Has very good pancakes for breakfast, and then went grocery shopping at Albert Heijn. I saw the "potato parts" which are very popular, which you eat with mayonnaise and curry sauce (I also bought some of that to take home with me to the US).
I went to the harbor to see all of the old ships and boats. It was very beautiful--I really do love the ocean, and have probably taken it so granted all my life. I wrote some more postcards. Had dinner of steak with sugar snap peas. Dessert was this yummy and super thick yogurt called "kwark"--I really enjoyed it a lot.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Monday, October 27, 2003
Amsterdam 2003: Day 5
Today is my birthday! Woke up too early--about 6am, took a shower, and have been lying in bed for three hours now. The plan is to go to Chinatown for some food and then I will have my afternoon birthday bubblebath. Also wrote some postcards this morning.
Holly and I went to lunch at Hong Kong Corner, which is right next to the hotel--had a little dim sum and fried rice, quite yummy. Then, she left to go to the airport. Lars had his job interview and stopped by a tiny bit before, which was right in Dam Square at Fortis Bank. I took a bubblebath while he was at his interview, and then we went to Hoorn by train. We went to dinner at this "Tex Mex" restaurant, which twas the best meal I had there, probably--had red snapper (but never cooked so nicely) with rice in a tomato based sauce. For dessert, I had some profiteroles filled with ice cream and a chocolate sauce--was so nice, perfect birthday dinner!
Holly and I went to lunch at Hong Kong Corner, which is right next to the hotel--had a little dim sum and fried rice, quite yummy. Then, she left to go to the airport. Lars had his job interview and stopped by a tiny bit before, which was right in Dam Square at Fortis Bank. I took a bubblebath while he was at his interview, and then we went to Hoorn by train. We went to dinner at this "Tex Mex" restaurant, which twas the best meal I had there, probably--had red snapper (but never cooked so nicely) with rice in a tomato based sauce. For dessert, I had some profiteroles filled with ice cream and a chocolate sauce--was so nice, perfect birthday dinner!
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Amsterdam 2003: Day 4
Woke up too early again (at 11am).
Went down to the Winter Garden for Sunday brunch -- expensive, 33 euro. It was really worth it, though... champagne breakfast with lots of amazing food in a really posh and fabulous winter garden (part of the hotel). Then we went shopping in a large department store -- really overwhelming, all those people and everything, but some really cute stuff. Also went to the Magna Center, more shopping. It was just a lot of people and not much to buy.
Checked out the red light district, where they have girls in windows. Reminds me of the places where you can get food from behind little glass windows... just put in a coin, and open the small door, and take the food. Well, the red light district reminds me of that. It isn't offensive at all, you get used to it after a few minutes, really. It's like a Macy's window--bit of live art. Sometimes bored art. This one prostitute had a little dog in the window to keep her company )well, at least I hope that was the reason the dog was there). This one bouncer shouted at Holly and I to see a show, he was even going to give us a discount, but, we passed. I think it would be rather boring.
Went back to the hotel to do a world of leisurely Chanel beauty stuff, mud mask, exfoliating, cleansing, radiance lotion, lotion, and eye lotion. It was fun... skin is off, just a relaxing beauty night for us.
Took a canal boat tour at night, which was just great and relaxing, but might have to go duringthe day in order to take more and better pictures. Took a little pass through the red light district at night, and was kind of the same as the day, but more guys gawking. It was pretty interesting to look at the guys gawking, look at what they are looking at, and I obviously don't see what they see. I just see a bored scantily clad woman sitting there.
Then, went looking for something to eat, but honestly, was still too full from brunch. So, we went back to the hotel and just relaxed. That brunch wasn't so expensive after all if that's all we had to eat all day!
Went down to the Winter Garden for Sunday brunch -- expensive, 33 euro. It was really worth it, though... champagne breakfast with lots of amazing food in a really posh and fabulous winter garden (part of the hotel). Then we went shopping in a large department store -- really overwhelming, all those people and everything, but some really cute stuff. Also went to the Magna Center, more shopping. It was just a lot of people and not much to buy.
Checked out the red light district, where they have girls in windows. Reminds me of the places where you can get food from behind little glass windows... just put in a coin, and open the small door, and take the food. Well, the red light district reminds me of that. It isn't offensive at all, you get used to it after a few minutes, really. It's like a Macy's window--bit of live art. Sometimes bored art. This one prostitute had a little dog in the window to keep her company )well, at least I hope that was the reason the dog was there). This one bouncer shouted at Holly and I to see a show, he was even going to give us a discount, but, we passed. I think it would be rather boring.
Went back to the hotel to do a world of leisurely Chanel beauty stuff, mud mask, exfoliating, cleansing, radiance lotion, lotion, and eye lotion. It was fun... skin is off, just a relaxing beauty night for us.
Took a canal boat tour at night, which was just great and relaxing, but might have to go duringthe day in order to take more and better pictures. Took a little pass through the red light district at night, and was kind of the same as the day, but more guys gawking. It was pretty interesting to look at the guys gawking, look at what they are looking at, and I obviously don't see what they see. I just see a bored scantily clad woman sitting there.
Then, went looking for something to eat, but honestly, was still too full from brunch. So, we went back to the hotel and just relaxed. That brunch wasn't so expensive after all if that's all we had to eat all day!
Saturday, October 25, 2003
Amsterdam 2003: Day 3
Woke up around 11am.
Walked to the Rijksmuseum, at at a pub, which was quite wonderful--called Marybelle. Had spicy meatballs and a "healthy" sandwich with cheese, ham, tomato, cucumber, pickels, toasted pinenuts--very excellent.
Walked to Vondelpark... visited the Rijksmuseum.
Ate dinner at Wagamama, a "Japanese" noodle soup place - quite good and rather cheap... Duck gyoza and spicy beef ramen, which was moreso one huge steak in the bowl. It was good but not as good as Vietnamese noodle soup, but I loved it because it was a NON-SMOKING restaurant!
Came back to the hotel and watched tv. Procrastinated about not getting dressed to go clubbing...
It was raining like mad and we took a cab from the hotel to Leidspeplein, where the Milkeweg was -- nice club (old warehouse -- Paradiso was an old church). Raincoat worked fabulously, stayed dry and warm, but too bad my friends didn't. :( Took a taxi back to the hotel around 3:30am (time change! really, 2:30am) and just talked until 5 am about stuffff.
Walked to the Rijksmuseum, at at a pub, which was quite wonderful--called Marybelle. Had spicy meatballs and a "healthy" sandwich with cheese, ham, tomato, cucumber, pickels, toasted pinenuts--very excellent.
Walked to Vondelpark... visited the Rijksmuseum.
Ate dinner at Wagamama, a "Japanese" noodle soup place - quite good and rather cheap... Duck gyoza and spicy beef ramen, which was moreso one huge steak in the bowl. It was good but not as good as Vietnamese noodle soup, but I loved it because it was a NON-SMOKING restaurant!
Came back to the hotel and watched tv. Procrastinated about not getting dressed to go clubbing...
It was raining like mad and we took a cab from the hotel to Leidspeplein, where the Milkeweg was -- nice club (old warehouse -- Paradiso was an old church). Raincoat worked fabulously, stayed dry and warm, but too bad my friends didn't. :( Took a taxi back to the hotel around 3:30am (time change! really, 2:30am) and just talked until 5 am about stuffff.
Friday, October 24, 2003
Amsterdam 2003: Day 2
Went around the town. Ate at a cafe with glass windows (had a tosti -- cheese and tomato toasted sandwich). Holly arrived around 1pm, and I tried to sleep (unsuccessfully).
Went to dinner at Luden (shrimp croquette appetizer, duck with lentils and sage sauce, apples with orange sauce, tarragon, and pink peppercorns -- kind of weird).
Went to pubs... probably shouldn't have gone clubbing, but I did at Club Paradiso, and left after Beyonce's Crazy in Love -- I love that song!
Went to dinner at Luden (shrimp croquette appetizer, duck with lentils and sage sauce, apples with orange sauce, tarragon, and pink peppercorns -- kind of weird).
Went to pubs... probably shouldn't have gone clubbing, but I did at Club Paradiso, and left after Beyonce's Crazy in Love -- I love that song!
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Amsterdam 2003: Day 1, Traveling
On the plane for quite a while now. Boarded arounf 6pm, but didn't get off the ground until 7:15om. Isn't that just like an airline? Got notified by the pretty voice over the intercom that we would be getting a hot meal and then a breakfast snack. Hehe, that's the most I've gotten on a plane in a long time. Takes some international flying, eh? Pilot was saying something on the intercom, but I couldn't hear or understand him.
How am I feeling now? Less scared, more excited. I had a lot of trepidtation wtih traveling internationally by myself, but it has passed now that I am on the plane. And guess what, everyone? I am a light packer! You should see how much other people bring as carry-ons and how they squish it in to overhead compartments. All I had was a small messenger bag and a little purse. I wonder what the hot meal is. I hope I don't throw up. I didn't throw up yesterday, so that's a good sign. I try not to cough to much, coughing + Asian = people think you have SARS. Honestly, I don't want to scare anyone, and I don't want to be quarantined. :)
Hmm, I looked up, and I think the lady next to me was reading what I was writing. Good thing it is dark and my handwriting isn't all that neat or big. Good thing I got antibacterial handwipes. I disinfected my hands, and just in case, I disinfected the tray table in front of me. Waiting for dinner, and then, I go to sleep. Goodnight.
How am I feeling now? Less scared, more excited. I had a lot of trepidtation wtih traveling internationally by myself, but it has passed now that I am on the plane. And guess what, everyone? I am a light packer! You should see how much other people bring as carry-ons and how they squish it in to overhead compartments. All I had was a small messenger bag and a little purse. I wonder what the hot meal is. I hope I don't throw up. I didn't throw up yesterday, so that's a good sign. I try not to cough to much, coughing + Asian = people think you have SARS. Honestly, I don't want to scare anyone, and I don't want to be quarantined. :)
Hmm, I looked up, and I think the lady next to me was reading what I was writing. Good thing it is dark and my handwriting isn't all that neat or big. Good thing I got antibacterial handwipes. I disinfected my hands, and just in case, I disinfected the tray table in front of me. Waiting for dinner, and then, I go to sleep. Goodnight.
I LEAVE FOR AMSTERDAM TODAY!!!!
Thu Oct 23 10:48:18 EDT 2003
I LEAVE FOR AMSTERDAM TODAY!!!! Thank you to all the people who have been supportive and encouraging about my trip. Feel free to send me a text message, either online or via email (617<mynumber>@mobile.att.net) if you know my mobile number, if not, just email me!
I LEAVE FOR AMSTERDAM TODAY!!!! Thank you to all the people who have been supportive and encouraging about my trip. Feel free to send me a text message, either online or via email (617<mynumber>@mobile.att.net) if you know my mobile number, if not, just email me!
So excited... all packed, very ready, but also nervous about traveling alone. But, everything is all set with hotel and airline... once I get to the hotel and check in, I think I will be much better.
Yay! Birthday on Monday!!! :)
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