More To Adore In Amsterdam:
We spent the occasion with close friends, biked thru the night from the Artis (zoo) to the Hortis Botanical Garden, Amsterdam Hermitage, and last the Willet-Holthuysen museum (canal house museum). We had to purchase bonen (tickets for snacks and drinks). Each museum had yummy finger foods and seasonal drinks - one being Gluhwein. Gluhwein is a popular winter German beverage made with red wine, mixed with fruit, cinnamon and cloves and served warm - so good!!!
It's funny seeing all the folks bundled up on their bikes. The weather really changed over the last few weeks. I now where a sweater, thick winter coat, scarf, hat, gloves and earmuffs.....and it is only November! Indy even sleeps with a blanket!
Squatting (the once-respected Dutch tradition) has officially become illegal. Individuals who choose to squat in an abandoned building, if caught, may serve up to one year in prison. Squatters took it out on the streets by rioting, throwing rocks at the Politie and prevented innocent bystanders from access to several canal bridges. A study published this year estimated the number of squatters at roughly 1,500 in the Dutch capitol. The plan is to gradually empty the city of its remaining squats. Before, if a building owner left their place vacant for more than a year, a squatter can claim the property as their own, even if they don't pay taxes, rent, etc. Any issues argued by owners and squatters was considered a civil issue and the government had no involvement. Now building owners are asked to at least create low income housing, versus leaving their place vacant. Squatting originated during World War II, during a time of severe housing shortages and anger at real estate speculators. So in 1971 the Supreme Court found that entering an unused building is not trespassing. The thinking was that it was humane not to evict the homeless people living in a building that was not being used. We actually met someone who spent a year in the hospital after she had a stroke, only to come back to a home that was squatted, and therefore, taken from her. This city is pretty ridiculous sometimes.
A few Saturday's ago all of Amsterdam museums stayed open until 2am for the Annual Museum Nacht (Night). Apart from seeing the collections and temporary exhibitions, there was plenty to see and do.
Squatting (the once-respected Dutch tradition) has officially become illegal. Individuals who choose to squat in an abandoned building, if caught, may serve up to one year in prison. Squatters took it out on the streets by rioting, throwing rocks at the Politie and prevented innocent bystanders from access to several canal bridges. A study published this year estimated the number of squatters at roughly 1,500 in the Dutch capitol. The plan is to gradually empty the city of its remaining squats. Before, if a building owner left their place vacant for more than a year, a squatter can claim the property as their own, even if they don't pay taxes, rent, etc. Any issues argued by owners and squatters was considered a civil issue and the government had no involvement. Now building owners are asked to at least create low income housing, versus leaving their place vacant. Squatting originated during World War II, during a time of severe housing shortages and anger at real estate speculators. So in 1971 the Supreme Court found that entering an unused building is not trespassing. The thinking was that it was humane not to evict the homeless people living in a building that was not being used. We actually met someone who spent a year in the hospital after she had a stroke, only to come back to a home that was squatted, and therefore, taken from her. This city is pretty ridiculous sometimes.
We spent the occasion with close friends, biked thru the night from the Artis (zoo) to the Hortis Botanical Garden, Amsterdam Hermitage, and last the Willet-Holthuysen museum (canal house museum). We had to purchase bonen (tickets for snacks and drinks). Each museum had yummy finger foods and seasonal drinks - one being Gluhwein. Gluhwein is a popular winter German beverage made with red wine, mixed with fruit, cinnamon and cloves and served warm - so good!!!
It's really interesting to see how this country prepares for the holidays. So far we have noticed stands that sell traditional dutch pastries called oliebollen. It literally means oil balls and are usually eaten on New Years Eve and at fairs. It is mainly fried dough covered in powdered sugar and some have a creamy filling! The stands also serve hot beverages, spiced drinks to cocoa. I love the cocoa here, they give you warm milk and chocolate chips to stir in!!!
Lights are already up and the Christmas spirit is in the air.
On Thursday November 11th, Amsterdam celebrated Sint Maarten day (Saint Martin). This is a Dutch tradition of children going from door to door with lampoons with lights in them, singing a Sint Maarten song while asking for candy! Sint Maarten is from Hungary and was famous for sharing his warm coat with a beggar in France while serving the army. Sint Maarten represents celebrating generosity.
Lights are already up and the Christmas spirit is in the air.
On Thursday November 11th, Amsterdam celebrated Sint Maarten day (Saint Martin). This is a Dutch tradition of children going from door to door with lampoons with lights in them, singing a Sint Maarten song while asking for candy! Sint Maarten is from Hungary and was famous for sharing his warm coat with a beggar in France while serving the army. Sint Maarten represents celebrating generosity.
Recently Kirk and I spent a intense 36 hours in Stockholm. We checked in to our lovely hotel, and immediately hit the pavement and saw the Royal Palace, before heading to the little island Gamla Stan.
Gamla Stan is adorable and covered in shops, cafes and tourists. It reminds me of the narrow alleys in Rome, cobblestone roads in Paris, and beautiful bright structures in San Sebastian. We continued to walk around, snack on "Swedish" fish and soak in the surroundings!
We headed south of the center to the next island called Sodermalm. The main street is Gotgaten, which has plenty of cool shops, nice bars and restaurants. Our Swedish friend recommended a creperie called Fyra Knop. It was really sweet, charming and very good. I had a BLT equivalent crepe, while Kirk ate a crepe with cheese, ham, mushrooms, and a fried egg. Tasty!!!!
We headed south of the center to the next island called Sodermalm. The main street is Gotgaten, which has plenty of cool shops, nice bars and restaurants. Our Swedish friend recommended a creperie called Fyra Knop. It was really sweet, charming and very good. I had a BLT equivalent crepe, while Kirk ate a crepe with cheese, ham, mushrooms, and a fried egg. Tasty!!!!
Interesting Stockholm Sightings:
Guy on a segway handing out carmelized almonds
Asked a guy if he wouldn’t mind taking our picture and he said “No”
H and M is everywhere, it’s like Starbucks in Seattle, literally on every conrner. Stockholm is the home to the main Headquarters
We noticed a ton of 7 Eleven’s. A little taste of home!
I made Kirk take me to the Skyview which is a huge dome about 20 stories high and you ride up to the top. We arrived and found the place to be a bit too touristy and pointless. On our way out of the tourist trap we noticed a ton of locals wearing white and green, yelling out songs and drinking. It was definitely game time and we were right in the heart of it! It was Hammarby (Stockholm team) vs Helsingborg (another team from Sweden). This was no ordinary game, but in fact the Svenska Cup Final. Kirk scalped some awesome tickets, finally my first futbol game!
The crowd was wild and full of energy. Not a dull moment as fans triggered flares, fireworks and smoke bombs! We stood on our seats cheering and chanting with all the fans, trying to blend in all the madness!
After the game we had every intention of heading to Prinsen, an awesome Swedish restaurant that serves mass quantities resulting in food coma, but our long day of exploring caught up with us. We instead opted for the Club bar at the hotel and had free drinks, chicken wings, cheese, crackers, and bbq ribs.
I have to point out earlier that day Kirk brought up that he saw this story online about 10 unique coinicidences. One story he brought up was about a man and his daughter, their relationship was estranged, and having no clue of his daughter’s whereabouts and situation, the father decided that he would post a picture of his family from a recent trip, place it in paper in hopes that his long lost daughter will come across this picture and will reach out to the family. Well she spotted the picture and contacted her father. The coincidence is not that the daughter happened to have been skimming thru the daily paper, but in fact that the picture that her father submitted actually had her in it…..she stood in the background…..they were at the same place, same day, same time, feet away from eachother, same picture.
Around 4am our hotel room door opened and slammed. Someone sat on my bed (we had 2 beds). I asked Kirk what was going on and when I heard his voice coming from my side and not from the foot of my bed, that is when I knew someone else was in the room. Kirk said he wasn't sure if he was dreaming, but definitely saw a silouhette of someone sitting on my bed. The woman started to talk and I started to kick her as hard as I could. She then made her way over to our light between us and was trying to turn it on. She then walked around the corner. Kirk turned on the tv since we were unable to turn on our lights and found the woman in the closet. I looked around the corner to see Kirk holding a robe and asked the woman repeatedly to come out of our closet and put the robe on. This is when I noticed she was naked. She then said she needed to go to the bathroom, we let her go, but Kirk noticed she already peed on my bed and the floor. She came out of the bathroom, still refusing to put on the robe, all she wanted to do was go to bed. Eventually I just let her get in Kirk's bed, since it meant we can call security and not have to look at her naked ass. Security showed up and they escorted her out of our room after I helped her put her robe on and assure her that she was going to be ok, since she was visibly upset. The manager made both our beds, wiped the pee off the floor and offered us late check-out and breakfast, and that at check-out, asked that we talk to the manager then and they will handle this matter.
Around 4am our hotel room door opened and slammed. Someone sat on my bed (we had 2 beds). I asked Kirk what was going on and when I heard his voice coming from my side and not from the foot of my bed, that is when I knew someone else was in the room. Kirk said he wasn't sure if he was dreaming, but definitely saw a silouhette of someone sitting on my bed. The woman started to talk and I started to kick her as hard as I could. She then made her way over to our light between us and was trying to turn it on. She then walked around the corner. Kirk turned on the tv since we were unable to turn on our lights and found the woman in the closet. I looked around the corner to see Kirk holding a robe and asked the woman repeatedly to come out of our closet and put the robe on. This is when I noticed she was naked. She then said she needed to go to the bathroom, we let her go, but Kirk noticed she already peed on my bed and the floor. She came out of the bathroom, still refusing to put on the robe, all she wanted to do was go to bed. Eventually I just let her get in Kirk's bed, since it meant we can call security and not have to look at her naked ass. Security showed up and they escorted her out of our room after I helped her put her robe on and assure her that she was going to be ok, since she was visibly upset. The manager made both our beds, wiped the pee off the floor and offered us late check-out and breakfast, and that at check-out, asked that we talk to the manager then and they will handle this matter.
Now I know our story is far from the top 10 of crazy coincidences, but I can’t help think how funny it is that since our door had a faulty latch and this woman (buck naked) at 4am decided that room 717 was her room (719), we ended up with a very interesting story to share with you!
The next, morning, still in shock, we headed down to the café for a free breakfast! Afterwards we made our way to the middle island Djurgarden. This island has a fantastic scenery and contains many museums, the zoo, and beautiful trails and parks! We went to the Vasa Museum! In August 1628, the Vasa set sail on her maiden voyage and sank in the Stockholm harbor. The wreck was salvaged in 1961 after 333 years under the sea and now sits in the museum for all of us to enjoy! The ship was spectacular and massive.
The detail was beautiful and her story is really interesting. The King of Sweden ordered the ship to be built since it was needed for war (with Poland). It took the Dutch engineer and builders 2 years to complete the ship. The engineer and the captain knew the ship wasn't ready, but the King insisted they sail immediately. The ship sailed out and 20 minutes later sunk. Unfortunately, the Vasa didn't have enough weight in the bottom and too much weight on the top. So with a strong wind, she swayed back and forth, the water poured into the boat and she sank like a rock. If the ship made it any further into the salty waters of the Baltic Sea, she would of been destroyed by wood worms. The harbor fortunately was not salty enough, therefore did not have wood worms. The Vasa is the only ship from her time preserved and is 95% original.
The detail was beautiful and her story is really interesting. The King of Sweden ordered the ship to be built since it was needed for war (with Poland). It took the Dutch engineer and builders 2 years to complete the ship. The engineer and the captain knew the ship wasn't ready, but the King insisted they sail immediately. The ship sailed out and 20 minutes later sunk. Unfortunately, the Vasa didn't have enough weight in the bottom and too much weight on the top. So with a strong wind, she swayed back and forth, the water poured into the boat and she sank like a rock. If the ship made it any further into the salty waters of the Baltic Sea, she would of been destroyed by wood worms. The harbor fortunately was not salty enough, therefore did not have wood worms. The Vasa is the only ship from her time preserved and is 95% original.
After Vasa, we made our way back to the hotel for the much anticipated check-out. Check-out didn't go as planned, the manager apologized for the incident, pointed out that he gave us free brunch and free late check-out, and then insulted us with a "is there anything else I can help you with?". Kirk came back with "Well, actually we were hoping to be fully compensated for the break-in and woman peeing on my wife's bed." The manager provided us with a contact since he did not have authorization to help us with our little situation. Luckily the GM caught wind of our story, had his assistant call Kirk, apologized, offered our money back and gave us points towards our next stay! Now we have a free night at the W in Barcelona! I would have to say I will never forget Stockholm, the good, the bad and the naked.
