Have fun, will travel, reach the heart of Durgerdam

getting involved, originally uploaded by Genoceros.

We roam the stone roads of old Amsterdam NL, navigating, dodging hundreds of hurried bikes, dinging trams and cars that don't seam to belong. We tour around the canals and walk the streets, popping in and out of little shops, assigning ourselves simple tasks - an hour spent looking for the ultimate frites shop (frites are chips. The best you'll ever taste, doused in mayo - they drown them in that shit). Just happy not having any responsibilities. The girls and Coup have their heads buried in the Amsterdam map as it almost falls to pieces from so much re-opening. I hang a few paces back and stare up at the beautiful old town houses that are so squished together some look as though they will pop right out. Occasionally I cop a strong whiff of a so called 'Coffee Shop' and feel like I'm at the Big Day Out or my Dads 40th birthday party.
We hire bright red bikes and wear matching blue rain ponchos, standing out in the crowds as the obvious tourists we are. The Dutch yell "What are you doing?!" and "Mac Bike - Gay!" as I nearly crash into them on the bike path. I like that they assume I speak English as a first language. Don't ride on the left. A tip.
20 minutes by bike out of Amsterdam, we arrive at a quaint little village called Durgerdam, 1 row of old pointy cottage houses, facing a talked up dirt mound dyke and a row of old fishing boats. We ride around, looking at everything with such awe and amazement, stepping out of the cold and into a dark local pub. Befriending the locals, they buy us shots (apparently this is unheard of) and Coup steals their cake.
The Red Light District is crazy and weird. Window Shopping? But this is nothing new. We get offered "Cocaine? Ecstasy? Speed?!" 3 times in 5 meters... we politely decline. In the evenings we retire to amazing home cooked meals at our temporary home with Deerah, GertJan and Riya, and I fall asleep at the table.
We've had some sunny days, some rainy days and some fucking freezing days.
Everything is crazy. Most of our conversations start with "It's cool how..." "It's crazy how..." "It's awesome how..." "It's amazing how..." "It's weird how...". It’s all of those things. And we've been here less than a week.

"A crazy evening in a Coffee Shop" post - coming soon.

Steph is 21 today (except here its still dark)

Steph is 21 today
Originally uploaded by melody.jane.

happy birthday my darling steph! i think that youre one of the most wonderful people i know and i wish i was there to help you celebrate reaching your 21st in such style! ill have a beer for you, although i doubt ill be able to find a little creatures bright - german beer will have to suffice. wuv you wots and wots xox