"One goal accomplished, visited Amsterdam."

"One goal accomplished, visited Amsterdam."

So, I decided to go to Amsterdam today. When I woke up this morning I didn't even though about it, not even planning it. I did my ussual stuff what I normaly do in the morning, I made breakfast, took my medication and went on the laptop.  I had a good sleep even though it was a warm night, I slightly thought about Amsterdam while I was on the laptop. But in the ussual 'morning coffee break' at 9:15 I made the desicion to go, I thought, "I'm going." I still had a bit of doubts but when my mind is set on going, I'm going! Doubts or no doubts. 

Many bikes in Amsterdam.

I looked for the weather forecast online and looked on my bank account also online, it was all good. The weather said that there will be rain in the late afternoon, Friday and the up comming weekend more rain. Perfect for going now! I made my lunch ready for taking with me in the train and looked online for the times for the train, I still had one hour and then it's time to go, I counted aswell my saved 'week money' what I get every week. Every week I get 40 Euro for my food from Humanitas, actually they call it 'food money.' 

Open excursion boats, in Dutch, rondvaartboot.

I think I said it before that I can easily do with 40 Euro in the week, I even have money left when I buy my grocceries weekly. I started saving money from my 'food money,' cause I had plenty left. This saving has been going on now for five or 6 months, sometimes when I needed something badly, like clothing or maybe a small guilt to pay, I used a part of the money what I had saved. Today I'm going out and I could use some money, I counted what I had saved and I almost fainted. I saved more then 160 Euro! Woot! That's surely not bad. And I just had  a few weeks ago a little guilt to pay from that money,so I had to save it all over again. 

The National Monument on the Dam.

I decided not to take all the 160 Euro with me, but just what I needed. Some money for the food and ofcource some money for the trainticket, perhaps I will buy some needed clothing, but that I can do with my bankcard. The train trip went fine, I was just a tiny bit nerves, don't know why though. I was excited aswell, so that was good. I enjoyed the vieuw from the train window while it was riding, it took almost one hour and a half to arrive in Amsterdam. Just before arriving in Amsterdam the train takes it slow while ridding, it passes little stations but does not stop. It's nice then to look outside and see the high buildings and huge offices, (it made me think of city-ville, LOL!) 

Me entering the Palace on the Dam.

Amsterdam has changed alot, my god what a huge new buildings and new shops and houses. They even have a new harbor for a huge passenger/cruiseship, it's enormous. I couldn't almost wait till I got out the train, the weather was okay. Only a few grey clouds came in and I crossed my fingers that it not would rain, it helped. When I arrived I started walking and looked around slowly, I took some pictures aswell, I needed alot of pictures today. I enjoyed myself while looking around, I always have a same route what I walk when I visit Amsterdam, also today. I saw many new shops and visited them, I took my time cause there was no rush. 

Many, many statues in the centre of Amsterdam.

I wanted to buy souvenirs aswell today, but there were quit expensive. I looked for some lighters but they were expensive too, three Euro for one lighter? That's a no for sure! I needed six lighters,so that will cost me a fortune. I went to the 'Bijekorf,' the Bijenkorf is a huge warehouse with lots of stuff, you can compare it with Walmart. It has five floors, I ussualy go to the 5th floor for my favorite clothing section, but that section was gone. Instead of the clothing there was a huge dinning room a' la Manderin, it was all self serve. But expensive and huge, with lots of arty stuff added to the walls, it looked very nice though. But I missed my clothing section, sigh! Oh well, lots of other shops to visit still. 

The front of the train station In Amsterdam.

I went on with shopping and crossed the 'Damrak,' There's a statue in the middle of the Damrak, it's called the national monument. It's a 1956 World war 2 monument, lots of travelers and bagpackers join together there. It was busy, you could tell it's vacation time. Again I visited many shops, little shops and aswell malls, I went into shops where I normally never went. I enjoyed myself, I took my time. It seems Amsterdam has so many shops, when you call a product or an item, Amsterdam has a shop for it. I walked many miles, I went even further then I ussualy go. 'Rokin,' 'Muntplein,' 'Rembrantplein,' And back to the 'Nieuwmarkt.' It was quit a walk but I took my time and stopped so now and then for a little break.

A Russian souvenir shop, only in Amsterdam.

I passed again many souvenirs shops, one souvenir shop seemed not so expensive and there I bought six lighters, all with a typical 'Amsterdam' sign. Nice for some of the residents when I get back. Your not leaving Amsterdam after you visited the 'Red light district,' also called 'De wallen.' I saw many tourists, flaunting and smoking weed. It's Downtown Amsterdam. I checked my wallet and bag a few times, you never know. It was already late by my suprise, I really took my time. It was 4:00pm when I did my last route, 'Spuistraat,' Spuistraat is another street full of shops and pubs.I was looking for some clothing, I looked for some polo-shirts and long sleeves, but couldn't find one. 

Many and several shops.

It was fine with me, I had a nice day after all. I went to McDonalds for a nice meal, I was starving. (I should have taken the 'large' instead of the 'medium' ordering the big Mac meal) I realized that I did not had enough pictures, I wanted to visit one last area, and that was 'The ij,' the 'ij' is at the back of the train station, it's a river formerly a bay, Amsterdam's waterfront. If you cross the 'ij' you arrive at another area in Amsterdam, you can take many little ferry's to cross the 'ij.' It was so busy there, there was a akward moment there, a homeless woman came towards me and asked me for one Euro for a place where she could spend the night. She looked weird and seemed high, I told her,I haven't got one, I'm sorry," and I wispered softly, "I'm homeless myself aswell. 

One of the little ferries crossing the bay.

But she didn't hear me, if I would have given her the Euro I'm sure she would buy drugs for it, instead of finding a place for the night. The woman went on begging towards other people, and I went on looking at the vieuw over the 'ij.' I took some pictures and went on, it was 5:00 pm,a nice time to walk slowly to the trainstation and heading back. It was quit a puzzle to find the right train, normally I'm good at it finding the right train. But many things in the station has changed. I was looking for the train heading to Enschede, this train has some stops and will stop aswell in Almelo. But I couldn't find this train or train sign. I asked a conductor, always the best option if you can't find something or have to do something but don't know how, ask! 

A special ferry for only bikes.

I had to take the train to Amersfoort and from there I can take the train to Enschede, said the conductor. I knew Amersfoort, so that was easy. The train was packed with tourists and many, many other people, I had to stand untill Amersfoort. Blame the 'rush hour,' but I didn't mind, it was only 30 minutes until Amersfoort. Arriving at Amersfoort trainstation I decided to buy a icecream, (Magnum is the best) I still had 20 minutes to buy one and eat it, it was all good. I even bought a little note book to write things down for my next blog post, that was handy. I wrote already a piece so I can start writing when I get back. The train station was packed with travelers, it seemed everyone wanted to go home.

The palace on the Dam.

The train was a bit late, when it came I thought to myself, "all these people in that train? There's gonna be murder and deadslaughter." But it went okay, I took right away the first seat. The train was packed. I talked with a nice couple who came back from a trip to the USA, actually they went from Canada (Pearson Airport) to a part of the USA. They started of at Niagra Falls towards Boston, it was nice talking to them. I said that I also lived in Canada for a while, the guy was interested. It made the trip back towards Almelo even faster, I was back before I knew. I was exhausted but felt satisfied, being back was good. It's nice comming back knowing that people are kinda waiting for you, it's a better feeling that you come home in a empty house. 

Art on the street everywhere in Amsterdam.

I had a good day, and I'm glad I went! This calls for more, and I will. My next destination will be Berlin, Paris or London. But first things first, First a house and perhaps a job!