Stroopwafel Ice Cream and Bad Bunnies

Today was a quiet day beginning with a sleep-in (finally, no alarm clock!) and ending with a quiet dinner for two. 

We met up with MM in the early afternoon to exchange some music and photos (the things we can do through the ‘miracle’ of technology are really cool) and then she was kind enough to take me on a quick tour through the Red Light District (oh, come on...I HAD to tick that box).

Street where the Red Light District began -well, the other side of it, really.  Note the multitude of architectural styles all mashed into one church.

And it is on sale, too!

No photos of the doorways though...the girls aren’t a freak show or spectacle -they’re working, trying to make a living.  You all can use your imaginations.  We were joined on our walk by M and with stroopwafle ice cream in hand (OMG, YUM!), we stopped by to see R one more time.

Don't even dream of getting an appointment any time before the month of July.

A few things I have learned about Amsterdam:

1) Bicycles have the right of way unless there is a striped pedestrian crosswalk painted on the road.  DO NOT mess with this or you’ll be on the receiving end of a bell, possibly a few expletives and potentially a few new tire tread marks across your feet.  Make no mistake, you will be in the wrong.  MM swears that there is no beast quite as ruthless as a Dutch woman on a bike who has just been cut off by a pedestrian -tourist or local alike.

2)The weather changes on a dime in the Spring. In order to be prepared for this, it is necessary to carry gloves, an umbrella and sunglasses at all times.

3)If the red light above the doorway is off, the person behind the curtain is busy...and sometimes...”they even a lady”! (*tip of the hat to MB)

4)You can buy a full meal out of a vending machine and get your french fries in a cone.

5)Fast food stands include herring-on-a-bun.  No kidding.

6)Driving a car in the city is simply not a practical or wise option.  If you can imagine, the least of your worries is finding a parking spot!

7)Everyone speaks English and owns a bicycle.

8)You can either buy alcohol or marijuana products in a “coffee shop” but not both at the same time.  One or the other...choose your coffee shop wisely -check the window for the green and white sign to tell you which one it is.

9)Heineken beer is very, very tasty here.

10)Buyer beware...staircases are extremely steep and the steps very narrow (use the railings, they are not just for decoration) and there are sometimes no railings along the canals.  I’m pretty sure you don’t want to go swimming in the water.  I’m also sure that quite a few people have gone into the drink inadvertently (after sampling a touch too much of the offerings of this fair city).

It has been great to be able to enjoy this dynamic city with a ‘local’ as a tour guide.  This weekend excursion couldn’t possibly have been as wonderful without MM’s brilliant advice and awesome company.