Amsterdam

A Student Adventure: Wandering Through Amsterdam

WHY we WENT

I was still in school and wanted to take a vacation in between semesters. The destination? Amsterdam. Why? Well, besides the allure of it being Amsterdam, a good of friend of mine was living there, so there was the added bonus of free accommodations – a student's dream come true! 

HOW LONG we STAYED

Two weeks - from the last week of April to the first week of May. 

WHO WENT

Ana and couple of friends from university.

WHERE WE WENT

Our primary destination was Amsterdam, but we couldn't resist hopping over to Bruges, Belgium, for a quick side trip. I do love a vacation within a vacation.

HOW WE DID it

Ah, those were the days of carefree exploring. Most of our time was spent wandering aimlessly, embracing spontaneity. 

Time Change

It’s a 6-hour time difference but it didn’t matter then since I could sleep as much as I wanted.

transportation

We walked and biked our way through Amsterdam's streets.

ACCOMMODATION

I lucked out with being able to stay at my friend’s place - obviously a local's perspective always enhances the travel experience.  

Our days

We shopped at markets to cook some delicious meals at home and went out for others. We biked to pubs and coffee shops, enjoyed playgrounds under the late-night sky, and lounged in parks surrounded by fresh market finds and drinks.

The Anne Frank House left a profound impact on me and we certainly did not resist the Queen's Day festivities – Amsterdam's legendary citywide celebration that, by 10 am, has the entire city drunk. 

My friends and I still reminisce fondly about that trip – our late-night laughs echoing through the streets, the canals, the interesting characters we met on Queen’s Day and that amazing Armenian feast we had while sitting on a literal rooftop.