I (don't) wanna ride my bicycle! I (don't) wanna ride my bike!

9^th October 2011 – 6pm

Hello again. The last time I wrote we were on our way to Amsterdam. I was really looking forward to Amsterdam. We arrived in the afternoon and walked for miles and miles (4-5kms) with our stinkin’ packs. After this I’m getting a suitcase on wheels. Anyway, Matt was getting over his second cold of the trip and I was just getting my first.

The first thing that struck us about Amsterdam was the traffic. There’s a lane for walkers, a lane for bikes and scooters, one for trams and the ordinary car lanes. The tram lanes were a bit of whatever goes and add to that they drive on the opposite side of the road and I was a tad freaked out. It was very busy, there were hoards of people everywhere and I was just glad to make it to the hotel in one piece. We got to one crossing with lots of strange markings on the road and we didn’t know what to do, so we ended up just following the other 2 people crossing the road, hoping they knew what was going on. I’ve never had to trust a couple of 5 year old girls with my life before. Everyone riding around on pushbikes was cute at first but after a while it just got annoying! If you stand still for long enough, someone will chain a bike to you. There are tonnes of abandoned bikes too, all rusted out and with warped wheels – I’m guessing they don’t need to trade in.

Anyway, the next day we ventured out into the city, without umbrellas because it was beautiful and sunny but the rain comes and goes like no one’s business! You’re dry one minute then BAM it’s pissing down rain and you’ve taken refuge in the door of a sex shop.

STREETS OF AMSTERDAM

We did a little canal tour which was an hour and a half and an hour too long. They did the tour in no less than 8 languages so by the time you divide that time up, there’s isn’t much more than very interesting facts like “there are many nice terrace houses on the right and even though you can’t see them, they have nice gardens.” Yep. 

A CANAL TOUR BOAT

And that brings us to our visit to the Red Light District. It is a must see, it really is. Everyone talks about this place like it’s one big massive joke but it was confronting and sad! These ladies really do just stand in these windows, parading their “wares” and interested punters can open the door, poke their head in and ask “how much?” If they are “busy” all you see is a tacky white shower curtain pulled across the door (complete with a rude picture on it of course) and the ones who are maybe having a quiet day at the office are either vacantly staring into their cups of coffee, or winking at MY BOYFRIEND. (I just waved my new engagement ring and said “Oh yeh, who loves YOU this much?” No I didn’t.) Matt laughed but I couldn’t help but think, what do their mothers think? There were hot ones, ugly ones, plastic ones, dimply ones, old ones. I felt so disgusting we had to go home so I could have a shower, and we got rained on the entire way home.

WINDOW SHOPPING IN THE "NICER" ALLEY. THE NARROWEST WASN'T A METRE WIDE

The next day I was determined to have a nicer time in this city. We went to the Van Gogh museum which we both found really interesting. There was a lot about his life and inspiration and while that normally bores me, it was really well put together and we both learnt a lot about Van Gogh. Still not sure what happened to his ear though. We remembered our umbrellas which was lucky because the ninja rain pelted down out of nowhere again. Amsterdam is also really well known for their diamonds, I didn’t know that before we checked out one of the many diamond museums. 

A WALK THROUGH THE PARK ON OUR LAST ARVO IN AMSTERDAM

From there it was back to grab our packs for the overnight train to Copenhagen. We sat at the train station for about an hour then moved to the platform we were told we’d be leaving from. Waited there for another 30 minutes when I thought this isn’t right. I asked Matt if the train 2 platforms over looked like a night train so he went to check and yes, it was ours. Packs on, a hideous dash through the crowd and we made it to our train with about 2 minutes before it took off. Close call!

Overnight trains. I’d been warned against them: “They sound like a good idea but don’t do it.” Well it did seem like a great idea and we did it. Travel and accommodation for one night! We probably won’t do it again. No one told us to pack our own dinner, and to be honest that would have made it a bit better. The sleepers are tiny and can sleep 4 people. We were told we’d have another 2 people joining our sleeper at 2am and they didn’t show so that was also a bonus. One we got settled it was really quite comfy but so so grotty.

We arrived less than fresh as daisies in Copenhagen this morning at 10am and were greeted by the most expensive prices for food yet! The exchange rate makes it look hideous – 100 Krone for bacon and eggs – but the conversion isn’t good – 20 Aussie dollars for bacon and eggs. Copenhagen rates as the 4^th most expensive city in the world. We really should have done some more research.

Anyhow, this afternoon we took it really easy as I have now contracted Man Flu from Matty. We strolled through a park (which is actually a military facility), saw the famous “Little Mermaid” sculpture which I’d never heard of, and found out that the Tivoli theme park is closed for the few days we're here. Oh, it’s fookin’ freezing here by the way. We got a bus tour ticket that we intend to use tomorrow to see some of the sights. We were going to do it by foot but I’m just not up to it at the moment with this cold. 

LOVELY COPENHAGEN!

THE LITTLE MERMAID

We are nearly six weeks in now and I’m feeling really fatigued. I know I’ll kick myself in 5, 10, 20 years’ time when I remember that all I wanted to do was go home and make myself a decent coffee, have vegetables for dinner and sleep in my own bed! It’s probably just the cold talking and once it goes away I’ll be ready to keep going again!

Oh by the way, it’s a tad before 7pm and I just had to wake Matt up so I could read him this blog, so I guess he's a little worn out too.

Amy.