Dear Amsterdam...I have been here only just over 24 hours and what can I say? I'm already madly in love with you! OK, so maybe I lucked out with beautiful weather, and I'm also here on a weekend, but still, I cannot help but gush.
Our hotel is close to the Red Light District, so from there we have taken our time walking to the Anne Frank House, the Flower Market and, today, the Van Gogh Museum. There are people everywhere - cafes are full, narrow streets are crowded, bicycles are whizzing by, and the canals have oodles of boats filled with revelers of all kinds.
The atmosphere is friendly in a whoop-it-up-let's-party kind of way, and as I stroll around I find it hard to believe I didn't make it here on the two big backpacking trips I took to Europe right afte college. Then again, I might have had a little bit too much fun had I been here in my early 20s, so perhaps it was for the best.
In any case, I'm in love with you now, and I'm so grateful to have shared this time with you. Tomorrow I am on flight number two of the five I'll be taking on this trip - headed to Berlin - but please know I will be leaving with a smile on my face.
Yours forever, Christine
Looking at your photos... I realize I NEED a vacation... nooooo... I need a REAL adventure... merci for sharing!
Posted by: Fifi Flowers | April 30, 2010 at 07:06 PM
Wonderful....
Posted by: ann | April 26, 2010 at 09:10 AM
My husband and I did a European backpacking trip back in the 80's and really, our favorite part was our stay in Amsterdam. In fact, after being there on the first leg of our trip we adjusted our itinterary so that we could stay several days at the end of the trip-we loved it so much. Went to all the places you mentioned here in this post. Awesome!
Posted by: kd | April 26, 2010 at 08:22 AM
Gorgeous pictures. Sounds like you are having a great time. BTW it was fun to open the Sunday paper (Worcester Telegram) and find your picture in the travel section. You do get around!
Posted by: Karen M | April 26, 2010 at 05:48 AM
gush away.......it's all that's good!
Posted by: Diane | April 25, 2010 at 03:01 PM
So when you come back to visit, you can catch all the things you missed this trip. Isn't it a wonderful place?? Can't wait to get there full-time; next jaunt in about two weeks.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | April 25, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Lovely post! Amsterdam is definitely a beautiful city, but I might be prejudiced because I'm Dutch ;)
Posted by: Lianne | April 25, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the love.
Posted by: Donna | April 25, 2010 at 09:39 AM
Oh! Delicious!
Posted by: Di | April 25, 2010 at 09:39 AM
I love this!
Photos are beautiful, as are your sentiments and your heart.
So glad you fell in love with a new city.
xoxo,
Christianne
Posted by: Christianne | April 25, 2010 at 09:27 AM