Peach Basket Catch-Me-Up

For anyone who didn't catch the reference in tonight's post title, I urge you to watch/rewatch "New Girl" episode "The Normal" from season 1 (it's the one with True American, and therefore worth your while).

Tonight's post title also has practicality in it. It's time for a massive catchup! I'm a week behind!

Last Thursday, I finished my Jewish Quarter walk in the morning by visiting the Jewish Historical Museum. The JHM was housed in a former synagogue, and the first floor exhibit detailed the history of Jews in Holland from 1900-present. Each section of the exhibit included a brief summary inscribed on the outside wall of the floor, a display of pertinent artifacts and sometimes art in the middle of the room, and in the corridor created between the two, each section had its own little touchscreen where you could watch interviews with people whose lives had been effected by the given section of history. It was sweet.

After the JHM I was supposed to meet Lisa outside her class so we could explore the flower market together. I suppose you could say I did this. But it sure didn't happen in a timely manner. After assuring Lisa in the morning that I knew where I was going that morning, I went and got myself epically lost among the streets, canals and bridges of Amsterdam. Every corner looks the same!!! And of course without wifi, I couldn't let Lisa know I was lost/late. It sucked big time. I was so mad at myself.

The great thing about being in the same city as your bestie is that she can make days like this better, and quite make you forget what a fool you felt like mere moments earlier. We bought Gerber daisies to brighten our collective day from a cute Dutch man named Bean. Across from the floor market were several cheese shops from which we pilfered many samples of cheese. The ladies who work in the cheese shops wear funny hats. That also made my day better. There was a "Christmas Palace" store. That also made my day better.

Bloemenbar

That night, Lisa, Jenny and I went out for dinner together at a swanky place in Rembrantplein and then met Lisa's classmates at "Bloemenbar" for drinks. It was a cool little place, with hipster vintagey decor. The night ended with my tragic discovery of carbonated iced tea. Ew.

Friday was a very chill day, as I was sadly feeling somewhat fluey. Lisa and I did hit up the flea market though, and I nabbed some good deals on jewels. That evening, Lisa and I headed into Utrecht for a girly night with Carmen and her roommate Alicija. We watched trashy shows like "Dr. Phil" and "16 and Pregnant", and ate chips and chocolate. It was awesome.

Utrecht

The next day, Saturday, we saw the highlights of Utrecht, which included a sweet old church split in two parts due to a olden times hurricane. I was also introduced to the magic that is Sascha. The Dutch shoe store that has single handedly convinced me I need to buy another suitcase to bring home. I died.

That night we headed back to Lisa's dorm for pre drinking before the ADE show. Jenny introduced us to Irish Poker, and I brought the "Captain Asshole" rule into play for King's Cup (imagine that. ME contributing something new and fun to a drinking game!).

ADE at Melkweg

Me, Lis and Carmen caught a cab to Leidseplein around 1:30, and met up at Melkweg with Jenny and Frank who had biked. The "Amsterdam Dance Event" taking place there that night was something else. Quintessentially Amsterdam, I think it's fair to say. Sweaty, drunk, dirty and dancing til 5am pretty much sums up the night. Oh. And Beatz. Sweaty, drunk, dirty, dancing beatz.

Sunday morning we made an amazing brunch. Hashbrowns, scrambles eggs, pancakes, croissants, fried tomatoes, baked beans, bacon. Cheese and maple syrup on everything. Killer.

That's it for now folks. Stay tuned for tales of my last day in Amsterdam (round one) and of my days in Denmark!