I Love the Netherlands
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Cupcakes in Amsterdam? Yes! Amazing cupcakes made by Dan the Cookie Man. If you are ever in the area, you must track down this quaint little cupcake and cookie oasis for the fluffiest butter cream frosting in the world! If you read this Dan... so nice to meet you. Thanks for the great little cupcake.
Walking the streets of Amsterdam.
Cafe picture. One of about ten thousand cafes. And every cafe serves beer. And they are not kidding around in this place. People are drinking the beer by about, um, 10 a.m. I opted out of beer and went straight for the little tiny dutch apple pancakes. The best little things I have ever eaten.
Traffic Jam?
Twice a year the city shuts down one of the canals, builds a huge stage on the water, and puts on a free concert by the Amsterdam Symphony and Orchestra. We just happened to be in town on that one Saturday night. Amazing timing. All the boats jam in for an up close encounter and the rest of the concert-goers pack in the streets and sidewalks with blankets, wine, cheese, and pastries. When the music started everyone was quiet. Respectful. When the concert was over I don't think I saw any litter anywhere. And I never once felt like I might get killed by a thug. Quite the different experience than a big, free, city-wide Dallas event. It was a perfect night.
My brother-n-law Riley and his fiance Claire met us for a few days. Claire is currently serving with the Peace Corp in Ukraine, just had her first article published in the Wall Street Journal, and loves Mexican food as much as I do. I'm not sure about Riley, but Claire and I were made for each other! And yes, those are tortilla chips. And yes, we did find amazing Mexican food in Amsterdam.
Brothers.
