Well it's been a while since I've posted, and I would like you all to know that I'm still alive lol. I haven't been able to post since I've been having so much fun in Bruges to type up a lengthy post, and plus I haven't had access to internet to do anything besides the occasional email check and facebook status update. Anyways, I'm now using free internet in Amsterdam's library so I can take my time and give an account of the last week.
Day 33: Last day in Paris, and all I did was some souvenir shopping and Wii tennis during the day. For my last night, I went out with my cousin and her friends and had an awesome dinner with lots of wine. I'm not usually a fan of wine, but I couldn't say no to alcohol lol. Anyways, pretty much just a nice little night out with alcohol to celebrate my last night in Paris.
Day 34: Got on a train heading to Bruges, Belgium. Was so tired from having a late night, that I fell asleep for most of the trip. I woke up to see everything covered in fresh snow which got me excited all over again lol. Got out of Bruges Station and was hit with a massive cold wind. Apparently, Europe is in a cold spell which hasn't happened for a while now. Lucky me. Anyways, using my map and poor sense of direction, I managed to navigate my way to the hostel in 45 minutes (when it should have only taken me 20). One interesting thing that I've noticed about Bruges is that the streets have speakers everywhere so there's constant music playing. And who knew that Belgium was famous for mussels? And fries? I knew about the chocolate and waffles, but not fries and mussels. So for my first meal in Bruges, I had all four items. And just to give you an indication of how cold it was, the melted chocolate on my waffle solidifed before I put it in my mouth.
Anyways, back to the hostel, and I was greeted with my dorm mates. Vicky (Dutch) and Katie (American) were first, followed by Geoff (American), Chas (Australian) and Sam (Kiwi). It was a solid night of drinking and getting to know each other, especially through playing "I Never". Belgian beer is bloody amazing. It's strong, and yet it still tastes so good!!
Day 35: Woke up to hear Chas throwing up in the bathroom. They really need to soundproof the rooms lol. Did the usual touristy things. Went to see the Fries Museum (which was a waste of my time and money - who cares about the origins of the potato) and the Chocolate Museum (much more interesting, plus they let you try some). Saw the Chapel of the Holy Blood, and also climbed up the Belfry Tower. The stairway going up is so narrow, that you need to squeeze past people going in the opposite direction. Aside from the sights, I just walked around the town. Bruges is simply amazing!! It's so small and peaceful. I walked the whole town in a day. After all that walking, I went back to the hostel and met up with Geoff and Chas, plus a new girl Rosemarie (Canadian). Pretty much, I went up to the room, and headed back out again. After warming ourselves up with some hot chocolate mixed with Amaretto, we hired some skates and went ice skating in the makeshift rink in the centre of Bruge. It's been so long since I've ice skated, and it's still as fun as I remembered.
After burning all that energy skating, we went to the supermarket, bought some stuff, and headed back to the hostel to make some burritos for dinner. First time I've ever cooked in a hostel, and it was fun experience. Over dinner, we met two more Australians, Emily and a guy who I never actually found out his name. Happy Hour at the hostel bar gave us beers for only 1 euro from 9-10pm. Even after that, beers weren't very expensive anyway - you could get a Duvel for only 2.50 euros. But the bar closed at midnight so we headed out to a local bar down the street. We were greeted with "You're just in time for Happy Hour!!". More 1 euro beers and more "I Never"!! We ended up leaving the bar at 3am, and walked out to see fresh snow everywhere. Of course we had to have a snowball fight. And with that, Day 35 came to an end.
Day 36: Decided to do a day trip to Antwerp since I didn't want to go to Brussels. Bad decision. Antwerp was ridiculously boring. I spent more time on the train than I did in Antwerp. At least I went to a vintage store there, and managed to find a pair of Levis for 10 euros. Pretty much a waste of a day. But the night was so much better!! Got back to the hostel and just sat in the bar and chatted with Geoff and Emily, before we were joined by some new people: Tim and Bryce (Aussies), Vera (Chinese) and Tim (American). Several drinks later, I realised that I hadn't had anything to eat since lunch. Quickly went out and bought some fries which I hoped would help me last the night. After getting a much-needed energy boost, we headed out to another local bar for more drinks, but had to leave at 1am since it was closing. American Tim and I were doing cartwheels as we made out way to the second bar. I seem to like doing cartwheels when I've been drinking don't I lol? I don't think my cartwheels were very good since I literally had no sense of balance after all those drinks lol. We got to the second bar and had more beers, and it's from this point onwards that I don't really remember what happened.
I have bits and pieces of memory which randomly come back to me. I remember falling off my chair. And I remember having to be held up and pretty much be carried back to the hostel by Tim and Bryce. I actually woke up feeling fine. I didn't realise I had thrown up until I was on the train to Amsterdam and seeing a cow caused me to remember me with my head in the toilet. Hahaha but I was feeling fine (apart from the slight nausea) so it didn't really phase me much. I blame a combination of strong Belgian beer coupled with a lack of food lol.
I had three nights in Bruges, and I went out drinking all three nights. I met so many amazing people, and had such a fun time there. This was my first truly fun experience in a hostel, and I don't think anything will trump this. Bruges is definitely my favourite destination so far!!
Day 37: My time in Bruges had come to an end, and I was actually quite sad that I had to leave. Ended up travelling with Vera for part of the way since she was also heading to Amsterdam (but via bus). On the train, she filled me in on the parts of the night which I couldn't remember lol. Got to Amsterdam, and it was fucking freezing!! I'm sure I've said this before, but I have never ever been so cold in my life (I've been told that Berlin is colder so I may be saying this again in a few days)!! Making my way to my hostel was definitely a challenge in the icy winds (which were actually pushing me) and fresh snow. And what do you know? My hostel is situated on the street of the Red Light District. I should have known, given that my hostel is called "Heart of Amsterdam". But the rooms are really nice and modern (albeit expensive but everything is expensive here). I'm sharing a room with an Aussie girl Georgia and six British guys (who I can't remember all their names) whose sole purpose was to get high, get sex and waste all their money. After dropping all my stuff off, I headed out for a quick dinner and then walked the Red Light. So many windows. So many girls. So many chunkies. It was quite interesting to see that, and some of them would even come up and tap the window as you walked past. Did a loop. And then another. And then went back to the hostel cos it was just too cold to be walking around. Couldn't sleep when I got back so I just watched some cable TV, before the British guys came back and were telling me all about their "conquests". They definitely had an expensive night.
Day 38: Woke up right at 11am and quickly dressed and rushed over to the starting point for the New Europe Amsterdam tour. But since it was snowing, they needed more time to set up, so I had some time to get something to eat. Bought a steaming hot bread type thing, which got cold within two minutes of leaving the store. Went on the tour, heard some interesting stories about Amsterdam. Amsterdam is apparently the most multicultural place in the world, with 177 nationalities living here (out of 195) and their population is only 800000. Also went to see the Anne Frank house, which was really interesting. It's quite sad to think that they might have survived had they not been betrayed. Anyways, met another Aussie on the tour (Peter), and after the tour had finished, we went for a few beers and a joint. We found a funky little coffeeshop with green neon lights. One joint for only 4 euros which is actually quite cheap. I must say, my first experience was a bit anti-climatic. I didn't really achieve a substantial high. I'm not even sure if I achieved a high at all. Peter, on the other hand, was already spaced out after three puffs. At least I can say that I've tried it. Might need to try a space cake to get an effect. Another night of hearing about the "conquests" of the British guys. They were telling me about how they now had no money at all, and were getting their parents to transfer them some so they could get home lol.
Day 39: Today. It's so hard to get out of bed in the mornings when it's so cold. I wish I could just lie there all day, but alas, I would then feel guilty for wasting my time. Ended up going to the Van Gogh Museum today, which I think is better than the Louvre. Damn expensive though. The freaking Netherlands don't offer any discount for students at all. Anyways, that museum pretty much took up most of my day since it was so interesting. I'm now currently in Amsterdam's Library which is huge, and offers free internet (and they have so many computers which is awesome). They also let you borrow movies, TV series, CD's and even computer games. This is an awesome library lol. Anyways, it's my last night in Amsterdam, and I really don't feel like a big night. Will prob just head back to the hostel for an early night since I have to check out early to catch my train. Getting to Hamburg is a bitch - I have to change trains three times. And the connections are quite tight. We'll see how that goes.
Anyways, I guess that's all for now. Summary: love Bruges, Amsterdam not so much. I kinda wish I could go back to Bruges, and just drink with all those guys again (although they're all in different cities/countries now anyway). I have a case of the post-Bruges blues lol. It might be a bit premature to say this, but I think my best experience on my Eurotrip will be those three days and nights that I spent in Bruges. We'll see if Hamburg, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Florence and Rome can prove me wrong lol. But for now, Bruges is the clear winner by far.
HBL signing out from Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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