Journal 42 Wednesday: Today was my last morning in Germany. I woke up around 8 or so and took a shower and got ready for the day. I went out and ate breakfast and talked to Ulrike as I had done the last couple days before. I then got online to check and see if I had heard anything from Chris yet; we were supposed to be meeting up on the trains that day. I hadn't heard anything yet but I figured that he got my email and I packed up to leave as planned. Ulrike's parents came by and dropped off some chocolate and cookies for me as a going-away gift. I told them it was very nice to meet them and I hoped to see them again some day; Ulrike translated. After I was packed Ulrike and I walked to her little sisters house so I could see their old place. Her sister had been practicing her English the day before so she would be able to talk to me a little bit. Her house was recently remodeled, like Ulrikes, so it was really nice as well. On the way back to the house we stopped by the bus top to pick up Josi. We all went back the house so I could gather my things. I said goodbye to Roger, he told me I'm always welcome there anytime I want to come back, and then we piled in the car to get Max. Ulrike walked me around the school briefly before class got out so I could get an idea of the place. Max came out of class, found us, and we were off to the train station. Everyone stood and waited with me for the train to arrive, and after it did I said my goodbyes and boarded. Ulrike and the kids walked along the windows until they found me and stood there and waved as the train pulled away; it was pretty depressing. I was on an ICE Train, the InterCity Express high-speed trains. They had a little digital speedometer above the door, we were doing 239 kmph... I'm going to have to look up how fast that is in miles. I got off about two stops later to make my connection. I walked over to board to figure out which track I needed to be at. My train would be arriving at Track 18, the same one I just got off at. So I turned around, took two steps, and waiting 30minutes. I met Chris on the train, at the first stop as planned. We caught up on what the other had done the last couple days as we sat for the three hour ride. Upon arriving in Amsterdam we got off the Train and then tried to figure out where to go. We had to take Tram 1, 2, or 5 and get off at Leidseplain or something like that. The difficult part was walking around trying to figure out where to get one of those trams. The first place we walked wasn't right, so we went across the street to the tourist-information building. They were closed, of course they were closed, it was 4:45pm that's a GREAT time to close. We then walked back across the street to look at the little board and figure out where to get our tram. We went left as it appeared on the map, but after walking a block the tracks were now gone and we were at bus stops. After walking back to the map, checking again, we walked to the right. There was a whole group of German kids about our age waiting there. The same group that got off the train we did. As the tram pulled up everyone piled on. Chris got on in front of me to ask how much it cost. The driver said to pay in the back, but as the tram filled up we only made it halfway to the back. So it was a free tram ride for us. We got off at Leidseplain, and then walked toward the Marriott like the directions said. The German group was still behind us. After another three blocks or we got to the hostel and checked in. Yep, the Germans were staying with us; we were right when we joked about them staying at our hostel on the tram. The rooms here were actually pretty nice; so far all the places that we stayed in were pretty nice. We met a guy from Nebraska that was just starting his two-month trip in Europe. Chris changed and I...was fine in the clothes I was in; and then we headed out. We looked at the map to see where the red-light district was and the rest of the nightlife, decided to walk rather then take a tram, and started walking. We passed over all the canals that Justin had talked about. I took a few photos but kind of restricted myself. I fewer times you take out your camera, the fewer homeless people come up to you to beg. One guy came up when Chris and I were talking. He said "Hey", and asked if we spoke English. I just kind of looked at him, since he just cut into our English conversation, and said "Yeah, a little". "No Drugs man, No Drugs. I'm from America too man. I'm from Philly. I was wondering if I could get some change so I had a place to stay tonight." he said. He held out his hand to show the change he collected so far. He had about three Euros in change. I'm sorry, but I don't believe him when he's saying he wants money for a place to stay the night. Chris said "Sorry man, I only have my cards, only plastic." "Ah, come out, help me out. I'm American. Spare me some change." was his reply. "Sorry, we don't carry cash. We only use our credit cards" I said, and walked away. Chris caught up and we kept walking. We passed through a shopping area and stopped into H&M so I could see if there was anything I wanted to buy while we were still somewhere fairly cheap. There wasn't so we kept walking. We passed by a couple really busy areas where people were all out walking around and shopping. We hoped we were going in the right direction. On one street we passed a McDonald's that was right next to a sex shop. I wanted to take pictures but just told myself that you don't take pictures in Amsterdam; it saves you a lot of trouble that way. We also passed "The backdoor" club, and a lot of others with pretty funny names. There was one of two English-speaking tour groups we passed, slowed down by, and tried to listen. We also thought if anything we'll join the Japanese group in we get in trouble. "Safety in numbers." Chris said. "Yeah, and they all probably know Kung-Fu" I replied. We laughed about it as we kept walking down that particularly darker street in what we thought was the right direction. We walked pretty damn far and still weren't exactly sure if were headed in the right direction. The Chris pointed down a street and said "There's some red lights, let's see what's there". So we walked over to check it out. We were offered Coke by the first three people we passed, hahaha. Turns out that this was the Red-Light district. It wasn't at crazy as him and I thought it would be. Then we realized at this point it was only around 7 so it was still pretty early. We walked through China Town which is right next to the Red-Light and decided we'd get some food. Suddenly we were back at the train station and realized that it wasn't actually that far a walk; and it was probably much shorter if you knew where you were going too. We went into a shirt shop to see how much an Amsterdam shirt was going to cost us. The owner asked "Are you looking for something.... special." "No, we're just checking out the shirts" I told him. I'm sure that Chris and I are some of the few people who go to Amsterdam at night just to look around and not to get stoned. We left and then went to Chinatown for dinner. Chris ate at an all-you-eat buffet and I just sat there and talked. We then went wandering around a while trying to kill time to see if maybe things get better later. We walked through the area one more time. Maybe I'm kind of strange, but I felt bad for the women that were sitting in the windows. I know it's the World's oldest profession, but still. We saw the huge penis-fountain they have outside the live-sex-show place. I would have taken a picture, but didn't want trouble. We also passed a seed-shop that had three pot-plants outside. Would have taken a picture; but again, didn't want trouble. One of the funniest things though was when we were walking down the street; we passed a window that a really hot chick, with a very fake chest, was standing behind. I saw her, Chris didn't. But what Chris notice was the guy that had just came walking up to him stopped so fast when saw this girl that his shoes squeaked on the pavement. That caused Chris to turn around and ask me what just happened. I was laughing pretty hard, but I managed to get it out. We then decided that we may as well start walking back home, we were going to catch a 7am train out anyway. We got back to the hostel but there were already two people asleep in our dorm room. So we went downstairs to chill for a bit. Chris read a magazine type thing that was on the table. It talked about the Red-Light district, China Town, etc. It was another of those "this would have been interesting to know before we went walking around" type things. I noticed on the back that it said there was a Hard Rock Cafe nearby, and since I usually buy a glass from there I wanted to get one since I doubted I would be back in Amsterdam anytime soon. It turned out it was just across the street and inside a little courtyard area. So Chris and I walked over, I bought my glass (for 11Euros, what a rip off), and then went back home. We crashed around 11:30 since we were going to be getting up at 5:50 for the train. |