Whoah Amsterdam....

A little retail therapy at an amazing leather store. Only available in Amsterdam.

Wow....what an enlightening past two days while in Amsterdam. So many things we could share and some things we saw we really shouldn't....😜



This town is gorgeous. I have been here before many years back with another best girlfriend and enjoyed equally as much! The buildings, homes canals...really a unique city with charm and history. And of course, a good chunk of what Americans know about amsterdam is the smoking and the Red Light District. Of course those are a unique part of this area, but not all! People here are sharp! Amazing how many are dressed so dapperly all while riding their bike, in a skirt, toddler and all.



The first night we spent exploring on foot. Now let me tell you...this is the most confusing town ever! Shannon has been wearing her Fitbit for our trip for us to see our steps and we took over 20,000 steps while getting lost for a couple hours. We saw a lot! Some more than we might have bargained for, but we definitely explored. Early on in our crazy wandering session Shannon said we should get a pedi cab. I thought it was "just around the corner" and it wasn't needed. It was needed and I will regret for a while..:so will my feet!



We did happen to crash a professional women's night at the local movie theater. SO out of my character and am and was, typically scared to death! But I had to potty and it was open and clean. Until we walked In and had our wandering faces on...freezing...Shannon looking like a robber with her black stocking cap and us seeing every sharp women in Amsterdam, we realized we had two choices. Abort mission of clean toilet or push upstream as fish out of water a score a free, nice toilet. At first we aborted because my fear kicked in but I soon thought about my other options and realized...do it!! We have never laughed so hard as us crashing this event.

One of the most adorable things I can share and I hope you read this knowing where I am...and there is phenomal people watching. We could be entertained for days if left to watch these interactions. While on our way home last night we encountered 5 young British guys that were probably around 21 ish. Picture Harry Potter types (the actual actors in the films), and one of them had just "successfully" enjoyed a lady in the red light district. This adorable chap came out in literally in black ankle pants with black and white striped socks....so about 5 inches of socks showing....excited and wanting to tell his dorm mates about his wild and crazy 10 minutes when another Harry Potter but the red head decides he wants to do it too. Right after. Same girl....we listen to the boys chuckle and boast as they explain to each other how the original guy paid €50 for ten minutes but he thought his friend could get for €40. So this young chap goes back to same window and starts his negotiations as the other 4 stand in alley, barely 4 feet away, eagerly listening to original guys ten minutes. They did get their stopwatch out to see how long this next guy would have.



Sure enough within about ten minutes he comes out beaming ear to ear and so excited. The best is hearing this..."man!!! That is the best quid I have ever spent for educational purposes, I learned so much!"   (I'm sure his parents paying for college thought so also..:😝). He and his four Harry's giggle and swap stories as one asked the other if he had success. He said no but he didn't care. It was awesome!!!   First guy was then asked if he was successful and all we heard was this coming from this nerdy, 21 year old college boy..."she asked me if I maybe needed to pay for more time but I told her I got this!!!"

Amazing house along the walk with very eclectic tastes!!

We had a wonderful time and enjoying exploring this city and our bags are bit more full after some retail therapy.

Currently on the drive to Dortmund, Germany to fly out to London. Not sure about what tonight has in store except probably a few of my favorites...Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus (you now get where our name comes from??) The war grave for amazing hamburgers my step-daughter found while studying abroad and maybe a show. Tomorrow is my favorite day because we get to hit portobello road market. My absolute favorite thing to enjoy while in London and maybe Europe! Planned entire trip around a Saturday in London.

Will try and take more pictures and upload more from my camera. Have tons on there but getting them to here is the hard part! So only have a few randoms....

Heading off across the pond!

Cheerio!

Jenny.