To start off my semester abroad, I embarked on my first trip to Amsterdam with my current Barcelona roommates. Upon our arrival in Amsterdam, we headed to the Marriott Hotel, where we checked into our comfortable room and got dressed for our day full of activity. Our first stop was at the Pancake Bakery, which was located adjacent to the Anne Frank House. Here, we indulged in a delicious lunch, specializing in every sweet and savory pancake you could possibly think of. Personally, I went for the Banana Nutella Pancake, and I can’t say I regret this decision. Following our lunch, we visited the Anne Frank House. It was highly beneficial to purchase and print our tickets in advance in order to avoid the long line that circled around the monument. This was truly an amazing experience, as we we witnessed first hand where Anne Frank resided during the Holocaust. It was very touching to stand in the exact room where Anne hid for a significant period of time. Next stop for the day, we visited the Bulldog Coffee Shop which is considered to be a hot tourist spot. Here, I was truly shocked by how different the culture was. Evidently, in Amsterdam, marijuana is considered to be legal. This greatly differs from the United States, where possession of marijuana can result in major legal consequences. Last but not least for day one, we treated ourselves to the notorious French fries, which are known as Vlaams Friteshuis. Here, they serve you a cone full of French fries, complimented by any sauce including peanut sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup and more. After a long day of traveling, my roommates and I were eager to hop into our large comfortable beds and get a goodnight sleep for our next day.
Anne Frank House
You can’t leave Amsterdam without trying the French fries!
On our second day, we walked approximately five minutes from the hotel to find the I Amsterdam sign. Here, we took various pictures posing in front of our initials and being as touristy as possible. We also headed to the infamous Red Light District, which will forever be etched in my mind. It was so interesting to see yet again how different the culture is in comparison to the United States. In Amsterdam, prostitution is considered to be legal, whereas in the United States this behavior is frowned upon. We decided to see Moulin Rouge after receiving peer recommendations, as it is said to be one of the less graphic sex shows. However, this show was pretty explicit and definitely a once in a lifetime experience. My trip to Amsterdam was an overall success, and a great first trip. Just for some insider advice, be extremely cautious when crossing the streets because bikes, trains, etc. come out from all directions and they most certainly have the right of way in Amsterdam.
Know Who to ASK 