Day Seven - Amsterdam

Time to drive to Amsterdam and it was a gorgeous day for a drive. We pass windmills as we drive through the countryside and I wonder if I am on a movie set. We arrive and find street parking. Again, we do the parking meter dance of confusion. Check in to our hotel, Hotel Not Hotel. Truly the most unique place we have ever stayed. Rooms are hidden in bookcases along the loft, inside converted streetcars or as in the case of our room constructed as a small square on the side of a wall but draped with a printed tarp to look like a house exterior. It was the smallest hotel room I've ever seen, but hey, it's quirky! We have lunch at a really cute cafe recommended by our hotel (I get the BLT) then take the tram into the city center and grab a boat tour.

Amsterdam is not known for huge, ornate cathedrals or government buildings but instead they boast elegant and unique homes that line the waterways. The first thing you notice is the bikes. It can't be overstated enough. Everyone. Everyone rides a bike. 6 year old coming home from school - on a bike. 80 year old lady grocery shopping - on a bike. Stylish graphic designer with a Morrissey haircut moving his entire apartment - on a bike. It was so visually striking to see people on bikes at every turn and every moment taking care of every aspect of life, on their bike.

After our boat tour we stroll down the main streets and somehow wander right in front of a very interesting looking cafe/pub called Cafe Belgique. We open the door and it's standing room only with just a handful of seats currently occupied. Luckily a couple leaves the bar and we gladly saddle up.

The bar is so small and intimate you feel as if you have been invited over to someone's house. We start what will be a long line of drink orders with the jovial South American bartender. She is friendly and funny and you know if she wanted to she could put you in your place in a second. Two women sit down at the booth next to us and I notice they have Scottish accents. I strike up conversation and we end up conversing for a big chunk of the night. They both own small businesses and are enjoying a girls weekend in Amsterdam. They were amazed that we would willing drive the distance we have planned, I explained that we were from Texas and driving long distances is part of the deal.

An older man sits next to Jacob at the bar and we strike up another conversation. He has was born and raised in the Netherlands and was extremely friendly and happy. When we explained we had just come from Brussels he expressed his sympathy and proceeded to share his displeasure with their "snootiness" :) As our time at the bar is coming to a close, the bartender begins to pour us a round of tequila shots. She was apparently off work hours ago. We take our surprisingly delicious shots, have one last beer then say goodbye.

Now if there is one place to get great drunk food, it's Amsterdam. That drunk food is fries. There is a fry stand with a long line of wobbly patrons all waiting to satisfy their hunger. We order the curry fries, they are shoveled into a paper cone and drizzled with thick brown curry paste and they are magnificent. We don't even start walking we just stand there frozen in delight as we scarf down the treat. We finally reach the hotel with full bellies and cloudy, happy heads. Nighty night.