Amsterdam (with the same color codings as Paris)

Shannon and I expected a bit of revelry when we reached Amsterdam, but we weren't prepared for the completely crazed manner in which Queen's Day was celebrated. An odor unlike anything we have ever experienced, Queen's Day's unique smell consisted of fair food, urine, beer, and pot. Quite a delectable quartet. As we ventured outside our hotel, we were greeted by great throngs of people all wearing orange (why orange? We have yet to figure that out.) It was like a mixture of the State Fair and Mifflin on steroids. Seriously, the whole city was out and drunk by 10 am. I have never seen nor smelled so much pot in my life. It was truly an experience. After a few hours of this, Shannon and I escaped to the hushed and reverent quiet of Anne Frank's House where we explored the secret attic in which she and her family lived for 2 years. It was a truly touching moment as we walked on the floorboards she had once trod upon and gazed at the posters of film stars with which she had decorated her room. Perhaps the most moving moment was when we came across the markings Otto Frank had made to measure the children's growth. This more than anything made Anne's story real as her physicality was literally brought to life. Also of intrigue were her perfectly preserved diaries as well as an emotional video of Otto as he spoke of reading Anne's diary for the first time. It was absolutely heartbreaking. I can't imagine how that man found the will to live after losing his family and experiencing the brutality of Auschwitz. Thank God he did have the strength to carry on as it is due to him that Anne's house is open to the public and her diaries are published.

Here I am talking about art again. Museum going was much more tempting as it has been rainy and cold. So we also went to the Van Gogh museum. Alas, there was no student discount and after failing to convince the stern ticket lady that Lauren was 17 (and thereby gaining free admission), we heaved over the 14 Euros each and went in. It was a beautiful collection that included many artworks of Van Gogh's influences as well as many of his own paintings. Our favorites were his paintings that had been inspired by Japanese prints, but used his own signature bright colors. Lauren had to drag me from the gift shop.

After the Van Gogh museum, we wandered down to the Red Light District. Surreal would not even begin to cover the phenomenom that is legal prostitution. Women in windows clad in nothing but their underwear beckoned to ogling passersby soliciting their services. After two minutes of this, I felt dirty and needed to leave that area (I was laughing at her the entire time). While sex shoved at me in a blatant manner is not my style, I can't help but support legal prostitution as it creates safer working conditions for the girls.

I am now dragging Lauren to her first ever Hard Rock Cafe experience. See you in Roma!

Lauren and Shannon