KZ's Amsterdam Blog

I'm very sad - my time in Amsterdam will be over shortly and I wish that it wasn't. I know, I know ; "if wishes were horses, beggars would ride" but that doesn't prevent this sadness from being here. It's been an amazing journey for me. I've met so many people and seen a lot of things and this place is just so wonderful. Honestly if there were a place anything like this on the North American continent I'd be there in a second. I'm sorry about not posting much the last few days I plan to do retroactive catch-up posts when I get home - home; doesn't even sound real to me right now. I realize that the tone of this post is rather maudlin but I just can't help myself, I'm not ready to go back to my "real" life yet and am having trouble adjusting to the fact that I really don't have a choice. I do know that this trip has been the best thing that I've ever done in my life - I truly believe that and I know that there will be more of these journeys and maybe some changes in the rest of my life as well. It blows my mind that something like this could have such a profound effect on my life; weird. I'll see and talk to all of you soon and I promise, there will be more posts about the rest of my trip and the people I've met as well as pictures. Tot ziens to everyone in Amsterdam and all the amazing people that I've met.

Apparently the Flying Pig hostel chain has a location just outside of Amsterdam on the beach! It costs approx. the same as Bob's and well, it's on the beach! Some people I've met are planning on staying there for a day or two and I just might spend my last full night there just for fun. They do a free shuttle out to the hostel from the downtown location and a free shuttle back in. It sounds like much fun so the next time you hear from me I could very well be on the beach...

Yesterday I went to the Anne Frank House. It is eerie to stand in a space where 8 people hid for all of those years and to walk streets where they were taken away to such horrible places. I will say though that it did not affect me in the same way that my visit to the U.S. Holocaust Museum in D.C. 10 years ago did. At Anne Frank House you are not being shown horrific images and piles of shoes and so on. It is sad and it is powerfully moving but the horror is lessened as you are just experiencing her words and their lives in hiding; not in the camps. I am very glad that I went and I think that it's important to go to places like that - there are lots of things that we as a race shouldn't forget and this is one of them.

So for a few brief shining moments this afternoon, the sun came out and it was so very nice. But after lulling everyone into a false sense of good weather, the rains returned...Today has been a rest day more or less. I know what you're thinking; isn't that all she does? I realize that it must sound as though I just loll about Bob's playing cards & chess, talking and other recreational activities but it's not true! Sometimes I loll about other places but you do have to walk to get there. ;-) Going to the Anne Frank house tomorrow and a couple other museums - even if it rains! Honest. I know that i'm not made of spun sugar and therefore will not melt if I go out in the rain. There is talk of going on a canal cruise on Saturday as part of Shanta's birthday celebration. Looking forward to seeing the city that way - a different perspective is always a good thing.

I know that I have said that I will post pictures and I do intend to; it's just that I haven't actually set foot in an internet cafe yet. All of my e-mailing etc. has been on the computers at Bob's but I can't do any uploading here so hopefully I will get to it before I leave, if not I'll do it when I get back...my apologies to all of you who are anxiously waiting.

I think that the most difficult thing about staying in a hostel is saying good-bye. In a place like this you make friends very fast but inevitabley they leave. In some cases you spend a day or two with someone and then they're gone. It's very weird. Of course you meet new people but sometimes the ones that have gone really stick with you. Good thing about the digital age is that pretty much everyone has an e-mail and now I have places to stay all over the globe. I have met so many people - some were not worth the time but that's the way of the world right? For the most part I have met some amazing people; all walks of life, ages and nationalities. Hello to those that have already moved on to other travels or back to school: Christine, Alex, Amy, Will, Mike, James, David, Ethan, Steve, Alexandra & Stephane, Jimmy & Gemma, Azier and Aloit. Great people with a joy for living and a desire to see what's over the next hill...

I have finally been to the Van Gogh Museum and it was quite wonderful. I had decided that this gloomy, cold, rainy windy day could do with some colour and where else but the Van Gogh Museum?
I was mistaken about "Starry Night". It is not at the Van Gogh Museum - it is at the Louvre. And because I couldn't find any cheap beds in Paris for the days that I was going to go I am not going this trip - I will go next time! And there is definitely going to be a next time. Anyway, I did get to see "Sunflowers" which was one of many versions that Van Gogh painted for Paul Gaugain's bedroom when they were trying to start an artists' colony. I was also lucky enough to see a lot of Monet & Manet. I have to admit that it was a lot to take in but for once I was clever and I took my journal in w/ me and made note of the paintings that I was really moved by. The list is longer than I thought it would be. My afternoon at the museum was capped by getting to see some of Gaugain's Tahitian paintings as well - and after comparing the two artists close up I still prefer Gaugain. Something about the combination of the intense colour in his paintings and the location and subject matter; I'm always mesmerized by his work.

Canals, rain, canals, rain - repeat. It's been raining all day which makes for a little less fun as it gets extra windy being on the water. However, when it's not damp & cold it is a lot of fun walking through this city. It really is made for people on bikes - so many bikes! A ringing bike bell is a very common sound - but they tolerate walkers...I think that if you come from a fairly large urban centre than Amsterdam is very odd as it's very short. Very few buildings are above ten stories or even six for that matter. This difference makes for a much nicer walking experience in my opinion. The buildings are tiny and mostly gabled and have a tendency to lean out over the street. But the architecture is very eye-catching and some of the grander buildings (the palace, Centraal Station) are quite beautiful. Lots of older style churches and so on....I have also decided that all streets/sidewalks should be made out of cobblestones or other stonework because it is much better than concrete. And in that strange effect that only rain can give, the city somehow still looks beautiful. Of course I would still be a lot happier if it wasn't so windy...

Let me tell you the story of a young man from Vancouver named Mark. He has been travelling through Europe for the past 5 months, not intending to go back until November. However, as his journey continued he encountered certain financial difficulties; once even going so far as to take part in a 16 day medical trial for a TB vaccine in England. For this he was paid the tidy sum of 1800 pounds. That sounds like a lot of money you must be thinking (esp. those from North America) and you would be right in thinking that, but we all know how quickly you can burn through money when set loose on a faraway continent with no one to stop you. At this point in our story young Mark finds himself trapped in Amsterdam; he just can't seem to leave. Each day dawns and Mark thinks that today will be the day each evening brings a new vow "to get my act together" and yet each morning at breakfast, he stumbles into the common area and pays for another night's accomodations. For a brief moment there is hope on the horizon in the form of an airline ticket from his mother to get to Prague. After many fruitless attempts at making contact he finally gets through only to have his hopes dashed as she cannot get him the ticket.

Last night (a few hours ago?) my brothers went to the Beastie Boys concert in Vancouver. I made sure that I listened to "To The 5 Boroughs" at Bob's (my home away from home) during the day yesterday so that I could join in on the fun. They had both better either e-mail me or leave comments in the blog telling me how awesome it was.

I have just realized that I did not change the time zone for my blog. All of the posting times are wrong - although the ones from last night look to be about right so I'm not sure. I have now changed it to Amsterdam time and I can assure everyone that I was not up at 7:30 am and on the computer. I'm sure none of you thought that I actually was as my penchant for sleeping in is known far & wide. However the latest I have gotten out of bed so far is 9:30 am. It's true! Usually I'm up at 9 - honest! My very clever cell phone crows like a rooster as my alarm - it's incredible irritating and ensures that I get up.

"Oh yes, I've got those laundry blues. I've washed my good shirt w/ my black shoes..." Maybe I won't pursue my secret dream of writing song lyrics after all. I am trying to do my laundry and am either going to have to wait or I'm going to have to pay someone 8 euros to do it for me. The best, closest & cheapest (5e for wash & 1e to dry) laundry is full up at the moment and there are already people waiting for machines...aargh! So tempted to pay the v. expensive price - just so that I can get it out of the way and get on w/ the rest of my day. However I'm also trying to be very careful w/ my money so...ah, the eternal struggle of convenience vs. thrift. I'll post later which choice I made. Almost feels like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" story doesn't it? Although I'm not allowing others to make the choice...that would take too long as you're all still asleep right now, so I will take this difficult task on myself.

While I am still coming up empty-handed on my quest for euchre players (and yes Munch, everything does revolve around euchre) I have instead started playing gin rummy w/ a political science student from the States. After having been trounced in the final game I am now regretting that decision. However apparently I'm going to learn canasta...does anyone know how to play? Just curious. Have to give a shout out to Leanne for calling today - first phone call from a non family member, very cool. I have also started playing chess again. There are several boards here and there always seems to be a game going. I'm still not very good but it's still fun!

There have been some complaints about the "spiciness" level of my blog entries. I would like to state that we here at KZ's Amsterdam Blog pride ourselves on only posting content that is suitable for all members of the family. Don't people understand the my parents and my impressionable younger brothers read this blog? I am strictly here for the culture people! ;-)

For some reason Sundays are just meant for wandering. I have no real plans for today, just to wander and see what I find - Van Gogh museum is being saved for tomorrow. It's so beautiful here, the people are really nice and so far have had super weather. Have met so many people from all over; but oddly only a couple of Canadians. I keep hoping for Ontarians so that I can find some people to play euchre with. Both of the Canadians were from the west coast and had no idea what I was talking about. Strangely enough a guy from Colorado knew how to play - his roommate in college was from Michigan - but sadly he left today. Oh well, lots of time left - or I could just teach people how to play I suppose.

I'm so glad to see that both my mom & my dad are sure that it's 13 kilos...such faith in their only daughter! So I've been trying to find the little slip I have that stated the weight and of course I haven't been able to find it. I am going to continue the search and if I can't find it than I'll just try to pack it the exact same way when I leave and see what I get. Who knew that the weight of someone's luggage could stir such a debate?

Remember how I swore that I was packing light? Just wanted to let everyone know that my large backpack only weighed in at 13 lbs when I checked in at the airport - Doubting Thomases...

I'm here!!!!! Yesterday was a bit crazy w/ all the last minute running around and still not being able to find a decent jacket - my thanks to my fairy godmother Jen for all her help and for the jacket! Long, long plane flight....2 movies (Shrek 2 & The Stepford Wives) some "food" and the coolest thing; when there wasn't a movie playing they had graphics showing the distance we had travelled, our altitude, speed, outdoor temp (-63 Celsius at one point!) and a map showing where we were in the world. Very cool. So got through customs like I was a native - was not asked one single question, not one - felt very weird being from North America and being used to be questioned like mad trying to come back into your own country. Today has been spent wandering about and trying to orient myself. My hostel is excellent - the staff are really nice, it's easy to find, close to everything but not too close to the Red Light District. I am one of 5 females staying in a mixed dorm w/ 16 beds...needless to say we are all already great friends. Somebody pinch me because I'm still in shock - who knew that I could just up and fly off to a foreign country? No pics yet - didn't want to be too touristy today - but will probably post some over the weekend. Thinking of everyone and how all of you have to come here as soon as possible (Dad & Sue: be envious/jealous, you'd love it). Well off to wander a bit more and then an early bed tonight - free breakfast between 8-11, I don't want to miss that! ;-)

So this weekend is being spent practice packing and going over all last minute details...everyone has been giving me so much advice. I'm doing my very best to take it all in...I"m packing light - I am! really!! I know that there are some of you who don't believe me but I am capable of packing light....anyway, packing light, I have a place to stay my first few nights, I have a vague itenerary (Van Gogh Museum tops the list), and most important - I have a ride to the airport (thanks Jen!). My emotions as my departure day gets closer (4 days!) are a toss-up between nervousness & excitement. I'm nervous because I've never done anything like this before and excited for the same reason. I don't think that I'm going to believe that I'm actually going until I'm on the plane on Wednesday - otherwise it still doesn't feel quite real.

According to my friend Edward (and now I'm really not showing it to anyone but customs officials) my passport photo makes me look like a serial killer! People are already self-conscious enough but now I don't want to ever show my passport. Of course I got a new driver's license and it has an awesome picture of me...it's the whole non-expression thing I think. Apparently I was trying so hard not to show any expression that I instead look evil. Who knew that my features immediately compose themselves into a mask of evil? Seriously though, don't ask to see it cause I'm not showing it to anyone! But you can look at my driver's license all you want....

My passport is here! Of course it's a terrible picture as showing emotion on passport photos is frowned upon these days. The odd thing about my passport pic is the eerie resemblence to my father. Seriously, I looked like him when I was a baby and apparently nothing has changed. I am not in possession of a scanner at the moment so actual viewing of my passport will be limited to customs officers and a few close friends. Oh and I guess my dad is allowed in order to note the above mentioned resemblence.