Trista's flat, where we stayed for two nights, is on the western side of the city. It was outside of the usual tourist areas, just far enough to feel like a normal neighbourhood, but a short 20 minute walk to the heart of the city.
After a travel-day nap, we set out to explore during the evening of Thursday the 13th. Both Matt and Devon had been to Amsterdam and as we walked, the feel of the city -- interlocking canals and ring roads -- felt familiar. In what was planned as a one-time visit, we headed form the Leidesplan, a bright, busy plaza towards the southern edge of tourist zones.
Pedestrians definitely have the right-of-way in this city. Even the electric trolleys stop and clang their bells at wayward walkers, rather than try to push on through. This is great when walking around aimlessly, but it can be maddening when trying to ride somewhere. Leidesplan was a hive of tourists. It might be something like the Times Square of Amsterdam -- it's doubtful that any local would want to visit.
Rather than hit the bars, young and carefree travellers like Matt and Devon found our way to one of a bajillion coffee shops. Our first stop was to the Bulldog, a large multi-story trap of the plaza.
It was dark, loud, and kinda gross. We did not linger.
Just around the corner, though, there was a charming little spot right next to a canal. (To be fair, approx. 30% of all buildings at city center are next to a canal.) This shop, called Easy Times (so many names are hokey and obvious), was clean and quiet, and reminded us of the Orange County Social Club, Matt's favorite bar in Carrboro. Devon soon made friends with the man behind the bar, because she makes friends where ever she goes. We shared a space cake, which is a "special brownie", and were on our way, on the search for food.
We did not lack for options.
A few of Matt's friends may have heard about the amazing pancake place he ate at one time. Maybe too often. (Pancakes? Really? Can they be that good?) Such rave reviews; enthusiasm beyond the norms of decency and decorum.
It's now safe to say that the Pancake Corner is now one of Devon's favorite places on planet Earth. It's hard to convey how awesome this restaurant is, but suffice to say, they have over 70 different kinds. Including bacon, which Devon enjoyed. Matt has a honey and apple pancake.
Mainly because of pancakes, the Leidesplan, more than the red-light district to the north, would become the center of our Amsterdam
After pancake dinner, we paced a bit more, and decided to call it an early night. The walk back to the apartment was quite an adventure. Every canal bridge we came to elicited from Devon the comment: "Oh good. This looks familiar." Matt tried to caution that there were countless canal bridges, but it fell on deaf ears. Where there were no bridges, concern increased, and we pulled out the map, checked street signs to confirm that, yes, we were in fact going in the right direction. This reassurance was forgotten alarmingly quickly, and the cycle was repeated every 100 meters or so.
It took a while to get home.
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