Amsterdam

Amsterdam: Its like vegas, but with more open air drug use, cheaper hookers, and the ever present danger of being ran down by half-stoned and half-drunk crazed Bikers. It's also a place, where the intoxicating aroma of weed, cheap perfume, and shame commingle into one distinct sense of fun and enjoyment. What's not to love?

The town itself is like if you mixed the neighborhoods of Chicago, with the canals in Venice, and put the entire population of Denver into an area half the size (not including tourists). That is Amsterdam for you.

Though, there is also so much more to Amsterdam than Drugs, Sex, and Techno (pretty damn crappy techno too) -- Though that is also a big part of Amsterdam. The Van Gogh Museum was a beautiful collection of some of Van Gogh's works (though his more famous ones reside outside of Amsterdam, and, he didn't actually do his work in Amsterdam).

There are beautiful parks to people watch. Mainly watching fashionistas ride their bikes. I didn't grab a photo of it, but on my arrival I was sitting in a park for some relaxation, when a very stylish black man (since he isn't african-american!) wearing a well tailored grey suit, with a fedora, riding a bright pink single speed bicycle.

Speaking of bikes, there are plenty of them here.

And I mean, plenty.

I wanted to go to the Anne Frank house today, but the line was nearly as long as Anne Frank's entire hidden and secretive stay in that dreary closet (too soon? I think not!).

I have clearly entered a more westernized part of Europe. Perhaps it is all the tourists, but there is somewhat of a sense of elitism here. Kind of like a Vail or an Aspen sense of elitism. This is not imbued throughout the Dutch culture, but rather I get a sense of this elitism from the fellow tourists (of which there are more than enough).

Though some of it feels a bit too surreal, a bit too fake, and not like the actual world. After traveling through eastern Europe, where there are numerous homeless -- and they let you know about it -- it is all too peaceful. Everyone is aloof, knowing that they are all too good for the young tourists. It is a much less friendly atmosphere (unless you are proudly wearing Gucci, or at the very least Dolce & Gabbana) than that of eastern Europe.

Its cheap in all the wrong ways: Hookers, drugs, and alcohol. While being all too expensive in the wrong ways: Food, Lodging, and Museums. Though, I would deeply regret it if I hadn't come here in the first place. I will probably also deeply regret not coming back (should that ever happen!). Its, I guess like Vegas, its probably damn fun every time you go, but not a place you are looking to go often.

I'll edit this post with more pictures when the internet allows.