There is something about backtracking that usually bothers Chels and I but of all the cities we’ve been to going back to Amsterdam didn’t seem so bad ; ) especially since with my brother Chris and his friend Joe were coming for a visit.It took a few hours, but once we found Chris at the train station, we dropped our bags off at the hostel and met up with two of our new favorite people, Hyung and his lovely wife Sash for some lunch.
Brothers!
Brewery!
We hoofed it to the brewery Brouweij’t IJ, a favorite watering hole for locals. Located next to an old windmill, the brewpub opens in the late afternoon and closes early evening thanks to a high demand for its specialty brews. The inside was lined with beer bottles and behind the bar was a glass window allowing a view of where all the magic goes down. Chris taught us the ins and outs of blackjack as we enjoyed some of the best beer I’ve ever had!
Another reason we chose to visit the brewery on this particular day was for the free tour.. which we took full advantage of, but mine was cut short on account of me already “breaking the seal” . At some point we realized how strong the beers were (between 7 – 11%) and headed back to the hostel, devouring snacks along the way.
Tight alleyway….
A brief nap and a rally cry got us moving towards the infamous red light district. There are no warning signs when you enter the area, nobody waving a flag telling you there are half naked hookers swimming in windows up ahead. So, literally all of a sudden you make a turn down a side street and Bam! It’s funny and sad at the same time. I suppose most of the women choose to be there; they even have a union called the De Rode Draad in Dutch or “The Red Thread”. Although there ARE some girls who do it for drugs or against their will. Nevertheless, the reason it is not illegal, is actually for deterrence purposes. By permitting prostitution (among other things) they hope to avoid forcing it underground or to the black market where violence and abuse is rampant. Probably better to have it as an isolated, contained issue than a non regulated and destructive problem.
hmmm…had a few!
Call girls are the main attraction to the Red Light District, but sex is sold on other levels in and around those few glowing city blocks. “Live sex shows” (yes, it is exactly what it sounds like) and various sex shops ranging from classy to down and dirty are there for those of us who just enjoy the novelty of the area. And of course there are coffee & smart shops every 10 feet. The ratio of men to women, naturally, is heavy on the men side which makes it a bit awkward as you’re squeezing through these narrow alleyways. Without saying much more, the Red Light District is.. truly a unique experience.
Red Light
Joe came the next morning and we decided it would be fun to rent some bikes for the day! Cruising around Amsterdam on a bicycle is the best way to see the city. Since Chels and I had done this before and loved it, we thought it would be cool for Chris and Joe. It is also a great way to participate in the culture. After touring the streets for a bit we hit up Vondlepark for some snacks, a nap and a photoshoot.
Riding through Vondel park
Relaxation station!
Since we had bikes now we thought about what the next move should be… Brewery!! We went back to the Brouweij’t IJ. But we really DID have a good reason to go back! I was SURE i left my beloved scarf there that Kelly got me for Christmas! I was sending off good vibes the whole ride there, and it WAS!!! The sun was shining and the place was packed, good vibes all around. The brewery makes 6 different beers and being such big fans (not to mention the great prices) we tried every single one; then rode home, taking back roads of course. I left my umbrella there…hahah…boo.
Chels and I were to catch our final busabout ride from Amsterdam to Berlin the next morning, so we had an early night after one last stroll through the Red Light District. Up at 6:45, and at the Flying Pig Hostel (drop off/pick up point) in plenty of time for a good seat on the bus.
As we stood in the middle of this tiny cobble stone street in front of the hostel, we had a funny feeling we might not be in the right place. Well, turned out that the Busabout uses the OTHER Flying Pig Hostel for pickup. After 3 failed attempts to catch a taxi, we gave up and found the nearest internet point, booked a Eurolines bus for that night then went back to take advantage of the free breakfast at Chris and Joe’s hostel.
We rode around in the rain all day, mixing sight seeing with lots of coffee! The last place we stopped was a bar playing some NFL games, and we watched the Patriots pummel the Bengals (WooHoo!) We left Chris and Joe there, reminding them of the 6:50, morning train they had to catch and we rode off.