Amazing Amsterdam!

From last Thursday up until yesterday (Sunday), I had the opportunity to train my way up to Amsterdam to meet three of my closest friends from Santa Clara who are also studying abroad.  The trip exceeded my expectations.  I knew of course that Amsterdam would be unlike any other city that I had been to, but I feel like I really got to experience a lot while I was there.  My friends and I actually stayed right outside of Amsterdam in Leiden, a small college town in the outskirts of Amsterdam.  I must say, the absolute highlight of my trip was the Anne Frank house.  Unfortunately they did not allow for any photos to be taken, but I certainly snapped a lot of other great shots around this gorgeous city.  Another highlight, of course, was being able to see my friends (who are studying abroad in London and Rome) who I was so used to seeing nearly everyday back at Santa Clara.  Without them, my experience would have not been nearly as much fun, I am sure, and I would not have had nearly as many laughs. 

I think pictures speak for themselves so I'll post some shots that sum up my weekend in Amsterdam, for the most part.

Hey, what street do you live on?
We came to realize the Dutch language has really, really long words.

Everyone owns a bike in Leiden/Amsterdam

Really, everyone.

It's hard to tell here, but most of the buildings along streets and canals lean inward!

My friend Joe in a giant wooden clog.

Windmill in Leiden.

Highlight of the trip. In my mind,
everyone should have this museum on their bucket list.

Van Gogh museum.




Largest floating Asian restaurant in Europe.
It was huge!

 


NEMO, Amsterdam's Science Center.







Amsterdam's architecture museum, that was unfortunately closed :(





Another view of the architecture museum.





View of the city from the top of the NEMO.



Another view of the city from the top of the NEMO.





I amsterdam overcrowded with tourists

 



My initials!




How much for that house??









One of the over 2500 house boats in Amsterdam. 





Friends Visit Lille and Never Want to Leave (Obviously!)



Visiting Bruges with Friends Studying in Rome



The past extended weekend was SO much fun!  I was lucky enough to have friends from home come to visit me in Lille and I cannot put into words how great it was to spend time with them.  They were the taste of home that I really needed!  First, my friend that I went to high school with who is currently studying abroad in London made a train over to spend the day with me on Thursday and stay the night Friday night.  While it was short and quick, it was enough time for me to show her the pretty areas in Lille (not enough time for all of them, of course), get some really good food, and catch up.  I was able to show her the bar next to my school that everyone from my school goes to after class to grab some fries and a beer or just meet up with friends.  We had a phenomenal time and had lots of laughs.  After my high school friend left Friday morning, my friend from Santa Clara and her friend who are both studying abroad in Rome came to visit me Friday afternoon and they were both able to stay until Sunday morning.  While figuring out the transportation for them throughout the trip was not nearly as simple as it was for my friend in London, they were still able to make it to Lille safe and sound.  They were amazed by Lille and they made me remember my first few days in Lille. 

I'm a Great Tour Guide :)

The city is still amazing to me, but seeing their faces light up every time we turned on a new street made me realize really how lucky I am to be studying in this city.  Not only that, but I was able to intoduce them to my close French friends here that go to my university and they were really thankful to have had that experience.  I myself am so happy I have met some of the nicest locals and plan to keep in touch with them all long after I leave.  My friends from Rome also wanted to go to the Venice of the north - Bruges, of course.  Although I had already been, the city amazed me the first time and I jumped at the opportunity to go back.  Because I had my map from last time and remembered some tid bits from our tour, I was able to be a little tour guide of sorts and point out some interesting facts about the city.  If anyone is looking to come to Bruges, I'd love to be your tour guide :)

Off to class, I'll update again soon!



Back in Bruges and Loving it