Day 1: Jet lag makes for fuzzy pictures and questionable observations

When Cat and I first arrived in Amsterdam, we forced ourselves out and about even though the jet lag was pretty strong. I only found out how strong when I got back. Most of the pictures I took that day have the wrong settings and the rest are out of focus! 

We didn't really know where to start, so we went on this free walking tour that I'm really glad I didn't pay for. It was very entertaining, but not very informative as I think our tour guide was making it up as we went along. She gave us tour of the central part of Amsterdam and told me a lot of stuff I don't believe, but probably the most entertaining story was about how the locals (very drunk locals) have a game where they throw any bike not locked to something into the canal. I talked about this with a colleague in Amsterdam, who was nice enough to store my camping gear, so that I didn't have to lug it around Europe. She also said there is a canal boat specifically designed to pull bikes out of the canal with a crane arm! 

Near the main train station in Amsterdam there is parking garage that holds about 3000 bicycles that kind of explains the sheer number of bicycles in Amsterdam. People ride on the luggage rack on the back of the bike, which requires a running start that is pretty hilarious to watch. A mom rode by with a toddler on the back and a baby in front. Probably the cutest thing I saw was a couple holding hands as they rode by.

For the rest of the day we wandered through the streets, taking it easy and finally eating dinner at a nice little cafe called Szmulewicz and watched the sun go down.

May 20, 2010