Its hard to find the internet, and keyboards that make sense.

The title is the reason I havent posted. I cant find the apostrophes. Please Mom, forgive me!

So. Amsterdam.
It was lovely, and something a bit more robust than quaint. My ye olde Dutch blood was tickled with delight upon arriving. Ive eaten many a pastry.

The first day I bought a year long pass to check out many museums for free. This came in quite handy. I saw Rembrandts old house, refurnished according to a list of his possessions. I also poked my head into the Dutch Resistance Museum. And by poked I mean I was in there for three hours. I was fascinated by a presentation of three very special ladies in the socialist resistance. Two of them survived, the other was captured and executed-murdered. Her name was Hannie.

The story was stunning, but Ill have to write it a better time. After that, I was pooped. For some reason, I always walk way too far on my first day in a city.

The next day we walked down the red light district, and visiting coffee shops. Thats all I have to say about that.

The lovely thing about Edinburgh, Amsterdam and Berlin is the access to free tours. Theyre three hours long, and they give you a rundown of the history, and very interesting facts about architecture and folklore.

The highlight of the trip, was obviously the Anne Frank Huis. It was almost a culmimnation, but not a closure, of everything that Ive read about her, by her. It was so wonderful. It such a peaceful, poingnant space. I think she has managed to invoke such a patriotism around her, so many people think about her and love her, that she may be unique in having found a certain kind of peace... more so than any of the other murdered people. I think that was most shocking. That it wasnt a panicked experience, or a stressful experience. Shes managed to leave a very distinct, youthful, joyous identity behind. So I think in her case especially...the Nazis were abysmal failures.

After the Anne Frank Museum I hit up the Vangogh Museum, the Foam Photography Museum and this random 17th C house with a church in the attic. What I love about Museum cards is that you arent guilted into staring at things you dont care about. You can go, and then you can leave without worries. Likewise, you can go again.

I have good hostel stories...specifically how we got roped into a Bible Discussion (they bribed us with free food and told us we were going to play a game)...but I wont elaborate incase we have some sensitive Betties reading this.

Then I took a stressful train ride to Berlin. The train ride. Well - that area of Europe is flat, so it reminded me of home, and I said -No wonder the Dutch settled in crummy old Alvinston - but they had windmills. So the original Dutch win.
The train ride was stressful when I had to make a connection, and all the directions were in German. I was told one platform, but it was changed to another. Luckily two older Berliner ladies took care of me. THEN, when the connection (1 hour late) finally arrived, this nasally lady would announce things for 10 minutes (seriously) in German and then say - We have reached Hannover. Goodbye. WTF??? (What The F#ck)

I arrived in the black night of Berlin. I scored a bus ticket through mime, and found my way to my hostel for a good nights sleep.

I LOVE Berlin.
And Ill tell you why later.
LOVE LOVE LOVE Berlin.

My internet time is up! Tomorrow Im off to Warsaw Poland. But the hostel has free internet.

Toodle oo!!!