Indonesinan food and bicycles

Friday

I had to rearrange my hostel reservations so I am staying where I am at and not moving downtown. The Flying Pig Downtown location is supposed to be really hectic and things are nice and relaxed where I am at. No need to move into chaos. I was staying in a 4-person room and that was working out pretty well. yesterday involved more walking around the southern area of Amsterdam, back to the Albery Cuyp Market area, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite areas to hang out.

Amsterdam is very much like San Francisco in my opinion. The way it looks and feels, but it is much better when you add in the European influences, and the people from all over the world that are here. One of my roommates was from Australia, and the other from Houston Texas. Then later that night a guy who works at the Flying Pig located (about 20 minutes away) on the beach, came in to stay in the remaining bed in our room. He was from Colorado.

I met a girl from Quebec City named Sarah. She is still in college, and is a different than the Sara from Melbourne, Australia. Unfortunately I didnt get a photo of her, but we hung out together and went downtown last night to get some cake at a coffeeshop. Amsterdam is a very easy city to get around in by using the trams too. We just went North for 5 minutes, got out and ate our cake on the patio seating of the coffeehouse. Talked for a long time and then went back to our Hostel bar to relax. She was extremely cute and we ended up hanging out together until it was 3am. She was supposed to wake up early and take a train to Brugge, but overslept and when I woke up at 11, she was just checking out. It was funny because at the bar, we ran into an American girl who had arrived into town and said "I think Im out of my league here" - her big thing was drinking lots of beers.

That was yesterday. Now it is Saturday and I am in a 8-person room with no shower. Its a little too much for me, but that was the best they could do. Tomorrow however, I move to the Luxor hotel which is right near the train station and then Monday morning I take off early. Already planning on coming back.

So what did I do today?

After changing rooms, I quickly washed up and walked to an Indonesian restaurant called Sama Sebo for lunch. Pretty good - kinda like a mix between Thai food and Indian food.
Then after, I rented a bike for the day. I have been cruising around almost the entire city today. Went through Vondel Park, which is comparable to Central Park in New York. Lots of people enjoying the sun, in groups lying in the grass, very old and tall trees line walkways and bike parts. A Prominade is almost a better word for the paths there. Much better for my ankle than walking. I cruised back to through the Albert Cuyp Market and had lunch in the middle of it all sitting outside of an Italian Restaurant/Bar. I went north from there and biked through the red light district and then headed West to the Jordaan, where I am now at an internet cafe called Mad Professor. It is currently 7:44 here and the sun is still out - Im in a nice part of the city where things are quieter and quainter, many small canals and tall trees.

Cool restaurants. People are hanging out in the outdoor seating everywhere. I think I will stop in one before heading back to the hostel for a shower and see whats happening for tonight.