So I left off with the Flying Pig Hostel in Amsterdam. This Hostel has the reputation as one of the best Hostels in Amsterdam and when we arrived I quickly learned why: there is a bar in lobby. When we arrived the party was in full swing: the disco ball was spinning the music was pumping and everyone had face paint on. I was really intimidated at first. It was really loud and it took us forever to get checked in so it was a bit much at the time. We split up into pairs and went to drop our stuff in our rooms. My room was on the 2nd floor which i picked because I thought it would be quieter because it was farther away from the noise. When i open the door the room is filthy. There are cloths scattered everywhere and it is very dark . Then I notice that there are only two sets of bunk beds and only one unoccupied bunk. To my horror i realized this meant I share a bed. To top it off the luggage lockers were mad out of plywood and did not look very secure. On the upside we did have a bathroom/shower in the room.
We all met back up and went out into the night. We found a carnival some people went on some rides and then we explored the red light district a little stopped for refreshment at a coffee shop and then I headed back to the hostel to get some sleep. The next day was a slow start but we eventually went on a walking tour that was really cool. It was totally free (just tipped the guide at the end) and lasted about 3 hours. We walked all over Amsterdam and heard great information. The tour ended at a Dutch restaurant so we could eat. I had Flemish stew: which turned out to be a salty meet stew. It was good. After then I wen to the Rijksmuseum with a couple of friends. It is one of the two best museums in the Amsterdam (the other one being the famous Van Gogh Museum). The Rijks had a collection of Dutch art and an extensive Rembrandt collection. It was nice to see some art. One of the highlights was a giant pencil on canvass ship drawing. After that i went on a red light district tour. It provided more information in the Red Light District.
The next day we went to see the Anne Frank House. It was busy and we had to wait in line awhile to see it but is worth it. It was enlightening to she the actual house where Anne and her family hid. The house designed as a walk though experience. You are led from room to room by quotes from Anne's Diary on the walls and short video clips on monitors. All of the rooms have remained unfurnished because after the family was captured their furniture was all confiscated. It was Otto Frank's (Anne's Father and the only member of the Frank family who survived the war) wish that house remained unfurnished. It was a moving experience but also hard to stay in the moment when you are being pushed and shoved by small children and other tourists. I am glad I went. At the end of the exhibit is Anne's Actual diary. After the Museum we hopped on the train to Brussels.
The most important thing I learned about Dutch culture was that their culture is governed by tolerance. Many things that tolerated there that are not tolerated else where. Two being prostitution and marijuana. It important that prostitution is legal marijuana is not it is just tolerated. In order to be tolerated things must meet 3 criteria: 1. Must be discreet 2. Good for Business and 3. Harmless. As explained on our tour pot fits this definition of tolerance. Pot is not allowed to be advertised on menus, euphemisms must be used. It is good for business because there is great demand. Pot is considered a soft drug and many people who smoke pot do not commit violent crime as opposed other drugs and is therefore considered in Holland to be harmless.
All in all I am glad I went to Amsterdam. I am not in love with city I like it during the day but at night it is just too much for me. Also I want to note that while at first I was surprised by our hostel in the end it grew on me and I would recommend it to others (depending on what type of experience you want) That's all for Amsterdam! I'll post about Brussels soon.
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