Bicycles

I think everyone in Amsterdam owns/rides a bike daily. There are so many of them around that it wouldn't be impossible to get hit by more than one if you loose focus for a second. Joe and I rented bikes on the second day we were there and cruised all over Amsterdam, occasionally ringing our bells (everyone has bells too, it is essential in communicating to those who are, most likely, tourists to get out of the way. A sound Joe and I heard frequently while walking). It is actually amazing how advanced the bike lane/road system is and as Joe and I started to figure it all out, we began feeling more comfortable around the cars and people. It was actually really fun. We used the bikes to get to the dfferent places we wanted to see or the things we wanted to do, but the most fun I had on them was when we just rode around with no aggenda and were able to take in the city. When our 24 hours of bliss came to a close (24 hour bike rental), we were once again forced to walk, and today we have to lug our packs around before we jump the train to Switzerland. Walking around like that really made us appreciate the bikes but miss them even more.

When we heard this massive truck coming behind us we got right out of the way,
good thing too because if he hit us he could have been injured

Notice the layers of bike racks in the back-- biggest bike room I've ever seen

Canal Cleanup- not too high on the priority list, I guess

Amsterdam

I finally made it to Amsterdam and met up with Joe early Wednesday morning after a long day of flying. We started out walking around the city with all our stuff and then just walking  with  our day packs, which would have been fine but we soon  found there is a much better and more fun way to see the city. Bikes. There are so many bikes here... its kinda ridiculous how many there are and how many times Joe and I have almost been hit. It has been really fun to cruise around  on the bikes and take in all that we can before we leave for Switzerland tomorrow. We have been to Paradox coffeeshop, Vondelpark, the Rijksmuseum, and all around the streets on our super sweet bicycles looking at all the old buildings and interesting people. And we still have so more time here... I plan on posting pictures too so check back soon!....

....Here are those pictures:

Leaving behind the beautiful Pacific Northwest

Amsterdam Centraal (Train Station)

Streets of Amsterdam

Down the canal