Mastering Amsterdam

So we have been here for two days now and have pretty much walked down every street there is in Amsterdam! It is really interesting if you look at a map, all the streets are curved, not straight and go around the canals, so it is easy to get lost and you can't even try to pronounce the names, but we have gotten really familiar with the monuments!
After dodging all the business workers on their bikes (it is pretty insane) we kicked off our morning with a wonderful little one woman run pancake house, which means crepes... mmmmm! Luckily it didn't rain today so we got adventure some more and try new spots. We walked more and than souvenir shopped, typical tourists!!! We than explored the great Vondel Park, it is so big and really beautiful.
Than the Heineken Experience, which surprising was quite fun, little long, but the best part was included in your ticket price was two and a half beers, feeling pretty good after that!
We were than off to the Anne Frank House, it took a few turns to find, but felt great to walk to the front of the line with our online tickets; most of the people waiting in line couldn't even make it in! It was a pretty amazing experience to see it, so much in such a little space and so much history to go behind all of it. Sobered us up, but was great!
After crawling to a little Irish Pub (because our feet were killing by this time), we had some great food and made our way back to the room. Only 1040pm, still light out, but tired! We might hit the bar in our hotel.
Tomorrow we are off to Delft were they make the blue and white pottery.
Thanks for following!!! P.s. We miss our Burton, lots of doggies here and they can go inside everywhere!

Pictures

So we finally found a computer in a "coffee" shop that we can upload pictures in, have so many more to day. But here is a nice sample for you. No comedy show tonight, it was political and doesn't sound like much comedy to me. So instead we found the redlight district quite intersting :)
Be back tomorrow!

Actual Pictures

We arrived

So we arrived in Amsterdam... well it looks like, but doesn't feel like it! Its raining, harder than it does back home!!!! But the city looks so neat.
The plane ride was hell, oh man 5 hours to Philly, than barely eat and off for the big 8 hour flight which they said they did in 7, but sure felt like 13 hours!
We explored the town, walking quite a distance with our back packs, sore shoulders, but well worth it!
Had some very american lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe in Amsterdam! Now time for a little nap, only 1pm here, but that is 4am back home! We would love to call everyone, but don't want to wake everyone up!!
Going to a comedy spot tonight than some pub crawls, I'm sure it will be a blast.
P.S. the computer I'm using in the hotel and I can't load photos, but we will go to a internet cafe and load up some, great ones so far!
Miss you all!!!

One Quart size?

So I have always be an over packer, I'm sure I got that one from my mom (has to have 3 outfits a day, just in case!) Once I heard the concept: If you aren't going to wear it three times don't bring it, three times? I guess that includes all of my just in case items. So after I went over my stacks of clothes I thought I needed and reread my Rick Steves packing list, I slowing weeded out the not really needed items. It was actually easier than I thought packing in bag that I have to carry on my back.
15 days... backpacking.... I have to carry it all?..... We can't check?...... How many liquids can I bring?
Oh ya they all ran across my mind a few times. But stretching that quart size bag was never easier.. after a little nagging from Dennis we brought it down to a manageable amount!
I can wear my bag and still have room for shopping! Now that is what I'm talking about.
Although mine is about 20 pounds lighter than Dennis' I have everything I need. He had to prepare for the just in case... "I can only bring one carton of cigarettes?" and me refusing to carry his "I might need a second carton" I'm sure he will be just fine. He did bring his power bars and jerky, just in case he can't find anything to eat!
We will see how much out the box (Or bar) he will go.
Night for now!

Blogging at first sight

Well hello there! Let me introduce myself. I'm Crystal and along with my husband Dennis we started a blog to make one easy place to update our friends and family while we are traveling. I'm pretty sure this will be an adventure on its own!!!

Our first place of travel will be Europe.... 15 days! That would be only 7 days away.. yes I am counting down! We are going with two great friends of ours Matt and Karen Van Wely, can't wait to travel the world with them!!!
Our bags are packed and ready to go! I'm pretty sure I will get back on here before we leave and write about the experience too!
Okay I'm off and running, but check back in soon!