Bored Women and Awkward Exchanges

November 10th--Although Antwerp was fantastic, it was already time to head to Amsterdam.

At the train station, I realized I didn't have a picture of Alex and I yet, so we took one. This is for all of you reading who know both of us, and maybe for the one or two people reading who knew us when we met 7 years ago and had no idea we'd end up hanging out in Belgium...

The trip to Amsterdam wasn't bad (2.5 hours), and I checked into my hostel. First I had to write the Antwerp update, but after 45 minutes in the pricey internet cafe it erased all my progress, so I moodily slunk out to see the town.

Amsterdam was a bit of a weird experience for me, so this day's entry will be short. It was my first time since the first night of the trip that I wasn't meeting up with anyone, and all I could see around me were groups of people (mostly English and Australian) partying together.

I checked out a coffeeshop and wandered down to the Red Light District, which was surprisingly underwhelming. In fact, the same district in Montmartre in Paris was much more exciting and involving. The women just looked kind of bored and businesslike.

I did, however, have probably the most awkward drug-offer exchange in the history of the planet.

British Drug Dealer: Hey, you want some drugs?

Our Awkward, Deaf Hero: What?

BDD: You want some drugs?

OADH: Uh...what?

BDD: (louder, slower) Drugs. Ecstasy, coke?

OADH: (moving much closer to him to hear) I'm sorry. What?

BDD: (rolling eyes) You want drugs? Ecstasy, coke, party?

OADH: Oh! Oh, no, no, I'm ok. Thanks.

Sorry to disappoint from the adventure standpoint. I guess you rarely get what you expect from a place.