Damn Amsterdam

Ever since we started our open travel we have had bad weather.  Rained the whole time in Paris, Brugges, and now it's been raining here in Amsterdam.  It's cold too.  The girls who only brought 'flip-flops' with them have had to resort to buying shoes to prevent frostbite. 

The weather hasn't helped, but we were not very impressed with Amsterdam.  A few things contributed, I must admit.  Our hotel is way out of town, about 20 minutes on the bus. (On the plus side, I have my own room and the girls are in a 4 bed room - whoopee!!!!).  Wandering around town everything looked a bit sleazy and it wasn't until we met up with a couple of guys from our class that we found out we were in the red light district.  They took us on a tour of the area to see the sex shops and the windows where the girls sit (it was too early in the day for business).  Had dinner of chicken, chips and salad at a restaurant then took a tram to look at the 'I amsterdam' sign which I think is a famous slogan that is used here.

The 2 Stephanies were considering going out drinking with the guys tonight, but as the guys were going back to their hostel for a power nap before hitting the town later on, the girls decided (sensibly, I thought) to give it a miss and come home with us.  (the guys were staying in a hostel right in the middle of the red light district and the girls that were part of their group pulled the pin early and headed back to Maastricht).

I've been wanting to get back to Maastricht early tomorrow as I have lots to do and I'm not interested in doing any more sightseeing in Amsterdam (I've been here before and done the canal cruise).  Sally wants to come back early too - she's out of her comfort zone in this place.

Ben, one of the guys mentioned above told us that while they were sleeping in the large dorm at their hostel last night one of the guys (not part of the group) fell out of his top bunk onto the floor then promptly spewed all over the place.  Apparently he was quite drunk.   I've certainly had my eyes opened by some of the events that have taken place with the kids in the course.