We're here! We're here!

 After months of planning, talking, and dreaming about going to Europe it’s FINALLY here!  We flew into Amsterdam and didn’t waste anytime.  We had 15 hours straight of sightseeing today. The buildings here are so tall and narrow.  They’re stacked side by side with several in a row. There are canals that run in between most streets.  It’s so pretty to see water running between the roads with boats on them. 

In Amsterdam we went to the Van Gough Museum.  He’s my favorite artist to see his work in person.  I love his thick, colorful brush strokes.  It was three full stories of his artwork.  We also went on a river cruise and a cheese tasting store.  The cheese was delicious! 

There are bikes EVERYWHERE here.  Thousands and thousands of them I tell you.  They’re all crazy drivers and don’t care about pedestrians.  I was almost ran over by several of them today.  Pretty sure I got sworn at several times.  It's a good thing I don't understand Dutch.  Then there are trams that ride way too close for comfort next to the sidewalks.  The trains, trams, and bikes are crossing every which way. I'd be surprised if tomorrow I don't get run over by one of them.  We all had close calls today almost being taken down by a biker.  Hopefully we can make it safe tomorrow.  Cross your fingers for us that we’ll make it out alive :)

Highlight:

-Being with six girls in a bakery ordering desserts. I love all the girls on this trip.  We’re all laughing so much and having so much fun.   Everyone probably thinks we’re drunk because we’re always laughing. 

-Eating a waffle with a sugar coating and nutella without an ounce of guilt. 

Lowlight:

-I am so tired.  I’ve slept less than five hours in the last 54 hours.  I need my beauty sleep.  My extreme exhaustion didn’t hit until we sit down.  I was a goner on the river cruise.  Whenever I blinked my eyes it was a struggle to open them up again.  Hopefully I’ll get lots of sleep tonight! 

-I can't figure out how to change my blog site to English.  It's all in Dutch.   This makes things very complicated. 

Distance walked:

12.08 miles...that's almost a half marathon! 

 (I bought an accurate pedometer.  I made sure to test it on  a treadmill before to make sure it works and it did!)

Cheese with a baguette for lunch

So pretty!

 

Oh how I've missed European bakeries 

Tall building with canals.  Just like I told you.