Day 37

First full day in Amsterdam.  Decided today that I would hit up the Van Gogh museum first and then walk my way to the Anne Frank House before heading back to the boat.  I knew that would be enough walking alone.  In between I would go back and hit up the Leidsplein for a coffee shop.

Once I found the Van Gogh museum, the queue wasn’t too long to get in.  I heard that this was a must see, and everyone who said that was right.  I have always enjoyed Van Gogh’s works of art, but until you see one (or more) up close…you have no idea how beautiful and brilliant this man was.  The way he used his brush and the strokes he made with the paint…undescribable.  Van Gogh is now one of my favorite painters ever.  The unfortunate thing is that unless you have seen one of his works up close, you’ll never get the full impact of his brilliance.  I am still stunned by what I saw and could go back again and again to view his work.

After I left the Van Gogh museum, I made my way back up to the Leidsplein to find a coffee shop.  I was looking for a couple in particular and only found the Bull Dog.  There were several entrances into this venue and after walking into three of the four doors I was over it.  So I started to walk and found my way to a little shop called Rookies.  There I bought a Space Cake and a joint to go.  When in Amsterdam…one must partake in the fun and goods.  Since I knew I had a great bit of walking to do, and not knowing how strong the Space Cake would be…I opted to only eat half of it.  That was just perfect, at first.  I found my way up to the Anne Frank House taking my time.  Too bad the queue was massive otherwise I would have gone in.  However, I was in no mood to waste time standing in line when I could be seeing other parts of the city.  So down the hatch went the rest of the Space Cake and I went walking.  Now here’s where things started to go wrong.  I forgot that Amsterdam is not structured like most grid cities.  No, it’s more of a circular city where one can easily get lost if not paying attention.  And that’s what I did.  When I thought I was going one way, I was finding myself circling around and around.  Okay, it is pretty funny but my body didn’t think so when I found myself at the DAM a second time.  By now, I was a little spacey and my knees and feet were starting to really ache.  I was determined though to make my way all the way back to the boat by walking.  Of course I did it, but was ready to fall to the floor once I hit my cabin.

Once I settled in to the cabin to get off of my feet, I was seriously looking forward to a nap or to just fall asleep period.  It didn’t take long, for the Space Cake was in full force.  I curled up in a nice little ball and fell asleep until about 4 a.m. where I was wide awake.  With nothing to do, I chose to exit the boat and walk up the pier trying out my other purchase from the coffee shop.  Let me tell you…Amsterdam does not disappoint in the herbal area.  LMAO. 

Tomorrow, I will head out to the Zaanse Schans to go and see a cute little cheese farm and little village that dates back to the 1600s.

Day 36

Left Brugge today for Amsterdam.  It was about a five hour journey total because my first train was late and I had to wait an hour for the next one to Amsterdam from Antwerpen.  No worries though, I wasn’t in a rush.  I did make the mistake though of sitting in the first class train which I ended up paying a little extra for.  By the time they had told me we were almost to Amsterdam and the next car behind me was packed.  Instead of dealing with my luggage and such, I chose to pay the extra fare and stay where I was.

Once I arrived, I was super tired and couldn’t find the taxi area out of the train station at Amsterdam Central.  Finally I found the cab stand, got my luggage in and then the driver said he couldn’t take me because the boat hostel was too close.  It was raining outside and I could barely understand him and he pulled forward and took my bags out of the car.  I told the taxi security guy that I had no clue where to go and that my bags were heavy and I didn’t understand why I couldn’t be taken to my destination.  Turns out, I was close by and the taxis do not like to go to the boats for whatever reason.  The security guy told the driver exactly where and how to get to my boat and that he was going to take me.  Granted I paid double to be taken there but I didn’t care.  Saturday, when I go back to the train station, I will make the walk from the boat.  It won’t be fun…but it will save me money and it’s not an impossible walk.

Once I checked into the hostel, a cute boat where my cabin is the size of a closet, I headed to get some money and food from a grocery store for the night.  I was exhausted and had no intentions of going out exploring.  So I got back, sat in the main area where I sat on the computer chatting on YIM until I was ready to go to bed.  Not a real exciting day…but I made it to my final destination and am ready to see Amsterdam and go home.  LOL.

Day 35

Brugge, ah Brugge. One of my most favorite visited places now. A medieval Belgium city that still retains its charm and beauty. One full day of walking around is really all you need…but for those wishing to take their time and relax, Brugge is the place to be.

My day started like all the others…slowly waking and getting ready to head out and about. There was no hot water in the hostel so I ended up washing the hair in my room’s sink. Man that was cold, brrrrrr. I decided to just walk around and take in the sights at first when I stumbled upon a canal tour. No hesitations there…I walked right up and paid my fee and soaked in the beauty around me as I waited for the boat to arrive. It was about a 30 min boat ride; just long enough. I wish I was one of those writers that could explain in great detail how beautiful everything is there. It’s so calming and peaceful…if one was ever stressed in Brugge I would seriously question why.

After the canal tour, I hopped off and went on my little walk about. I knew that I needed to end up in the main square so that I could get to the Belfry Tower and the ‘chips’ shop on the right hand side. As I started walking, there are little boutiques and shops everywhere. Street vendors, bicyclists and horse drawn buggies. Once I ended up in the main square, I was amazed at how many chocolate shops there are. I mean I know Belgium chocolate is supposed to be the finest in the world, but it seemed like every other shop was a chocolate shop. My head was literally spinning with all the options. This was a child’s biggest candy fantasy. I wasn’t ready to buy chocolate just yet, so I headed to get some ‘chips’ and eat them in front of the Belfry. Afterwards, I walked up to the ticket and gift shop for the Belfry and seriously contemplated walking to the top. After a good, long thought…I chose not to climb the Belfry. I know, I know…it was one of the things I really wanted to do however, with all of the walking and climbing that I have done…I just don’t think my knee could have handled it. Good thing I didn’t do it, because I later heard someone say that it was just okay. So now it was time to buy chocolates…and chocolates did I buy. I spent about $70 on chocolates alone. Most gifts of course (how dare you think I would buy that all for myself). Then…I walked back over to the Heilig-Bloedbasiliek, the Holy Blood Basilica, and went in for a look-see. What a beautiful church. The ceiling was of painted wood slats…like nothing I had seen before. I will have to find some pics of the interior and save them from online. My camera sometimes doesn’t like taking indoor pics so I didn’t even waste my time.

After my full day of walking around Brugge…I decided that it was time to head back to the hostel and chill out for a while before getting dinner and some beer. I ended up getting some pasta and four beers around 8 p.m. and was ready to settle in for the night and just stay online and whatnot. But around 11 p.m., when the hostel lounge shuts down, a group of us were not ready to say goodnight and headed over to the pub/bar on the corner. It was myself, two Canadians, five Aussies and a Kiwi. A good group of people. Finally after my sixth beer, I decided to head back with Scott, Beth and the two Canadians and head to bed. Tomorrow I head out to Amsterdam. I really wish I had stayed in Brugge a little while longer. I could have, and should have, passed up Amsterdam altogether and just stayed here, relaxed and wrote for my thesis. No worries…tomorrow takes me on another journey.

Day 34

Finally in Bruges!  Had a wonderful time in Paris sightseeing and seeing a friend I hadn’t seen in a couple of years.  So thanks to him for being such a gracious host when it was a busy time in his schedule.

My day began around 9 a.m.  I had to check out by 11 a.m. and yet I didn’t need to be on the train to Bruges until 6:25 p.m.  That meant I had almost a full day of sightseeing.  What to do oh what to do?  I decided to make my way over to the Cimetiere Du Pere Lachaise to visit the grave of Jim Morrison.  Not only did I go there for his grave, but I also visited the graves of Georges Bizet, Frédéric Chopin, Auguste Comte, Molière, Édith Piaf and Oscar Wilde.  I spent about 2.5 hours in the cemetery and enjoyed every minute of it.  Well, except when I saw crows.  While I love cemeteries, I do get a little freaked out when I see crows.  Crows in a cemetery represent souls that have not yet passed on…and there were a few crows today in certain areas. 

When I was done with the cemetery, I sat on a bench to rest my knees and feet and tried to decide where to go next.  Cobble stone roads and walkways are not good on my poor little knees.  I was hurting just a little when I was done with the cemetery yet had about four hours to still kill before needing to be at the train station.  After looking at the map of Paris and the Metro…I chose to head over to the Pantheon.  The Pantheon is … 

After the Pantheon, I was finally done and tired of sightseeing.  I was hungry and ready to get to the train station for the next part of my journey.  Or as Nick in London would say…”the next leg of my tour.”  Oh how I miss the boys at Watering Can Media already.  I do hope that we can all get together next Saturday when I have my stop over in London before heading home on Sunday. 

Anyways…back to today.  I got back to the hotel around 4 p.m., grabbed my luggage and hailed a cab to Paris du Nord train station.  The cab driver kind of laughed at me when I told him where I needed to go.  I know it was close enough, about a 20 min walk, but that I had been on my feet walking for over five hours and I needed a cab at that point.  LOL.  Call me lazy, call me a lazy American, I don’t care.  Ha ha ha ha.  Finally after 2.5 hours of waiting at the train station, I was on my train to Bruges in Belgium.  If any of you have never seen the movie “In Bruges” do watch it, it’s what drew me to come here.  Not a very happy movie but there are some funny parts in it. 

I got in at 9 p.m. tonight and quickly hailed a cab for the hostel.  The driver was extra nice and showed me a few of the best restaurants to try out.  Being overly anxious to get some beer and the internet, I checked into my single room here at the hostel, packed up my laptop, and headed down to the common area and t.v. room.  The only outlets available for my computer were in the t.v. room.  In there I met a nice young boy from Holland traveling with his father, a couple from Melbourne, Australia and a nice young man from Argentina.  I think I’m gonna like this hostel situation.  I have a single room with a locking door for privacy.  I didn’t want to risk dealing with others in a dorm like room since I’m a very light sleeper.  I also didn’t want to risk my snoring and keeping anyone else awake.  The room isn’t up to hotel standard but the bed is comfy and I have my privacy so that’s all that matters.  I’m only here to sleep anyways so as long as it’s clean and the bed is comfy…who cares.

So after three beers and a long day of being on my feet and traveling, I think I’m finally ready to head off to la la land (zzzzzz).  Tomorrow I have a big day ahead of me by walking around town, walking up the Belfrye Tower, getting some damn good frites, looking for Belgium chocolates for friends and family in the States, and going to the Heilig-Bloedbasiliek, the Holy Blood Basilica.  I would say goodnight in Flemish if I knew how…but I don’t so…Good night and sleep well.

Day 33

Today was a chill out day.  I didn’t get in until early this a.m. from being out and was up and out of the hotel by 11:30 a.m.  So needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep.  However, I got up and out of the hotel because the staff wanted to get in and clean the room.  Besides…it looked beautiful out with blue skies and I decided to take advantage of this and walk up to Sacré Coeur.  Being a short walk from the hotel, I also chose today to be the day for gift shopping.  I struck out yesterday for others, so I was determined to get all I needed today…good choice I must say.

I chose to walk up to the Sacré Coeur which is a grandiose church located at the top of a hill in Montmartre.  It’s different in its structure with rounded domes versus pointed triangular spires.  Being a Sunday…there were a good number of people out enjoying the beautiful view.  The walk up the hill wasn’t bad…it almost reminded me of walking up to Lone Mountain on the USF campus, but a little longer.  At each level, I stopped to enjoy the view and just take it all in.  I knew I had plenty of time to just casually make my way to the top.  There were some gray clouds in the sky, but the view was stunning.  Views in Paris are spectacular.  When it’s clear, you can see for miles and it can be breath taking.  I walked around the church grounds taking pictures from just about every angle.  Then I found that to the rear and left of the church (when facing it) there were a couple streets set up in a market style.  I was still weaving in and out of every tourist shop trying to find French dolls for my nieces.  Finally I found two…now auntie Katie won’t be headed to the dog house.  One thing I should learn is never promise your nieces gifts you aren’t sure you’re going to be able to get.  But I mean come on…where can you not find dolls?  Well, almost no Paris touristy trinket shops have dolls.  LOL.  Well, the ones I had found previously were porcelain, and the girls are not old enough to get those kinds of doll.  Sorry girls. 

So that was pretty much my Sunday.  It’s only 3:40 p.m. and my last full day in Paris.  I think that after about five weeks of traveling I’m kinda over it and ready to head back home.  I travel on to Bruges tomorrow and then to Amsterdam on Wednesday.  Saturday I head back to London for a night and Sunday I’m finally on a plane home only to drop the luggage and start moving my apartment from the 1^st to the 3^rd floor.  In addition to that…I also need to get a first draft of my thesis over to my advisor since I will only have 30 days before the final product is due.  This is another reason I am choosing to stay in this afternoon…to write up some lit reviews for some readings that I’ve previously read through.  Later, I will have a late dinner with my friend before saying avoir and merci for his time and generosity.  Tomorrow, I will have a few hours before I have to be at the train station to go from Paris to Bruges…so I’m going to quickly jump on the train early and head down to Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise to go and see Jim Morrison’s grave.

Peace out!

Day 32

Today I woke about the same time and was out by 11 a.m.  It started to rain today so I ended up having to buy my third umbrella of the trip because I was not going back to the hotel (my dad is probably shaking his head right now, not surprised at this).  LOL.  After, I decided that it was probably smart to get a bite to eat before hopping on the bus to see the Notre Dame and the Louvre.  I popped in to a local eatery and got a ham and mozzarella Panini.  It was good, but too much bread and I couldn’t finish all of it.  I hate wasting food, but I’m learning to just put it down when your tummy tells you so.  And today…I listened.  I waited for the bus only for about 10 mins and then we were on our way down to start my days journey at Notre Dame.

It was cold out today on top of the rain and I was more than chilly in my lounge pants and short sleeve shirt under my jacket.  Almost the whole time I was in London, the jacket was too much for me with all the walking I was doing.  Finally…I’m almost too cold.  Since today is a Saturday, the tourists are out and about and Notre Dame was a popular place despite the rain.  When it started to rain a little harder, I decided to enter the church for some shelter.  Wow!  Once again, an opulent place of worship did not disappoint.  It was absolutely beautiful inside and all of the stained glass really stood out. 

I took my time walking around the church, but opted not to climb higher up towards the top or wherever it is that you can climb to.  I figure that I did my climbing at St. Paul’s and still have the Belfrye in Bruges.  Once I was done, I made my way back towards the Louvre.  It was a short walk across and up the river before making it to the massive marvel known for King Louie XIV and historical works of art.  I entered through the rear courtyard and was amazed at how big that part of the palace was.  Exiting the rear area and into the main courtyard my breath was taken away.  Absolutely beautiful!  Granted the glass pyramids did take away from the beauty of the old structure, but added to it in its own way.  I myself would have preferred it not to be there but then again I’m a European history nerd.  Once again, I took my time walking through the main courtyard enjoying the magnificent views.  When I was done, I decided to walk around the neighborhood looking for shops where I could buy people gifts.  I didn’t find what I was looking for, so I started walking to find the bus stop that would take me back towards my hotel.

After a few blocks, I realized that The Opera was straight ahead and not very far from the hotel.  Besides…I needed to get another suitcase because I wouldn’t have enough room for all the stuff I’m bringing home with me and well, it’s not very comfortable traveling with a heavy duffle bag.  I’m such a wimp I know.  The Opera isn’t far from the Louvre and I remember Noah telling me I could probably find a cheep suitcase away from the Opera house.  So on a journey I went to find the cheapest luggage I could…and one that would hold up.  What do you know…he was right.  Just a block away from the Lafayette Galleries I found a nice sized suitcase for 33€.  It’s not bad and does the job perfectly.  I couldn’t have done better.  Now that I had found the luggage, I knew I wasn’t far from the hotel and started my final walk towards the hotel.  Finally after about 6 or 7 hours, I was back at the hotel and once again a wee tired from all the walking.  The knees were hurting and the foot was a little irritated.  Noah was even shocked when I told him how far I had walked…so needless to say I was rather proud of myself.  Now it’s time for a nap before heading out tonight.

Avoir!

Day 31

Today I woke as usual around 9ish or so and took my time getting up and out.  I think I was out of the hotel at 11 a.m. and made my way up to catch the number 30 bus to the Trocodero.  It was a nice bus ride taking about 20 or so minutes to get to the end of the line.  Once I got off, I walked over to the museums in the Trocodero square that looked directly on to the Eiffel Tower.  It was cloudy, but visibility was for miles.  I decided to do the Eiffel Tower as the last item before heading back to the hotel to chill out before my personal night tour of the city by my friend Noah.  After admiring the view, I walked down to the Musee’ d’Art Moderne to see the Basquiat exhibit.  Oh my, what a beautiful exhibit.  His art was very interesting.  He was very childish in some of his presentations, while his use of color in most pieces took my breath away.  He’s one of those scattered artists where you wonder what was going on in his mind for him to interpret his art the way he did.  Absolutely stunning and I’m so glad that I did this exhibit above any others.

Once I was done at the Musee’ d’Art Moderne, I made my way over to the Eiffel Tower.  Now see, a few weeks back I had promised my friend Dean that I would walk up the first and maybe second level before taking the lift to the top.  My friend Noah advised me that I might want to reconsider since it really was a long climb up.  He wasn’t kidding.  The moment that I got close to the Tower, I quickly reconsidered and had no regret about breaking a promise.  For those of you who have been to the Tower…you’ll understand.  It’s MASSIVE.  There was no way I was going to attempt the climb.  Especially not after I barely made the Stone Gallery  at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.  Eish!  The queues weren’t too bad to make your way up to the second level.  From there it was probably about a 30-45 min queue up to the top.  Today was such an amazing day and cleared to barely any clouds in the sky.  The views were amazing and did not disappoint…something I will never, ever forget.

Getting down to the ground took a little bit of time to do…the queues were long for that as well.  No worries, it was totally worth it.  Once on the ground, I made my way back towards where I began in the Trocodero but headed to a cemetery that I had spotted from atop the Tower.  I don’t know what it is, but my mother and I have a thing for churches and graveyards.  There is something so beautiful about old structures that just lures us in.  This graveyard did not disappoint and I got a good number of really cool pics to show my mother.

It was getting late and my knees and feet were telling me they were tired and needed a break, so I found my way back to the bus and headed back to the hotel.  I needed to rest before my friend took me out to see Paris at night.  OMG, is all I can say.  Paris at night is by far the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.  I mean all the grandiose structures lit up on a beautiful clear night with the moon shining above and almost full.  There are no words to describe it.  We got back to the hotel at about 11:30 p.m. and when Noah dropped me off, I headed to one of the local stores to get a bottle of wine.  I realized that I still hadn’t had any wine since arriving and that it was due time.  So I purchased a wonderful bottle of Bordeaux and enjoyed half of it.  Mmmmmm, so yummy.  I would drink all of it except I have another day of touristy stuff tomorrow that I can’t miss.

Bonne nuit!