While sitting in the lobby of the Van Gogh Youth Hostel in Brussels, Belgium, Devin and I encountered a couple of guys from San Diego named Ray and Charles, not to be confused with Ray Charles. After spending the evening hanging out on the patio, we made plans for the next morning and hit the sack.
Breakfast consisted of carbs, carbs, and more carbs: bread, cornflakes, juice, and an assortment of sugary jams and Nutella. Yuck. We locked up our bags and headed into the city in hopes of changing our negative views of Brussels. The Belgians are famous for their beer and chocolate, so I figured I couldn't go wrong with a chocolate beer. It was suprisingly good, much like a tootsie roll. I had a hankering for mussels, another specialty of the region, but the boys weren't too excited. After much debate, I finally convinced them to grab some for lunch. I wasn't suprised when they all enjoyed their meals.
Devin and I headed to Antwerp after lunch, and when we got there were amazed by the number of orthodox jews riding bicycles. Everywhere we looked there were men with long sausage curls and black top hats. We finally found our hostel and took a much needed nap. There wasn't much to look at in Antwerp, so we decided to leave the next morning. Before leaving Belgium I wanted to try the famous waffle. I got one and topped it with icecream and chocolate for dinner. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I had also read about a local "specialty" called the currywurst. Of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do as the locals do, so I ate one. Only later did I find out that it consists of pork, beef, chicken, and horse meat. It's not just "meat" though. The currywurst is actually made from brains and testicles mushed together and deep fried. I'll try anything once, but in the case of the currywurst, I might just try it again. It was actually quite good if you can get over the fact that it's made from things most people would rather not think about.
On we went to Amsterdam. On the train, a man sat down next to Devin and I. He pulled out his iPOD and speakers and blasted 90s rap, cracked open a beer, and started rolling a joint. I couldn't believe my eyes! Once we got to Amsterdam I was even more shocked. There are "coffee shops" all over the city where you can just hang out and smoke weed. Luckily, Devin's old youth pastor, Kent, lives nearby and let us crash with him. We're out of here tomorrow evening, and the train couldn't leave soon enough. I'm shocked and appalled at this city.
This afternoon we took a trip to a nearby traditional Dutch town. There is a cocoa mill nearby, and the air smells like chocolate. Yummy! We saw lots of windmills too. After a demonstration of how wooden shoes are made, I tried on a pair. They were just as I expected: as uncomfortable as they are ugly. We tried many types of cheese and panakooks, or traditional Dutch pancakes, for lunch.
I'm pretty sure that my bladder has grown to twice its normal size. Apparently, there is a shortage of water and public restrooms in Europe. You have to pay to use the toilet, and water is never free. We've gotten really good at filling up our camelbaks in hostel showers and holding it all day. It's probably not healthy, but at least it's cheap.
I'm off to bed. One more night of plush comfort before more cheap hostels and trains. The restless life of a nomad is starting to take its toll...
