We kicked off our trip in Amsterdam. I had been there when I was 22, and wanted Paul to experience it. Additionally, I wanted to visit the sights I was too poor to visit when I was there before. In hindsight, this may not have been the best decision, as our budget was so tight, we really didn’t get to do what we wanted. Plus, if you’re traveling to Amsterdam for the “fun” aspect of it, you shouldn’t do it at the start of your trip when you’re jet lagged.
Don’t get me wrong, we had a great time: we caught up with old friends in The Hague; we visited a cheese museum where we ate free cheese samples for lunch; we discovered the glorious food called bitterballen (think mashed potatoes, shredded turkey and gravy, crumbed and deep fried, like thanksgiving dinner in a bite).
In fact, sitting by a canal, drinking beer and eating bitterballen, may just be the most peaceful way to waste an afternoon.
It’s just that Amsterdam is a lot more fun when you’re younger, or have more money to blow.