Amsterdam, The Netherlands – 07/06 – 07/08

(Michelle) We came back so we could spend the weekend with Nadirah and Nathan. It also happens to be Nadirah’s birthday this Saturday, so we went out to a nice dinner at an Italian restaurant where they sing from table to table. The food was good and we ate a lot. We then drove about 30 minutes out of town to a beach party where we joined some of Nadirah’s co-workers who were dancing the night away to some techno dance jams. The beach bar looked like your average beach party place inside and out, but the only thing that was different from other clubs I’ve seen was that Jesus was watching over the dance floor. I didn’t get a chance to ask any locals as to the meaning (not that there is anything wrong with it), but I’m guessing it was either to remind people to behave, or perhaps it was a statement that Jesus also likes a good dance jam.
On Sunday, they drove us to see the windmills, wooden shoes and cheese. TJ thoroughly analyzed the inner workings of the windmill, so hopefully he can build one for us at the cabin when we return. The cheese we bought was very tasty!
Nadirah and Nathan graciously offered us a place to stay longer so we could look into getting our Russian visas while we were there. We began making some calls and it soon became apparent that it would not be so easy.

(TJ) I spent three weeks in Amsterdam.

But, not in that way.

Yes, the windmill was very intriguing and I could definitely see the connection between a sailing ship and the windmill. The interior was wide open and you could see the main drive shaft and all the gears spinning. As I was examining the gears of the windmill I could only think of how many tourists have had their hands or fingers crushed in the massive gears and cogs on the interior of the mill. I’m just saying it was wide open and you could easily catch some clothing or a hand.