I Amsterdam

               I met "Vanno" during our job training in Mysore and it had been like instant chemistry. Since then she is a dear friend whom I can rely on. She was on her onsite assignment at neighboring country Amsterdam. It was a 4 hour drive to Amsterdam by train.
              I was travelling with some guy friends. It had been strictly decided that after visiting Madam Tussaud  I would go my way and they would go theirs. The legalized prostitution capital of Europe and the city where you get the much talked about hash muffins and weed. For me it was a weekend break from the alone time much needed girls talk.
           We split after lunch and I went off with Vanno. We took a boat ride along the famous canals. I remember Vanno dozing off half way through the ride. It was the third time she was taking the ride since her stay there and it was a little too much for her to handle. We took a walk along the city markets and went shop hopping for mementos and local stuff.
           Every shop that you stopped at had a separate section. It took us a few minutes to realize that it was the section with all the kinky stuff. If you have watched Queen movie recently you would exactly know what I mean.Coming from a country where sex word is still a taboo in public it was a cultural shocker for us. What I still remember was that we had many good laughs.
        Holland is also a cyclists paradise. The separate cycle lanes are something some countries can't dream of having. There are these thousands of cycles parked along the canal ways.

The hat looks akward but check out the wooden shoes !

            The next day we  planned a visit to the countryside. A bus ride to "Vollendam" a fishing village and "Zaanse Schans" the wind mill village. Both the places are a pictorial delight. Enjoyed the sun and the lazing around the water in Vollendam. Also managed to dress up in the local Hollandish costume and get some pictures taken. I think the short hair and the costume just were a misfit ! Sharing some pictures.

Vollendam - Fishing village

The water was amazingly calm

Group picture taken at Vollendam

Zaanse Schans

           Some amazing moments and some heart to heart talk made this trip memorable.This was just the first of many more trips to Amsterdam. I would be shutting between these two towns for company and discover a new aspect about the place each time. I would later visit the much talked about tulip gardens and fulfill my dream of cycling in Holland.