I want your lovin' and I want your revenge

Last night I did it…

I saw it…
I experienced it…

That’s right…The Lady Gaga Monster’s Ball Tour 2010.

And it was amazing.  No strike that…it was incredible.  Wait one more…it was...

Say what you will about Lady Gaga (except keep negative things to yourself thank you very much), that woman can put on a show.  The show started off with Semi Precious Weapons.  At first it seemed strange, but once I realized what they were/about I realized only this band could ever open for the Gags.  It was a rock/metal band lead by a fabulously gay transvestite with gold glittered boots who dropped the f-bomb more times than Gaga changed outfits.  And somehow it was perfect.  They’re hit single out later this year was entitled “I can’t pay my rent, but I’m F*ckin’ Gorgeous.”

But then…It was time.  It’s so hard to explain…the outfits, the dancing, the sets…all so amazing.  I also appreciate my required Drama 50 classes in college a lot more now because I was able to appreciate the set/costume/lighting and sound designs much more.  Not only did I notice “Hey look Gaga has a black lace onesie,” I also was able to think, “hey look at those high-waisted modern leos on the men and how they complement their dancing and the surrounding tree/forest set and gobo’d moonlit lighting for this particular piece. (It was “Alejandro” for those curious.)

I also love Lady Gaga for what she stands for.  I know I know all you moms/Fox news reporters are like "All she does is dance around half /fully naked. But listen. Over and over again she continually encourages anyone and everyone to be who they are.  Yes she is an extreme of so many things…and some (crazy) people tend to not like that.  But she has provided a gateway for teenage, young adult, gay, straight, tall, short, people to be happy with themselves.  Seriously…watch almost every interview she’s ever done.  Also she said it at the concert.  Another beautiful moment was in the middle of “Speechless” (one of my favorite songs) she asked for a moment of reflection on the plane crash a couple days ago that killed many Dutch citizens leaving a single 8 year old boy as a survivor.

Ok now for the bad part…I couldn’t afford the good tickets.  I couldn’t even afford the floor tickets.  To be honest, I couldn’t afford the tickets I had.  But I was still there to enjoy the concert and dance the night away to the best current dance music artist out there (it’s true.)  So when a song like “Just Dance” comes on, what should you do?  Why get up and dance of course!  Except for some reason, my section was filled with party poopers.  NO ONE GOT UP!  And after a quick chorus, we were actually TAPPED ON THE SHOULDER AND ASKED TO SIT DOWN!!!!  Our reply…

- You do realize you’re at a pop concert don’t you?

- Do you know the title of this song?

- This isn’t the symphony!

- Are you f*ckin sh*tting me?

- Why are you a forty year old woman with no obvious younger children under your control even at a Lady Gaga concert?

- Oh ok, sorry.

Yea that’s right…we conceded…until “Telephone.”  Finally people starting standing around us, and with a (bitchy I admit) glance backward, we proudly stood and danced the rest of the song away.  Along with several songs after.  And soon forgot the horrible task that had been requested of us and enjoyed the rest of the night.

Now, I took pictures, but since I was so far away, none of them really turned out.  But here’s me after the show…

My only regret is that I didn't get more "dressed up."  Lady Gaga's probably one of the few concerts I could have gotten away with wearing my bright pink tights and giant bow headband.  Yes I really own both of those things.

So let’s just say it was wonderful.  And now for some Lady Gaga tributes…to my current song I’m obsessing with “Bad Romance”...

First…I found this over on Happy Jeannie’s blog today and it was totally appropriate…she’s right too, it does remind you of college…

Then there’s this one…Hooray for (very) supportive mothers!

And then the piece de resistance…my very own Fien…I know…it’s amazing…



Word of the Day: magisch - magical

I want nothing else...

The year was 1999 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Bell bottoms had returned and the shirts had gotten short.  A new music known as “alternative” was hitting the streets and the kids were doing a new thing called “moshing.”

Oh wait.  That’s right it was 2010, I was in Amsterdam and was wearing nothing close to bell bottoms and a crop top…except I was still listening to alternative rock and attempting to definitely “mosh.”  So why this sudden flashback to Middle School?  Because last night I saw one of my favorite bands of all time – Third Eye Blind.

For those of you who don’t know or only think you might know them, Third Eye Blind is responsible for the ever popular

Doo doo doo, doo do doo dooo, doo doo doo, doo do doo dooo, doo doo doo, doo do doo dooo, doo doo doo

Also known as “Semi-Charmed Kind of Life.” (oh, now you see it)

As psyched as Mags and I were, we assumed we’d be in a large club attempting to even get a good look at the stage and maybe be able to dance a little while signing along to our favorite songs.

But no!  When we got into the stage area, we were able to walk right up to the front.  And when the band came out to perform there were maybe four people I would have had to step on should I feel so inclined to climb onto the stage and jump the lead guitarist (which I soooo wanted to do trust me.)

It’s amazing how you’re transported back to being a kid with a crush when you come into contact with said crush.  (I still get woozy when I watch Chris O’Donnell on NCIS: LA)

What I couldn’t get over was the amount of Dutch people there that seemed to know all the lyrics.  I mean, I knew they are an internationally known band and did tours (including Amsterdam) before, but somehow I was surprised when the Dutch boys next to me started singing along.  Here’s a little clip from Jumper.  This was my high school boyfriend’s favorite song…I still think of him every time I hear it…

And no that is not me singing completely off key.  I don't know what you're talking about.

And here’s some more shots of the band.  It should be noted that I didn’t have use zoom at all.  This is really how close they are.  I know.  Lucky right?

I just can’t get over it…there they were…rocking their hearts out. singing old and new songs, and admitting to missing California almost as much as I did.  Which meant I had to get this shirt…

Of course I also had to go on iTunes and buy their new album.

It’s times like this when I wish I had twitter on my phone.  Now you remember how I’m not a huge tweeter? Well in this case, I could have sent them a message and then in my wildest dreams they would have written back right after the show and we would have met up for a drink in Amsterdam.  So I blame the phone.  Because that’s the only fault I see in that plan.

So 3eb if naturally you’re reading this, and you rocked Amsterdam so hard core Saturday night.  I love you.

Word of the Day: rockmuziek - rock music

A week and an entry as schizophrenic as John Cusack in Identity

Is that an obscure enough entry title for you?

Anyway...
Remember a little while ago when I told you about Queen’s Day?

Well I think it’s time I showed you footage.  There’s really no way to describe it.  There’s a whole lot of Orange.  Believe it or not (I’m gonna go with not unless you’ve actually experienced Queen’s Day for yourself,) these were some of the much tamer outfits worn that day. Oh and also...the Garbage people went on strike that day.  And the entire city was one giant trash heap.  Just thought you should know.

Group shot Queen’s Night after our craft session with all things orange…

All set to go out on Queen’s Day (yes that is an orange bra poking out!)…

(Start of) Canal Parade…

And yes those are hotel bathrobes.  Because that’s how we role…

What can I say? I'm a baller...

Yep.  So there you go.  I think the closest thing that we have in the US in Mardi in New Orleans…maybe.  It’s hard to believe anything else can be just as insane.

But then a week later on May 4th and 5th is Liberation Day(s) in Holland.  The 4th is the much more somber remembrance of the lives lost, while the 5th is the celebration of freedom (Basically it’s Queen’s Day II.) They celebrate their Liberation from Nazi Germany in World War II in 1945.  It’s amazing how well observed this Holiday is by the entire country.  I don’t mean to get political, but allow me to put this into perspective…

I brought up 9/11 while talking with Suzan and Rogier the night of the 4th.  I was saying how amazed I was that 65 years later, everyone still wakes up on May 4th, knows it is Remembrance Day, and at 8:00 the entire country fall silent for two minutes.  Movies are paused, practices are delayed, and games are stopped for this national observance.  And here we are less than ten years later and half of America probably forgot to *realize* that on September 11th it was September 11th.  But Rogier explained…

September 11th was the first “fight” on American soil (forgoing the Pearl Harbor, not yet a part of, not the continental, etc. argument please.)  The "fight" on our soil lasted a day and over 5000 lives were tragically lost.

World War II lasted for four years in Holland.  On average, 5,000 people Dutch citizens died every single day.  Please, please understand that I’m not saying that 9/11 is less worth remembering.  And the impact it had on so many elements of our country – our politics, our defense system, our economy, and our livelihood, will remain a part of history forever.  But it cannot be compared to Europe in World War II.  Not because it’s any less significant.  I can’t stress this enough.  It just can not be compared.  To put it lightly inappropriately, it’s apples and oranges.

Any Cloggies out there want to contribute anything?  Did I miss something?

Ok.  So there you go.  I know that was a little bit of an intense bit of information.

Anyway…at 8:00 on May 4th Suzan and I were watching the service on TV in Amsterdam.  We were about a minute and a half into the moment of silence and this is what we saw…

Let me start off by saying everything turned out to be ok (as much as it could after that chaos) and the Queen returned and the ceremony continued.  What has now been officially released is this…

“A panic ensued among the thousands assembled on the May 4 Remembrance Day to join the Queen to honor the dead of the Second World War, which ended 65 years ago. The two minutes of silences had almost ended when a man in the crowd started screaming. Another dropped his case out of fright which caused a bang, setting off cries of "a bomb, a bomb". In the ensuing stampede to get away from the area, 63 people were hurt. Luckily, the worst injuries were broken bones.”

But can you imagine watching the TV and all of a sudden that’s what you see?  I FREAKED!  We had no idea what was going on.  All Suzan could say was “SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT”

Of course which caused Fien to reply “What is shit mama?”

Word fo the Day: Dodenherdenking – Remembrance Day

Piece of Me: May flowers

So many things to post this month!  Be excited!

But for now, here's A Piece Of Me


This month (May)…

I like: The SUN!  Hello bright ball in the sky!  I’m glad you’re back!  You were missed!

I don't like: that Cinco de Mayo will not be celebrated here...I WANT MARGARITAS!!!

I want you to know: that in the next couple of months, you’re going to read a lot more freak outs about the fact that as of right now, I have no idea what I’m doing from when I’m done here in November to next August when grad school starts…FREAKING OUT!!!

I've planned: to go to a Third Eye Blind Concert, Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball Tour, and the German Movie Park.  Hooray busy weekends!!!

I want to say to someone special: Dear Universe, seriously, any ideas, signs, etc. would be greatly appreciated...thanks!

Picture of the Month:

Word of the Day: Mei - May 

Once Upon a Dream, you were our Guest in Part of our/A Whole New World

Well, I was busy with my April fools and the my explanation of my April fools, and then my two Easter posts, I have yet to tell you about my totally awesome time at

DISNEY PRINCESSES ON ICE!

Yea you read it right.  And yea, I was about as excited as it sounds by my effort to type in capitals, and change the size and color of the words. (That’s a lot btw)

Suzan got tickets for her work.  There was a big gala AND we were VIP.  We had front row seats, got special badges, goodies bags, free drinks before hand, walked the pink carpet, the whole nine yards (well the carpet was more like 15 or 20 yards, with a corner in it, but I didn’t have a ruler.)  Since it was princesses, we were supposed to wear pink.  The kids were invited to wear princess/prince/other Disney character outfits.  Fien had a Tinkerbell’s friend outfit from the new Fairy series (which I’m still on the fence about but at least it explains that she’s the daughter of the king of the fairies truly making her a princess.)  I also got a new shirt to wear.  Plus we made some crowns on the day of... 

Plus I got her a Sleeping Beauty necklace.  Can you tell I was excited?  Anyway, Fien looked like a total glamour girl…

And who would have thought she would have hammed up the red carpet like she did?  She absolutely loved it...

And one point we even stopped and danced.  Everyone got a total kick out of it.

I used to go see Disney on Ice all the time.  In fact I think I still have the felt cut outs on sticks somewhere (or they're on Nina’s walls.)  And I definitely still have the Chip snow cone cup from Beauty and the Beast on Ice.  And although I stopped myself from getting another felt cutout or an Ariel snow cone, I did get myself a program…in DUTCH!  But who cares?  All you want to see is the pictures!

When it was time to go in, we settled into our front row seats.  Fien was on Suzan’s lap with me right next to her.  But Rogier came up and told me to move!  I was so sad!  I understand it’s his daughter, but was he going to sing all the songs and explain who everyone was?  NO!  However Suzan just scooted over one and we each sat on either side.  Fien was surprisingly into it the entire time.  We thought she would fall asleep, but she remained awake, clapping, singing, etc. the whole time.  I’m glad I got to see it through her eyes (although mine may have been just as rose tinted.)

The show itself was awesome.  There were seven separate stories connected by Tinkerbell and Mickey and Minnie dancing around.  My favorite was the Little Mermaid one, but that could have just been because she’s my favorite.  Sleeping Beauty was pretty cool too, but when it got to the fight scene, I leaned over and warned Suzan, that Fien would probably not like what was coming next.  At that moment a ten person operated Dragon and fire were brought onto the ice. Just in time!

Even though it was in Dutch, I knew exactly what was going on.  I was even singing along to the songs…in English of course.  As were the actors.  You could tell they were lip-syncing to words which they didn’t have to clue how to say.  Suzan was so surprised that I knew all (seriously…all) the songs.  I had to explain with fond remembrance that I was raised on these movies.

So all was perfect.

Ok except for one thing…and this is something that has always pissed me off…

Sleeping Beauty – Princess from birth

Ariel – Princess from birth

Snow White – Princess from birth

Jasmine – Princess from birth

Cinderella – marries and is then a princess

Belle – marries and is then a princess

Pocahontas (who was not in the show unfortunately) – Indian princess, I’ll allow it

Tiana – I haven’t seen the movie yet…what’s the story there?  Is she one before she becomes a frog? Or after.  Either way, seeing as the name of the movie is the Princess and the Frog, I’m gonna assume it’s legit.

Tinkerbell – already discussed, apparently a princess

Mulan – NOT A PRINCESS!!!  I’m sorry.  Even when she gets married (which I’m assuming happens in Mulan 2?) she marries a general…not the emperor.  Never a princess.  And I hate that she is portrayed as one.

Ok that was the end of my rant.

Back to the awesome night…except I guess that’s it.  I’ll just leave it at, it was amazing.  And now Fien and I sing Disney songs, and next week we’re watching Cinderella (only one not scary for a two year old yes?)

Word of the day: prinses - Princess

New Years Eve Statistics

I sat in front of my computer for a long time trying to figure out how to put into words the intensity that is New Years in Amsterdam.  Recounting it all in paragraph form wouldn’t do it justice.  But then again, not being there doesn’t do it justice.  I have one word for you – fireworks.  And another one – legal.  And maybe two more – FOR EVERYONE!!!  And I’m not just talking about some kid with a sparkler…I mean, fireworks that go up in the air and explode like you’d think only Disneyland can do.  Except in this case, instead of a highly trained team of Mickey Machines, it’s any drunken fool with a lighter and two feet of clearance.

But I still can’t put it into words.  So instead of trying I’m going to give you the stats…New Years Eve in Amsterdam 2009 consisted of…

3...awesome girls who celebrated new years together...

7…times I had to make like the black knight and die while Lily’s ward Peer attacked me with a foam sword and then stole my hat

2…times we went to Walk to Wok for delicious stir fry

40…euros the classy bottle of champagne given to us by Lily’s family cost…

7…euros the bottle I bought cost

10…minutes we spent trying to get my bottle open because it required a corkscrew but wasn't an actual cork…

6.5…pieces of cake eaten

5…euros it cost to get into the club

1980…the decade of music the club was supposed to be playing

2000…the decade the club actually played

2…euros the coat check woman charged us for two coats even though she only gave us one hanger.

70…probable age of the coat check woman

40…age the coat check woman should have stopped working at a bar on new years

50…cents it cost to use the bathroom

1…time I had to use the bathroom

3…times I opted to just "hold it"

1/2…price long island ice teas were discounted

3…beers we got for free

3…number of the World War that seemed to start at midnight

3…feet I was away from exploding fireworks (not by choice)…

360…degrees you could turn and see fireworks in the sky...

5…different accessories I acquired during the evening…

3...new dance faces I discovered...

15…rough number of men in the club who lost their shirt at some point in the evening

25…estimated number of men Lily and I had to ward off per minute

1…estimated number of men we didn’t want to ward off

10…pounds Lily’s bike lock weighs that she threatened to shank someone with if they didn’t leave us alone

8...hours my sprite bottle was attached to my bike and not stolen...

4…time we got home

0…number of cutting boards we had at our disposal to make guacamole causing us to sit on the floor with a towel

1,70…amount lily paid to try her first cup of coffee in three years

5…cups of coffee I had on January first

68 million…amount spent by the Dutch on fireworks this year

240 thousand…kilos of fireworks confiscated by police

2400…rough number of “incidents” on new years eve

8 million…estimated euro amount of public damage done on new years

2…police men injured trying to put out a bonfire while being simultaneously pelted with crackers (???)

350…people arrested

22…men admitted into hospitals with firework-related eye injury

8500…crazy people who celebrate the new year by going swimming in the ocean

3…firework explosions I’m still hearing per hour
0...number of resolutions I've made

Does this explain to you my night?  I hope it does.  If not…come to Amsterdam next year and experience it for yourself.

Happy New Year everyone!

Tomorrow…making resolutions time!


Photos once again courtesy of Lily-Margaret!

Word of the day: gelukkig nieuwjaar – Happy New Year

Noorwijk aan Vegas

Last night, I made the most amazing discovery…the club scene of Noordwijk, Holland.
It started off as a peaceful Saturday night. My new friend Caro from Columbia and I met for drinks at a cute little bar called “The Grand.” It is on the street of many a bar that I hear can be quite hoppin’…in the summer time. So we settled into the outdoor (covered and heated) patio around nine o’clock for a nice glass of wine and conversation. The place wasn’t very busy at all, and there was faint music coming from inside the bar. We enjoyed the people watching too as girls wearing nothing walked by obviously freezing in the zero degree weather.
We talked for about two hours before Caro excused herself to go the restroom and came out with some unexpected and exciting news…there was a dance floor inside. I had not come out to go dancing and was therefore debating not going inside, but when a good Beyonce is used as rebuttal, I have no choice but to concede. So after a little persuading, I followed her in, checked my coat, and ventured onto the dance floor that had maybe ten people on it. Thinking we would pull of a few dance moves then hit the road, we began taking full advantage of the empty floor.
It’s a good thing we took advantage then because within the next half hour, the entire floor was jam-packed. We could not move. At one point Caro excused herself to the restroom and what was originally a fifteen second walk, now left me stranded talking for about ten minutes to some guy who’d been hitting on Caro for the past five. Not that we got much speaking done. And no I don’t mean that in any way dirty, I mean it in the way that it was so loud, we had to yell into each other’s ears and then repeat ourselves a good three or four times. All the noise and people made me long for the peacefulness that is the Vegas club life…But we were having fun. We were still pulling off some killer moves, I’m pretty sure my version of the white man’s overbite was under control, and the music was amazing. But then guys started showing up. I hate to break it to you boys out there, but dancing with girls in clubs just kills our mood. I know it’s a stereotype, and many a comedian has made fun of us for it, but it’s totally true. And it doesn’t matter if you’re hot or not, you have one move and one rhythm, which means that as women we lose all freedom to be awesome in our choreographic prowess. We have to stand there, not talk to you, and kind of bounce back and forth so as not to throw off the immense concentration that goes into standing next to a girl and swaying to the music. This is why women go to clubs where the men are not interested in them sexually…it’s there that we are able to bust out what can only be described as Ballroom Dancing of the 21st Century.
But all ranting aside, when we finally left, we wandered down the street, bid each other farewell, and made it back to the comfort of our nice warm beds. Awaking the next morning (I can call it that because thankfully it was still before noon) with my ears still ringing, I made coffee, and immediately got onto the facebook to invite all my newly acquired girlfriends over for a weekend in Noordwijk that I’m sure will rival any one in LA. And who thought this was just a beach town?

Word of the day – discotheque - club

Cuban Night (unfortunately does not equal Cuban boys)

Last Saturday, a couple girls from couch surfing got together in Leiden and went to Cuban Night at the Anthropology Museum. I was super excited. I arrived in Leiden at 5:00…or 17.00 military time which is what I remembered. Of course the time I was actually supposed to be there was 7:00…whoops!
Fortunately, Lily was there early anyway visiting a friend. We found some great stir-fry place where I got my first spicy meal in the last three weeks and then took some time to walk around and get ourselves a little home town lovin’…Pat and Kate...You know you jealous!
Then it was time to meet at the Anthropology museum. We met Giulia who we knew from Amsterdam Museum N8, along with Nicole from Germany, as well as some girls who split off once we got there from Poland, Argentina, and Italy. The best part was that seven of us were my height…not something that happens often (and also a surprise in the country with the tallest people by average.) Of course Lily was a giant among us so it was a lot like Snow White…At the Anthropology Museum we were able to see some great exhibits from all over the world. My favorite was the Turquoise skull from South America…We also had fun dancing…And listening to some Cuban music…Of course me, being the adventurous one, wandered off while no one was watching and found the kiddy section. After dragging the girls over and knew they’d enjoy it, we acted as if we didn’t speak Dutch (and by Dutch we mean pictures) and went, over six years old and with our shoes still on, into the Explorer Bus…After a great photo shoot, we also made the amazing discovery of…A SLIDE! As well as a Polar Bear…Then we went to a lovely restaurant where the 12 ounce bottle of soda I ordered was only one euro less than an alcoholic drink. Of course no one else ordered anything alcoholic, so I stuck with my coke. It’s crazy because I ordered it thinking I’d be able to quench my thirst, BUT they do not offer free tap water as well as refills. So I finished my drink pretty early and then sat there dying of thirst. However there was DELICIOUS olive tapenade! But now I know. It was still a lot of fun...It was a great night. It also ended the way a night at an Anthropology Museum should - an exploration of other people’s cultures involving the practice of greetings. You see, in the Netherlands you greet people by three kisses starting with the right cheek. In Italy, you do two kisses starting with the left. In Argentina, you do one kiss on first meeting (a little too personal for my taste.) In America you handshake, or sometime hug, depending on your pre-correspondence. In Germany you just handshake. So before each of our good byes we had to agree on what greeting we were doing. Pretty funny, but also awesome!
Anyway, the night was great, and I made even more friends. Can’t wait to join these ladies again!!!

Amsterdam Museum N8

This was the possible the greatest night to happen to Amsterdam. Two Saturdays ago, starting at 6:00 PM, 42 museums are open until 2:00 in the morning followed by numerous after parties. I met up with some girls from couchsurfing and immediately made friends. I even met another aupair from Florida. We split up from our very large group and took off on our rented bikes. Although I had been the one to rent it, I opted to sit on the back while someone who was used to riding in and out among traffic steered the bike.
Anyway, we went to the Film museum and saw an exhibition of distorted nudes in the dark while wearing head lamps. It was weird because you had to wear an mp3 player and share with someone you didn’t know and then you’re standing next to this total stranger while staring at double exposures of boobs.
Then we went on to the Museum Willet Holthuysen where we bought a glass with a diamond in the bottom of some shampanya (not the Dutch translation, just the Christopher Walken one)…The point was to turn in your fake diamond after finishing your champagne and enter for a chance to win a real one, but we totally just kept our diamond and now we be blingin’ and you know y’all jealous. There was a tour going on but we didn’t join because 1. It was in Dutch and only one of us spoke enough to understand and 2. The people giving it were dressed like a Real Housewives of Orange County dinner party...The museum itself was a restored 17th century house of the rich and wonderful. There was a gold plated canopy bed, tall doorways (a symbol of wealth), a beautiful garden that was being set up for a wedding, and some really nice chairs that I don’t think you were supposed to sit in…
By this time, two people with bikes had left our group to visit other museums and we were stuck with too many people and not enough seats. It didn’t help that Lily had a one-seater mountain bike, which is completely ridiculous in a country so flat the highest mountain is 28,000 feet lower than Mt. Everest. So as a group we walked our bikes to the Jewish Historical Museum. This was my first choice because in the children’s section was a free craft – make your own tutu!! So while I stitched and sewed tulle, the others checked out the swing party and enjoyed the only completely kosher café in Amsterdam…Our next stop was the Hermitage Museum – a gigantic building that used to be a nursing home and orphanage but was then turned into a multi-winged museum…We saw rooms and rooms filled with the current exhibit – Russian royalty. We all picked out which dress we would wear and then shared our knowledge on the Anastasia story based on our culture. Surprisingly, none of them knew about Bartok…We were getting a little tired so we decided to rest on our way to our last stop. So we popped into a museum on our way, which happened to be a church. There was some weird experimental music thing going on, but we did get to see one of the most gorgeous organs ever…And we also took part in the sacrament…On our way to our last museum of the night we went through the red light district. Allow me to explain why it’s called this…because there are red lights in windows. Amazing right? Also in the windows are girls in underwear, but I wasn’t really paying attention to that. We got to the last stop, which was W139, a modern museum with a hole in wall (literally) for an entrance and a DJ spinning a huge variety (Brick House and Lady Marmalade were both in his repertoire). There we met up with other couch surfers and danced the night away. I also discovered my dancing face apparently. I think it came along when I cut my hair but I can’t be sure…Well 2:00 came and we thought we were done so we traveled back through the red light district. We stopped for fries which was when I discovered the amazingness that is curry ketchup. You do not know the wonder until you tried it! Pat…you especially. So we met up at a bar and decided to hit one of the after parties. It was in this great club called Odeon. It’s a restored old building with Grecian architecture. And in the alcoves of Greek columns, were DISCO BALLS! The one thing though is that European music is all the same thing and it’s impossible to dance too. And after some hard core dancing at W139, trying to step in time to a song with no obvious rhythm while watching a bunch of people flailing around was a little overwhelming.
But the night was finally over. Carly, one of the girls, had agreed to host me that night so we biked through Amsterdam at 6:00 in the morning where I fell asleep for four hours. I then woke up, met Lily for falafels and ended my first trip to Amsterdam in the best way possible – fresh hot chocolate.

Word of the day: fiets - bike