Day 59 - Canals and Arches

We hit Amsterdam...and I hit it hard.  Such an amazing place.  I've never felt an affinity for a place like I did there.  I know what you're thinking "It's just because you were stoned", or something like that.  Well, that may be, but it was still amazing.  It's a bike culture there, they love their broken down, ancient bikes, and they're EVERYWHERE.  You have a much greater chance of being hit by a bike rather than a car.  I saw a woman on a bike with a seat in front of her.  She had a baby strapped to her chest, a toddler in the seat in front and she was cruising down the street at mach 2 eating an apple and talking on the phone...these people are obviously multi-taskers.  People on scooters are almost as prevalent.  They fly even faster, driving like mad people, all the while looking as bored as can be with the scenery around them, it's beyond cool.

The people are all gorgeous and seem to coast through life with a relaxed attitude about everything, not unlike what Kierstie and I are trying to do, except they live it every day.  The Coffee Shops are numerous and they all have varied menus to keep even the most discernible 420 aficionado very happy. 

We went to the red light district, as well.  I have to say, I was impressed.  In my (admittedly very little) experience, prostitutes are not the most comely of women.  Of course, there was a miasma of nasty women on display, but there were also quite a few incredibly hot ones as well.  I wasn't expecting that.  Yet another consequence of the global economic downturn?  I'll let you decide.

It's impossible to explain.  Tiny streets and winding lanes, all intersected with canals.  The canals are everywhere, full of boats both living and dead.  Some are palatial in their stature but there are derelicts tied up all along the canals, owned by people who are loathe to lose their precious mooring.  

As I write this, I'm 100 meters from the Rome Termini.  I can hear the trams and people on the street walking by and laughing.  This city is vibrant and steeped in history.  If you've never been to Europe, there's no way to describe it fully.  I'm awed with what I've seen this week.  I will be posting more about Rome on the next entry so don't worry.  

Lesson for the day.  There is no substitute for experience.  You can read every book on a subject but if you can't actually experience the subject, it's all academic.  To prove my point, just think about what you were like before you had sex for the first time.  You practiced on your own, of course, but in the end it's a whole different world compared to the real deal.  The obvious takeaway from that is this...don't limit yourself.  If you have the opportunity to experience something new and interesting, do it.  You only live once...unless you're a feline.

Not enough wine and too much beer tonight, time for bed.  (King size, thanks Hotel Una)

Ian