Back to food!
This is my lunch in Barney's Uptown.
There are a couple of Barney's in the 'Dam. I swung by one on my way to checking in, to buy a muffin. It was close to my hotel and I knew I'd soon be safe and sound. I ate half, giggled a bit, then slept for 3 hours. I figure this was the journey rather than the cake though. I certainly had stronger ones later.

Barney's Uptown is not a coffeeshop, although there are Barney's coffeeshops, but describes itself as "smoker-friendly". It is certainly scoffage-friendly. The table of four American (maybe Canadian?) 20-somethings next to me were skinning up. I was being conservative and didn't. They probably left a tip though (tips are not expected in Amsterdam - rounding up any change to the nearest Euro is considered decent. They have a good minimum wage).

And then the Bitterballen. Not great. Maybe one or two, but not a whole plateful. Just too much and no variety to interest the palate. I had these for lunch on the day I left. Maybe my mood didn't help - I had two heavy bags with me. But I wouldn't recommend them, except to maybe a group of four, who would probably enjoy the amount they had. They came with mustard (as did the burger above) but it wasn't enough to make them interesting. Again, the place was a canalside bar and I was welcomed like a long-lost sister. Actually forget the long-lost - the barmaid was far happier to see me than my sister ever is. I was her first tourist of the day apparently.

Note in photo - my purse (wallet? change purse?) from Kitsch Kitchen. My book - I only took the Stephen King out with me and therefore it took me six days to read. And tulip bulbs in the plastic bag on the table.

...OMG! ...Sundae!!!!!!!!


You went to a sex club??????????

Back to sightseeing.
Here is the Westerkerk. I did not do it justice. It looms over all the streets in the vicinity. Looms? No, that sounds grim. It's just so beautiful. The bright colours catch the sun and it made me smile from streets away. The closest I can come to for similar pleasure is seeing the blue-grey dome of St Paul's (London) from a distance, and then rounding the corner on a side street and there it is.

Just gorgeous.

It is so close to the Anne Frank House. I can completely understand why she found the chimes so comforting. It was either that or go mad :)

In the shadow of the Westerkerk is the Homomonument. Yes, it's what it sounds like. Designed as three triangles it represents and commemorates the gays who died in the concentration camps (who had to wear a pink trinagle). I took some pics, but they're just not that photogenic. They were designed to blend into the existing surroundings, and they do. Very moving though.

S
UNDAE!

YOU WENT TO A SEX CLUB??????????????????????

Canals!
Finally!

These are all of "my" canal - the Singel.
It's the first of four canals that girdle Amsterdam. It was originally a moat, so it defines the city centre to the West.

The second pic shows the rise in the road as a bridge approaches, as mentioned previously. Also the amount of bicycles and the Dutch practicality - the day before it was raining, there were NO chairs and tables outside that bar!

I did chick. And I had lots of sex. And oral.
Do you still love me?

And finally....!

Another view of canalside living - of the just-add-sunshine Dutch variety.

I pixellated one woman's face because she was looking stright at the camera. Probably trying to pull me, the cheeky mare.

I love you even more - if that's possible.

What a braveheart!

I echo Dana and Bri's admiration of your s-exploits, SG. Wowzer! Much braver than me, and thanks for writing about it (everything you ever wanted to know ... etc ...).

Niiiice. Care to explain further? :p:

Ha!
No, no lady-loving in the 'Dam.
Although I met a very cute Canadian girl who gave me her email address. I lost it :(

Color me impressed, SG. Good for you!

I have been contacted by a PhD student who is writing her dissertation on women using the sex industry - as opposed to the usual subject of men. She wants to interview me. She asked me via a PM on the site I logged onto to get the details of the club (I posted there for advice under a different name than I use here)

Yay!
I'm a case study!

I answered in the affirmative, but am waiting on a reply.

I spoke with her tonight at length.
I hope all the above is correct because I did give her directions to this thread for background info :)

It was a completely painless and even enjoyable experience.
She raised some questions I really had to think about, and allowed me to reconsider everything that happened.

If I can swing it (pun intended) I will be going back to the 'Dam in September.
Or maybe half-term if I'm putting in more hours at school, as I sincerely hope to be by then. Not to go back to the club, just to walk those streets again and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Talking about it brought it back.

Now I know the ropes I'd stay further out - which will be cheaper.
Also the coach fares drop again in the Autumn, so I'd have a chance of getting a promotional fare (funfare) which could be a return trip for under $40 (approx). This is pretty much the same as a Travelcard to London from here* How could you say no to that?!

As ever, any Dwellars who can make it are welcome co-vacationers.
I'll even throw in my limited Travel Guide skills free of charge!

*Disclaimer - when I go to London my Dad drives me to the nearest Tube station and I use my Oyster card on off-peak fares. But the standard rail cost from Aylesbury is £20.

Is that turning into a paid job, then?