Great, Great Britain
To make a huge understatement, I had an eventful week in England. Among other things, I went to a British yoga class, posed with Russell Brand, and got lost in downtown London. Now, I must make the following disclaimer…this Russell Brand wasn’t the actual Russell Brand. It was a wax replica of him…but it’s hard to tell in the photo :) It was taken at Madame Tussauds – the one in England is the original location, but the museum has since expanded to several large cities around the world! And as for the British yoga class, I kept up as best I could. I felt a little out of place, considering the fact that our “warm-up” included a full-on headstand! But I’m so glad that I went, because immersing yourself in local activities is what travelling is all about. And don’t worry – although I did get turned around, my rain-soaked map proved to be quite useful! After making it back to the hotel, I was in need of some serious nourishment. That evening concluded with the best Pad Thai of my life.
The British version of the subway is called the Underground. It’s really convenient, uniting a series of stations throughout the area. We purchased day passes and took it to a variety of different stops. London is one of those places where you could spend months and still not see everything! I definitely want to go back and devote additional time to seeing more of the landmarks here.
The Las Vegas of Europe
They say Las Vegas is the city that never sleeps. But after spending a few nights in Amsterdam, I’m convinced that it could give Las Vegas a run for its money. Sure, daytime in Amsterdam is as exciting as you’d imagine. But when the sun goes down, the city comes to life. There’s a different vibe here, uncommon in most places I’ve been to. There’s something to do during all hours of the night – cafes and bars turn into nightclubs and discos. The streets are filled with people ready to party. Balcony doors open as locals blare music from their iPod speakers. It’s a cool feeling to walk around in the dark, guided by the city’s vibrant energy, yet unaware of your surroundings.
Amsterdam is different in other aspects as well– both culturally and politically. It’s a very liberal area known for its lack of harsh rules and regulations. Amsterdam is home to the Red Light District, a stretch of brothels, bars, and provocative theatres & shops. Marijuana is legalized here – I’ve passed a few cannabis cafes while walking down the street.
In my previous post, I mentioned that my family loves taking hop-on, hop-off busses when touring a new city. We tried something new in Amsterdam…a hop-on, hop-off boat! It was a great way to see some of the beautiful buildings built along the waterway.
Highlights so far:
Walking across the Tower Bridge and getting caught in the rain while taking in the beautiful views.
Hanging out in Trafalgar Square in London. It was one of the few nice days weather-wise & we soaked up some sun by the fountain!
Visiting the Anne Frank museum – being there was very inspiring. I remember reading about her at a young age.
Until next time, Collegiettes™. This week, I’m starting the German leg of my trip – an adventure down the famous Rhine River!