Heights of Holland

Next stop… the Netherlands! Mid-day arrival in Amsterdam and check in at the first of our hostel adventures. Bunk beds, reasonable locker size, clean washrooms, girls only floor, cozy kitchen and lounge, cheap towel rentals, and Christian focused so less likely to be noisy and rowdy! A quick settling in and we were off to explore the capital city of Amsterdam.

Shelter Jordan Hostel

Throughout the day we wandered around the canals, through the red light district, by the Bloemenmarket (flower market), and in and around the city squares and streets, ending the day with an authentic Indonesian dinner. A truly international city, yet one that continues to inspire and adopt a bohemian yet traditional lifestyle. Despite the mass numbers of tourists and non natives living amongst and within the city and red light district, the Dutch cycle throughout the city in business suits, skirts and heels, on rusty dilapidated colourful bicycles with baskets and bells, and an ardent fierceness commanding greater awareness and recognition than the vehicles on the road. Rows upon rows of bikes line the streets and canals; many are propped along buildings, and most creak and rattle in ancient harmony as the new modern aluminum framed ride is not favoured here.

Indonesian dessert with toasted coconut!

An early night, so we thought, ended with us settling into the hostel just after 10pm, however, we were surprised to see that the rest of the bunks were occupied with sleeping travellers, and for once we were the night owls!  A climb up to my top bunk and an unexpected night of good sleep completed another fun yet exhausting day.

The next morning was spent browsing along an outdoor market and stopping to smell the tulips and flowers along the Bloemenmarket, with a treat of fries and mayo thrown in! A short train ride into Amersfoort and we were enjoying Dutch beer in a quaint historical town with other Canadian travellers! A stroll through town and an appreciation of the quieter small town existence and we were off to experience the Dutch culture and lifestyle in all its hospitality and warmth! The remainder of the day was spent with good friends of Anna’s learning about their hopes, realized dreams and traditions. A true cultural experience encompassed in humanity and understanding.

Bloemenmarket

Amersfoort

Amersfoort

Amersfoort

The following final day was relaxed and rainy, touring the Anne Frank house, and then meeting up with another friend of Anna’s for coffee and lunch before embarking on the next of our capital tours to London!

Anne Frank House - a moving & inspiring tour



Brussles Sprouts...

After sharing an airport baguette sandwich of tuna and embarking on an hour long metro ride to Bagnolet along the outskirts of Paris, we hung out at my brother’s and later indulged in sushi and actual in person, face to face reminiscence.

The following morning with the rising sun, we embarked on the first of many travels to Brussels Belgium, our first (well officially second – but let’s save Paris for later on in the journey) European capital adventure!

Anna & I outside of Brussels Midi Station

An early morning arrival at 7:30 in Brussels and we were off to explore the city! Armed with a map from the hotel we toured around the city stopping in parks, squares, markets, churches and sunny patios, stopping to sample fruit, indulge in real Belgian chocolate, and snap pictures of the historical buildings and ridiculous monuments…

Large city square market

Flea market at Place du jeu de balle

Square Mont des Arts

Notre-Dame Church

Square Mont des Arts

Brussels Park

A full day of walking, including sampling local food from the market square, stopping for a mediocre, yet famed dinner of moules-frites, and debating the cultural significance of the Manneken Pis  and our short time in a city inspired by the French and Dutch was nearing its end…

Moules et frites

Me eating mussels!! And I actually like them!

Anna on our way to see the famed Manneken Pis

Belgian chocolate!!!

Yummy!! Belgian chocolate... where did it all go?

Manneken Pis!

A restful night a la hotel, before our upcoming hostel hang outs, and a fresh and warm homemade loaf of Belgian bread rounded out our short stay before boarding a train ride to Holland!

European Capital Tour

2011 has been a year of much contemplation and confusion. Filled with risk taking, self exploration, and journeying outside of comfort zone norms and habitual manners. And what better way to ring in the half year mark with amazing friends and worldly exploration. Six months ago I was nearing the 3 month mark of living in France, and predicting a much different summer than this unexpected yet intensely appreciated summer of friendships, travel, and adventure.

The past month has been filled with overused and frayed city maps; lifestyles stuffed, refolded and rearranged in transitory bags; and an unconditionality encompassed with laughter, frustration, misunderstandings, fatigue and fellowship.

While words cannot capture nor express the intense emotions, perceptions and experiences of our voyage, I will try to describe and convey the trek of the travels between Anna and myself through pictures, memories and summaries of our European capital tour…

Our expedition began on July 9 where I met Anna at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. Despite my late departing and arriving train to CDG, and my hopes of welcoming her as she walked through the terminal gates, I was instead greeted by Anna who was relaxed and rested and ready to haul a backpack of yet unwritten experiences across new uncharted territory and terrain.

While 9 months may seem a short blip of time, when your last memory is of a smiling friend with barely there brown hair celebrating faith inducing and inspired clarity of health, to one who is one year wiser with a mass of twists and curls as if metaphorically demonstrating a transformative journey… words cannot express the heartfelt amazement and appreciation of life’s little gifts!