Adventure Is Out There!: Amsterdam: Part I

Duuude! I'm so sorry I haven't had any time or internet to blog over the past week. It's been a whirlwind. Let's start with Amsterdam (and my finger...oops!):

We had a typical Dutch meal:

We've got carrots, pickled cabbage, potatoes, bacon, pork, beef with sauce, mashed potatoes with carrot and salad. So yummy!

Then we went to Central Station (train station) to get cash (other ATM's weren't taking our U.S. cards) and book tickets for a canal cruise. Can you spot Aaron (you will have to zoom in)?

Here he is!

Here's Central Station:

Then we walked along the canals and shopped a bit:

People think of Amsterdam and they think of weed and prostitutes, but the city itself is actually quite beautiful and the people are friendly and it's a pretty peaceful place. Although they do have more than their share of weed stuff:

They've got cookies, lollipops, tea, energy drinks, tons of types of rolling papers, you name it, they have it! Van Gogh didn't stand a chance!

More city:

Flower market:

Cheese shop...AMAZING!

I tried every single sample and then bought nothing. Woo! Cheap American: party of 1!

Then we visited the Torture Museum, kinda hokey, but Aaron really liked it:

What a way to go!

For a quick bite, Aaron got fries with mayo, ketchup and onions (gross):

and I got this weird thing:

Equally gross.

Then we went to see the Rembrandt statue (not to mention there are a lot of restaurants and bars in that square):

We hung out in a pub for awhile and Aaron ordered a 5-Dutch-beer-flight. We put a red square around the ones he tried (I had the oatmeal stout...WOW):

Most were pretty decent and the bartender was awesome, suggesting which we should order. I got a cheese platter because samples just weren't enough for me:

After our bellies were full, we walked to The Red Light District. The Red Light District, for those in the dark, is where prostitution is on full display. Women stand in glass windows wearing underwear and dance and pose for passersby, hoping to find their next "client." They all have pimps standing somewhere in the distance watching for foul play. For this reason, it is basically not cool to take any pictures in The Red Light District. The last thing anyone wants is a pimp thinking you're taking pictures of his hoe (for lack of a better term) and smashing your face (and your camera) for it. We were told by many not to take any pictures. I snapped one and made Aaron very nervous:

You can't even see anything, but there are red lights all along the streets. There are also bars, restaurants and shops all along the street, it is a tourist attraction, after all.

Then back to reality! They're big on waffles here, so I snapped some pics in a waffle joint: