend. We ordered wine, salad, and fish and the most decadent profiteroles on the planet.
Sarah and I decided that all days should start and end with bread and chocolate! After a long meal and stroll through Montparnasse, we realized it was midnight and time for bed!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)