Last weekend, 3 friends from work and I made our way to Amsterdam for what was the best weekend I've had staying here in the NL to date. I can't believe how great it was...still on cloud 9!
On Friday night, we had dinner at the co-worker's apartment who lives directly behind me. After wine, good conversation, great music and amazing food, I slipped out to make sure I could get up in the morning for Amsterdam. Big problem though....I was too excited to sleep! I don't think I've done an all nighter since my first few years working. That's how excited I was.
The next day, instead of taking the train, I drove us to the park and ride in Amsterdam and then we caught the tram into town. We found our hotel and checked in with our stuff. After a bit of walking around, we decided on lunch near the Anne Frank museum. Then we headed to the Anne Frank museum....and I once again learned that they do not check names or ages on museum passes as we used my 2 additional passes with no issues. Third time in the Anne Frank house was completely different than the first two. This time, I focused on what it would have been like to live there. Everything from the lack of light and blacked out windows, to the fact that the floorboards creaked when you walked on them caught my attention. Although they weren't in harms way while hiding, it was it's own prison of sorts. I also was struck by an interview done with one of Anne's friends that talks about a random encounter after she was taken to a camp. It struck me that even in a horrible situation, glimmers of hope came through for her, even if it was only glimmers. I still get chills hearing her father's interview.
The best part about seeing it was that 2 of the group hadn't seen it before and hearing their thoughts on it brought a different light as well.
After that, because 2 of the group are from the UK, we headed to a bar to watch the 6 Nations tournament (Rugby). I had never seen a rugby match all the way through, mostly because I didn't understand the rules. Having someone explain it to me was great and now I'm planning to go watch another match because I think I really enjoy it. Not as much as American football, but I get the appeal.
Then we had the best dinner I've had here in the NL at a place called Rancho. I think it's a chain, but I don't really care. The fajitas were great! Not as good as home, but there was definitely effort made to get it close. Conversation, food, wine.....all of it was fantastic.
The highlight though was going to my first piano bar for some great people watching and a bit of dancing. I have to admit that this was the only point during the day that I really wished I had slept at all the night before. I made it until 2am and then had to crash....luckily cabs were very close!
We had a late lunch/breakfast at a pancake place before coming back to the Hague and catching a quick nap before dinner and Les Miserables. Almost there on getting caught up on my Oscar's movies. I saw Lincoln today, planning to see Silver Linings Playbook this week and Argo next weekend.
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