My friend Sam (Giesele) from Dusseldorf took a train and came to meet up! Kris from Australia made it here from his wondering in Europe. It was a while since we last talked in Hong Kong in 2007. Time flies!

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Sam was borned in Holland, so she took us around. We walked through the back side of the red light district to the local market, China town and then the parks nearby. The mini pancakes in the market were delish! They speak English, so Sam didn't have to translate for us. 

Wine and cheese was fun in the park, since we can't drink in the open in Canada. We didn't get the twist cap, so it was also fun watching Kris trying to borrow an opener and opening it for us. ​Sam went home by train on the same day. Kris stayed wondering about in Europe. 

I spent the last day of Amsterdam in a walking tour, and bought a couple of things. I moved to an airbnb a bit further out, just to taste how was it like to live in a local home. I got the attic. the room was not small, but the steps are steep I must say. The dutch kitchen is enormous! 

My best finds are fresh OJ and great shoes! What else can a girl ask for? Can you believe that these boots went through rain and snow with me in Canada for the last 5 years! I guess Amsterdam's weather is no better than Toronto sometimes, so their shoes fit our weather too! I told Matt about the Pancake's I had then. Matt's got a family recipe for them. Would love to try it here someday!

A friend I met from Hong Kong student exchange was from Dusseldorf. She was born in Holland. So she suggested to meet in Amsterdam. She came by train for a day to meet me and this other friend from Australia. I gladly agreed.

I took the train from Munich to Amsterdam. Being on the Euro train for the first time, I missed my stopover at Cologne while I was napping. I waked up soon after that and told the train staff. I think this probably happens all the time. He was quick to point out that there is another train to leave at the next stop in 9 minutes. So I jumped off at the next stop and switch over. I made it there to Amsterdam around the same time! Didn't miss a beat at all. Can't complain about German efficiency. 

I booked for a few days of hostel and an airbnb for the last day just to experience it all. I was travelling outside of busy season, so it was not hard to find a good hostel at good locations. I was staying at Hostel Van Gogh, which is also managing Hotel Van Gogh next door. There are a few museums nearby and fun places to explore. It was the first time I book a hostel by myself, without friends (now I remembered we did in near Central Park at New York when we finished high school). So I was a bit airy. But it worked out quite well in a 6 beds female room with an ensuite bathroom. 

First order of business was drop my bags and visit the Van Gogh museum across the street. 

The part of learning about art is to see more of it. I feel like I am living through a bit of it while I walked through Van Gogh museum. I learned later that the replica outside the museum are actually done by many Chinese painters in Shenzhen, China. There is a documentary about it, called China's Van Gogh's.  

I went back to the hostel, and was greeted by a new roommate from Argentina. She's looking to take a break from her personal life. So we ended up exploring Heineken Experience together. 

I think Toronto took the idea from Amsterdam to have the sign at the city hall. :o)

I spend the rest of the night meeting new roommates. We did the touristy stuff, including tourist menu at the restaurants and hit up a club and a cafe. What's a local Amsterdam food? I forgot to check it out. I had Chinese the next day while meeting my local friend.