Amster-dayumm I wanna live here

Wednesday, October 22. 8:42PM.

Do you know how easy it is to get lost in Amsterdam? I, using Google Maps (lacking internet, of course) tried to find my hostel for a good two hours. I took the correct metro, got off at the right stop, turned left when I was meant to, asked three different people how to get to my hostel, but I was lost. It wasn't until an older man who approached me, assumably Dutch, told me that the hostel was halfway down the road in "this direction". Then I finally found it.

But don't get me wrong! Wandering around Amsterdam wasn't all that bad. I already had a feel of the craziness and beauty of the place.

I was allowed to go to my room as soon as I checked in, as no one was there the previous night so it did not need to be cleaned. I went to my room, made my bunk, organized some clothes, found a good place to catch dinner, and off I went. 

This place is amazing at night. All of the canals reflect the lights from the buildings, and it is absolutely beautiful. 

 

 

After dinner I headed back to the hostel and hung around in the lounge, where I met a guy who was heading to the small store for water and juice. I decided to join him as I was thirsty and bored. He was a lovely Argentinian man, a recent college graduate who didn't party, (but came to Amsterdam?) and was very polite. We talked about how nice Amsterdam was thus far for the both of us. Back at the hostel we said goodnight and parted ways. 

The next morning, around 9AM, I headed to the free breakfast, where I sat with a group of American girls who were studying abroad in Spain and were traveling Europe for the week. We discussed where we all were from and then I met a girl who was traveling alone, from California. She was also going on the walking tour, so I decided to see if we could go together, and we decided to meet in the lobby at 10:30. During breakfast we also met some Australian guys (of course). They were also going on the tour, so we decided to all meet in the lobby beforehand. 

In the lobby I met with Elizabeth, the girl from California, and a group of confused where-is-our-tour-guide folk. So we headed to the town center, or Dam Square, where the tour was meant to start. 

Elizabeth and I walked with the Australian guys we met, Gonzalo and Liam, who became our walking buddies during the tour. 

The tour was wonderful! But long. Our guide was a beautiful Dutch man, aka blond hair, blue eyes, and tall. He showed us, and told us, the ins and outs of Amsterdam. From the red light district, to marijuana, to the churches and canals and the famous Anne Frank house. 

After the tour, I spent the rest of my day with Elizabeth, Liam, and Gonzalo. I really enjoyed my time with them the next few days. 

That night we went to a pub crawl, which was absolutely crazy, but so much fun. I met even more Australian people, kept running into a pair of Dutch guys we met at the second pub, ate way-too-many fries, and even ended up dancing on stage with some Australian girls. 

The next morning I found Liam in the lobby, and we went to buy Gonzalo a birthday breakfast, aka a typical Dutch crepe with a cup of coffee.

After that we explored. We went to Blue, this café situated 200-ish feet taller than all the other buildings in Amsterdam, giving you a spectacular view. 

 

Then we went to Vondelpark for a few hours and ran into some other people we met at the pub crawl the night before that were also staying at our hostel. Two Germans and another Australian (they're everywhere). 

 

Later on that evening after grabbing dinner, we decided to go to some pubs, which, to my happy surprise, played some early 2000's R&B (aka my fave). We all danced and the night felt easy and fun.  

Some Dutch boys shouted "Britney Spears" at me (is this a sign?) and we ended our night by walking through the red light district and eating French fries. 

The next morning, Elizabeth and I said our goodbyes to our Aussie friends ( :( ) and went on to separately explore (it's cool to do that sometimes!). I went to the Rijksmuseum, a gigantic museum by any standards, saw the "IAmsterdam" sign, and ate some more yummy Muesli. 

I ran into Elizabeth and her Swiss half-brother, who had arrived late the night before. Amsterdam is really small. We got some lunch at a pancake house (thank you, Liz :)) and went our separate ways again. 

I went to the Anne Frank house tour, which was incredible. After that I treated myself to a night time canal tour cruise, which was incredibly lovely. I love this place.

Back at my hostel, I met two girls while organizing my luggage. One was from China and the other was from South Korea. We laughed and talked all night (I love meeting people while traveling!!). Finally I finished packing my luggage, and we all headed to bed. 

6:50AM came way too early. I checked out of the hostel after brushing my teeth and then headed to the free breakfast. I sat with the Korean girl that I met the night before, where she told me how the previous day she met "some movie star".... Aka Ansel Elgort. AKA Agustus Waters, Divergent, Carrie, Men Women and Children, AKA my future husband. She met him in the park! The park that I went to the day before!! 

I was jealous, to say the least, as I follow him on Instagram and was trying to find where he might be in Amsterdam, with no luck. 

Also at breakfast there was an Australian guy (lol again) and he had beautiful hair. I'm talking luscious dirty blond curls. I told him how beautiful his hair was... He called me beautiful in return. So that was cool. 

I said my goodbyes (again) and then headed to take my bus to Germany. This time I didn't get lost, but I did catch an amazing sunrise. 

And off I went. 

An Unforgettable English Weekend

Tuesday, October 21 10:43AM.

(To continue my previous blog and answer why taking a night bus to another continent is not as peaceful as I previously assumed...) It was more like this... I have cramps. Why does this bus smell so bad?! There is pee all over this bathroom! Am I really going to have to go all Chinese style in here? Oh, no toilet paper either? I really wish this person next to me would turn their music down a little so I don't have to overhear their favorite screamo artist. Oh,  is it really 2:30AM? That means it's time to go through customs to enter the UK! Do I have an occupation, officer?.... Well, I'm a high school graduate traveling the world with money I saved up? Oh, we're getting off the bus to sit on a ferry for two hours? Oh, my card isn't working so I can't buy water?

Sometimes traveling is really bittersweet. But finally, after what seemed like one of the longest nights of my life, I arrived in London where I was so so SO excited to meet up with my coworker from my summer job in Hawaii! She's from Scotland, and decided to meet up with me in London for the weekend! (Hi Jenny)

It being 7AM, and the two of us completely sleep deprived from our bus rides, we went to Starbucks for a few hours and then wandered to our hostel, dropped off our bags, and went to Camden Market.
Camden was adorable! (As are Jenny and I). From quaint shops, to artsy stores, to food from all over the world, this place was fantastic.

Wanting to find a piece of Hawaii together, Jenny found a shop that makes Açai bowls (these granola bowls from heaven that were Jenny and my weekly outings in Hawaii). The shop wasn't half bad, either! They also sold gluten-free Nutella and banana crepes... So, you know what happened next.

The rest of the day was spent exploring! (And a bit of eating, too). 

(After this robot picture I tried to take a selfie video dancing with the electronic music and got kicked out of the store because of a strict no-photography policy. Psh. Do it for the selfies.

Later that evening Jenny and I went for a stroll to see the London Eye. Here, we came across a man, dressed like Shrek. No- I'm not kidding. 

After we took our picture with him, he wanted money, and when we said no- tried following us... A little scary. (Or just a crazy man with a Shrek costume). 

Anywho. After that, we headed back to the hostel where we met my roommates (Jenny's were antisocial). One of them was a girl from Germany, who was writing a blog and living in London for a month. She wanted to join Jenny and I on our crazy adventures (uh, who wouldn't?) and we obviously let her. So, the three of us gals got dressed up, looking fabulous, and headed to a pub. 

While laughing over taking pictures with alcohol and fake dogs, and talking about "British dick" with our new German friend Inna, we found a pub to crash. Which, I believe was the most English pub we could have gone to. The music, the punk-looking artsy people, and even the way everyone was dancing. All of it. I absolutely loved it. It felt like a foreign, but similar, piece of home. 

After dancing and chatting for a few hours, the three of us headed back to the hostel and headed to bed.

The next day was fairly similar, as Jenny and I explored London (Piccadilly Circus, Chinatown, and the surrounding areas) during the day. 

Later on we went back to the hostel to prepare for some night clubbing with our new German friend, Inna, as well. We all got (very) attractive and headed to Club Koko, where we would spend the next 6 hours meeting British boys, dancing our booties off, and having my first experience (ever!!) clubbing!

It was SUCH a spectacular evening. From being compared to Britney Spears, (in her days of luscious blond hair and mental stability, I hope?) to showing the English my English accent impression, to trying to catch a taxi at 5AM when it's about 38 degrees F (about 2 or 3 degrees C) in a pencil dress. The night was magical. 

Sunday was lovely as well. Jenny and I went to the walking tour, saw Buckingham Palace, took pictures with some guards, saw the Big Ben, even more beautiful British men, and concluded our afternoon by finding our way to the London Bridge (after stealing the restroom at a fabulous cafe while it was pouring down rain). 

We then headed back to the hostel to grab our stuff and head to the buses, which were farther than we had remembered so, we were cutting it really close, and thought I would miss my bus. Stressed, we ran to the buses, said our last goodbyes (just for now) and off I went. I love and miss you already Jenny!! 

London was spectacular.