Trav is sterdam.

Apparently, a month and a half has passed since my last posting. I blame that on schoolwork and travel, and the fact that I really don't give a damn. Hey, it's my blog; I can update when I want so get off my back already.

So, how've you been? I've just finished my finals here at American College Dublin and so far I have a 66 in one class (in the Irish grading ruberic that equals a B - no joke) and am waiting for results from the others. But that shit's boring. Let's talk about something fun.

I just got back from Amsterdam. That was fun, aside from that part where I almost lost the surprise spoon. Some notable aspects of that trip include: the time I 'tilted' the pinball machine; poor-man's dinners in the parks with Marissa (a.k.a. picnics); the family of ducks; only showering once in four days and leaving most of my clothes behind; the Rembrandt house; the VanGogh Museum; the Anne Frank house; and the city itself.

I have to say, there is something to this idea of admitting that the human race has problems and making laws around their vices. Legalizing soft drugs and prostitution (while both of those are vastly different from each other in my opinion) and then taxing them instead of jailing offenders really makes for a beautiful city. I mean, it cuts down on organized crime and minimizes the danger of partaking in those activities. In drugs, you know exactly what you're taking - there's no need to worry about someone adding some unknown substance to your weed to, say, increase the weight of the bag because in Amsterdam, it is cheap, potent and plentiful. As far as prostitution is concerned, they are required to pass rigorous health exams and have support centers for the women just in case they want a change in vocation.

That being said, the Red Light District, which is a very small section of town, still made me tremendously uncomfortable. I avoided it at all costs, but unfortunately it was located in the heart of the city. It's quite surprising to walk down the street and see mostly-nude women in window after window for a few blocks.

I must also address the transportation in Amsterdam as it was the other most notable aspect about the city. There are more bikes on the streets than any other form of transportation, and they're the kind of bike with no gears and you have to stop by pushing the pedals in reverse. All of these bikes come equipped with a bell and most have a makeshift basket in front of the handle bars. Some baskets were apple crates, some were homemade and my personal favorites were baskets obviously stolen from grocery stores. There were bikes that looked like 'Big Wheels' for adults, tandem bikes and bikes with chariots for children. In addition to bikes, the canals that run through the entire city make it accessable to boats of all kinds, my favorite being the houseboats that were all done up with decks, bbqs and such.

Oh, and also the waffles and pancakes. Never have I ever had either breakfast food taste better. Words cannot describe the deliciousness, so I won't even try. You just have to go and taste for yourself.

All in all, it was a wonderful city. I would go back but I have many other places to visit first. Next stop: Barcelona.