Amsterdam sunset postcard

5 reasons not to eat at FEBO

For those who dont know, FEBO is fast food served from a coin-op toaster oven. It is the equivalent of eating at an American 7-11. Here are 5 reasons to avoid it.
5- Guy at front who keeps repeating "esctacy-cocaine".
4- Prostitutes on lunch break
3- Mild hallucinations
2- FEBO shits.
1- € 5,00 for a bacteria ridden Hot-Pocket!?

Going forward and looking back

We have been having so much fun. It has been two weeks now, yet we feel like we just got here yesterday. The days seem to fly by, which Is only because we are having so much fun (and because the sun is only out for 7 hours a day).
I have learned alot about a new culture. Miranda and I have gotten some much needed time together. We have eaten things we don't understand. We survived the streets of Amsterdam on foot and on bicycle (Too bad about the bike though). We have learned to break into our own house when locked out (two times now). We have found favorite cafes and coffeeshops. I have developed an internal G.P.S. device for finding the nearest public urinals (sorry Miranda).
As the last two weeks flew by, I'm sure the next two will as well. On Monday, our good friends Jeff and Erin will be joining us in the Netherlands. Neither of them have been to this land before, and Miranda and I are looking forward to becoming official Amsterdam tour guides (O.A.Ts). Our good friend Jake was our O.A.T. last time, I could only hope to do half as good as he did. One thing Im looking forward to in particular, is having someone here to take pictures of us (I have been told this blog is lacking in that department). We are also psyched about our trips into Germany, Brussels, and elsewhere. Germany should be interesting, as I'm meeting up with distant relatives in Munich and near Düsseldorf. What if I encounter a bizarro German version of myself? I guess I will find out soon enough... Hey maybe Jeff and Erin can meet their bizarro European doppelgängers as well. Wish Jeff and Erin good luck.

Rotterdam

Took an hour or so train ride to Rotterdam today. Rotterdam is in stark contrast from amsterdam, the two cities feel nothing alike. The once great city was completely destroyed during WWII, so all the buildings are pretty new. Rotterdam is known for its amazing modern skyscrapers and futuristic buildings. It is also known for its big business, and for having the worlds second largest shipping port. We went and saw these famous "cube houses" that were really cool looking, but make me dizzy to look at. The whole city seemed to be under construction. They were building skyscrapers left and right as well as new roads. We could not find much to do here other than admiring the modern skyline and viewing the endless number of shops and shopping malls. But we did get some cool photos, and I get to add a new city to my list. Also we ate some stroopwaffles which are like flattened sandwiches with Carmel and waffles... Yum.

Rotterdam cube houses

Living and learning in Amsterdam

Lately we have become very familiar with the small city of Amsterdam. I am rarely getting lost anymore. Also gone is my fear of the traffic and bicycles. I am beginning to understand many Dutch words (and can at least say 2 or 3). The Dutch "laid back" attitude has started rubbing off on me, as we find ourselfs just hanging out alot. The locals are even warming up to us. The half naked neighbor lady keeps waving at us. The old man at the coffeeshop down the street now knows Miranda's favorite tea flavor. Also had a long chat with a local about the i-phone (and all the magical futuristic stuff the i-phone can do).... (like being used to make this blog). Seeing and meeting lots of Americans, lots of weird Americans... each one weirder then the last. Including some high strung college students from Arizona, and two guys that hate the local shops techno music.

5 Amsterdam souvenirs that should not exist

5- Assorted brightly colored clog slippers
4- Pot-leaf rain poncho (even worse when an entire family is wearing them).
3- Ceramic prostitute figurines
2- Red eyed Jesus smoking a joint post card
1- faux Delftware ceramic penis shaped salt & pepper shakers with pictures of windmills and pot-leafs (no joke, see the fore-ground of the photo!)

Postcard, nighttime

Day trip to Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is a small town about 15 minutes from Amsterdam by train. The town is the closest place to see real working windmills, and the beautiful Dutch countryside. The first thing you notice about Zaanse Schans is that the whole town smells like chocolate (which is strange, because I didn't see any chocolate while I was there). The windmills were pretty cool. We went inside a working sawmill, and got to see how it was built (via instructional DVD). Most of all the windmills were built in the 1700's (except for the one we went in, which was built last summer... lame). There was also a cheese farm, that had tons of cheese to sample and a view of the cheese making process. There was also lots of the usual shops with windmill replicas, and a wooden clog maker (I call it the "clogery"). Ok... The whole thing was a little "cheesy". The town is the pre-packaged Dutch experience that can be seen in under an hour. I found this to be a classic tourist trap, but enjoyed the scenery. I managed to escape without buying any clogs, cheese, delftware, or mini-windmills (I really wanted to paint my own clogs though).
Cheesy as it was, I will always remember Zaanse Schans (because the chocolate smell has permiated my clothes). For more info visit www.zaanseschans.nl

Public urination

nothing is more liberating. Only in Amsterdam (and while camping). And yes, that is me in there.
UPDATE... I have been informed that this is not unique to Amsterdam, and can be found in other European countries. Hehehe... European, your-a-pee-in.

Playground postcard

Miranda kicks ass

Note: This post was removed due to the content no longer being correct. I had to leave the beautiful photo up though.

Recovery time

After a marathon bike ride and a week of constant walking, we chose to take it easy the last two days. On top of my ass still hurting from the bike seat, I managed to pull an important leg muscle, making walking painful. Thankfully no major mishaps or injuries to report. There were some pretty close calls, including a delivery truck that whizzed by me leaving no more than 4" between us. Its amazing how many near misses there were. I saw a car hit a bicyclist and I saw a scooter hit a bicyclist (don't worry, they were ok). The cool thing is, I strapped the video camera to the bikes front rack, so now I have some really cool video footage.

Biking in Amsterdam

Last time we were here, it was scary trying to dodge trams, busses, cars, bikes, motorcycles, people and dog shit. This time by recommendation from our official Amsterdam tourguide Jake, we went biking. We went all over town, we were on small alley ways and busy roads, we even went through the park. After a long bike ride we realized we didn't get any good video. So, of course we did what was probably a ten mile ride, again. It was fun, though partly through it we sure started to ache. We desided to take it easy today, since we can't even walk around without hurting. How do the Dutch do it? They must have buns of steel. All and all, it was worth it, we had a great ride all around Amsterdam and we survived. We even got to experience a real Amsterdam bike theft. When we woke up this morning, our friend's bike was gone from the front yard. No worries, he says its all just part of Amsterdam.
Miranda Skar

Another day, another postcard

A day at the Artis Zoo

The only thing better than a day at the zoo, is if that zoo is located in Amsterdam. The Artis zoo is hands down amazing. Admission includes the zoo, aquarium, zoological museum planetarium, geological museum butterfly pavilion, and lots more. There are hundreds of exotic creatures to gawk at. Too bad all the info was in Dutch, we had a hard time figuring out what was what. At one point we came across a critter that looked like a cross between a giant cat, and some kind of rodent. The beast looked angry, its eyes sunken in, its ears were full of rips and holes, and it had a snaggletooth that said "I mean business". I don't know what kind of beast it was, but the warning sign on the cage got the point across (see above picture). The zoo was built over 100 years ago and as a result, some of the animals habitats are either too small or too close for comfort. Some of the animals seemed stressed and just continually paced back and forth. Some of the animals would stick their heads through the fence and try to bite us. While this was sad, it was still the best zoo experience I have had. Also I should note the aquarium was small but equally impressive. I could have spent all day in there...but looking at all the animals and fish made me want to eat. For more info go to www.Artis.nl

Red light postcard

Quick note

You no longer need an account to leave a reply to any of my posts. So anyone can reply... Even you! So no more excuses.

I thought a "Paris Hilton pancake" was something else

oh... Wait, that's what I thought it was. Nevermind

looking out our front door

5 things that will "get you" on the streets of Amsterdam

5- BICYCLES - They are everywhere, they are fast, they are silent, and they are looking for blood! Miranda got hit by a bike last time we were here. We currently have a bet going to see who gets hit next.
4- PICKPOCKETS - Every busy street corner has posted warning signs, "watch your belongings!". I have yet to have an encounter with one of these nasties... I think they even have their own union.
3- CARS - If you get hit by one... Its your fault! In fact... If the victim is American, they don't even have to stop!
2- DRUNK OLD FORIGN GUY - Who knows what he is saying. His face looks like a Picasso. He smells of Grolsch beer and pickled herring. I think these guys are unionized too.
1- DOG SHIT - It has already got me once... Yes Amsterdam is the bicycle Capitol of the world, but did you know it is also the dog shit capitol too? I love watching strange people from forign lands step in dog shit. They yell out "shit!" or "shizer!" or "Grolsch!" or what ever "shit" is in their native language. One could see these encounters as minor international incidents of sorts... You know, a Canadian steps in German shepard shit, or Scottsman steps in Irish setter shit. There might be a war looming if an Iranian steps in American Bull Dog shit.

A postcard at every turn.

my phone!

My phone seems to be working again, Mirandas is still down though. Call for emergency only.
UPDATE: Mirandas is working off and on. Mine is also being inconsistent, so don't rely on it. You probably have a better chance of reaching us through this blog than by phone.

On the TV

This is taken from a previous email.

Hello! We are nice and settled now getting into the groove of things.Yesterday we were interviewed by a local news team while walking through the red light district. It was an awkward exchange that ended with me telling a graphic story about what I had witnessed inside a sex show last time we came to Amsterdam. The news lady kept asking for details explaining "you can say anything on Dutch TV..." so I said "I saw a chick smoke a cigar through her..." It must have been a slow news day.Have not met too many people except for one girl from Minnesota,however she had no accent and her story didn't quite add up. She would stop mid sentence and would get this vacant look on her face as she stared at the wall. I think she had one too many.Feel free to post replies or comments.... TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO KEEP READING!!!
Also if anyone can find this video, please email me the link!

first report from the road

This post taken from previous email.

Miranda and I have just began to get settled here in Amsterdam. The plane ride was ok until landing, when the boeing 777 began to shake like a granny on red bull. The actual landing had me wide-eyed and white-knuckled (I felt like an astronaut on re-entry) I think the flight attendant thought i was going to passout, she gave miranda the "is he alright?" look... I gave her the "if I die... I blame you!" look.The house we are borrowing is amazing and in the center of down town.We are still trying to get oriented, which may take a day or so longer. We have already had some fun adventures... Including a very confusing trip to the supermarket where nothing is in English, and nothing looks quite right ("It has to be milk... What else could it be?". We also made a trip to the local video rental store where we rented "Deuce Bigelow 2: european gigalo" which might be the worst movie ever made, but is on my "highly recommended" list. Other then that, we have been crusing around, checking out coffeeshops and discovering random things. We somehow managed to get locked out of the house... Which was all kinds of fun. Lucky I had just watched a McGuyver re-run and managed to pick the lock usuing a plant stake and a robe sash through the mail slot. The neighbors either think we are really dumb for getting locked out, or really smart for getting back inside within 10 minutes flat.The weather has been nice with a little rain, but mostly clear skies.It has not been too cold either, making our bellingham seem extreme by comparison. I will have loads of pic's in the near future. E-mail us if you have any questions. Be sure to post replies and comments.

first pic

Amsterdam!

I will be posting all my thoughts on Amsterdam, and Europe here... So feel free to waste your time by reading it.