We had to wake up at 5am this morning so we could get ready and catch our 7:25am train to Amsterdam. There were some complications in the metro system so we ended up getting held up at a stop. Then we had to take 2 more trains to get to the station in time. Luckily, we all made it in time for the train. The train ride was about 3 hours. When we finally arrived, we headed to the tourist office to get information, and buy tickets to things. We were told that the Anne Frank house was sold out, but luckily we were able to get tickets to the Van Gogh museum. 

After that, we each got a 72 hr metro/bus/tram card and headed to the stop where our hostel was located. Our first mission was to find food. Most of us hadn't eaten breakfast and were absolutely starving. We opted for a fast food place, called "FEBO" which was right across the street from the hostel. As we walked in, we were all hit with a cultural shock. Everything was written in Dutch. Lidia starts missing Paris–she can understand French so ordering is a breeze for her back in Paris. Some of their words are the same in English, like "burger"; most of us go with the burger menu which is a meal consisting of a "grill burger", fries with mayonnaise, and a soda. When we finish, it's time to check in at Hotel Amigo, our hostel.

The stairs going up are steep as can be; they might as well be a ladder. The guy at the counter greets us as we walk in. I forgot his name, but he is Moroccan, and very nice. He shows us where we'll be staying and other necessary information. The lobby has wifi, which makes me super happy. He also gave us maps of the city and suggestions on where to go, and what to do. He suggests that for our first day, we should go out into the city and just lost; so we do.

     

We wander around in alley ways, and along canals going to flower shops and just admiring the city and everything it has to offer. At one point, two men are standing on a boat in the canal and start shouting things to us in Italian. I look over and one of them shouts "Bellisimo!" and blows a kiss. I blow him a kiss back thinking, hey I'm in Amsterdam, I'll never see these guys again. Then he shouts "I like you a lot" with an Italian accent. We all explode in laughter and continue our walk. 

As it turns to evening, we decide to go on a canal cruise for a better view of the city. It is absolutely beautiful. We pass by several house boats which I find to be absolutely fascinating. People actually live on boats! There are about 2,500 of them in Amsterdam and they get running water and electricity. I wish I could live on a boat! The houses along some of the canals are amazing. Some of them have between 15-40 rooms. I can't imagine living in one of those beauties. 

All of us were rather hungry after the canal cruise. We couldn't agree on anything food wise.  The Asians went to "Shanghai Noodle"; Lidia and I were craving pizza and opted for an Italian restaurant. As we sit down, the waiter lights a heart shaped candle between us. We both start cracking up!

The pizza was delicious!