"Amsterdam-Truly a Dutch Treat" a Amsterdam Travel Page by jenn_d

I have always wanted to be abroad during a national holiday and for this reason I made it a point to visit Amsterdam on Koninginnedag (Queensday). Queensday is said to be the 9th largest party in the world behind Mardi Gras, Carnival and a few others. I was not disappointed! The pouring rain and the chilly weather did not diminish the enthusiasm of the crowd. Queensday is also like a giant flea market. Everywhere you look people have laid out their finest junk for some drunken fool to purchase. I kept my eyes peeled for a delicate Delft teacup but had no luck. In the Museumplein area an enormous concert stage was set up with 500,000 people dancing, singing, and partying. I have never really seen anything like it. I was astounded at the amount of litter being accumulated in the streets..one of my new Dutch friends assured me that come morning the streets would be clean again and to my surprise they were. I threw out my shoes at the end of the day though, they were saturated with God knows what and too filthy to consider saving.<p>With the exception of a few very unsavory characters who I encountered at Central Station in the wee hours of the morning, every Dutch person I met was absolutely delightful to chat with. Many wanted to engage in poltical discussions. I particularily remember one young man who commented that he has never met an American who admits to voting for George W.Bush,"How did he get elected if no one voted for him?" He asked.

From Amsterdam I was able to take a day trip out to Haarlem and the Keukenhoff Gardens. I enjoyed my time in the Netherlands so immensely that I will be returning during the Spring of 2003 with hopes of visitng Delft, Den Hague and a few other towns.

I love it when I click with people right away and these two gals (Ange from Austrailia and Tricia from Canada) had the same mindset as I was. My time in Amsterdam was made much more enjoyable by their spirited presence!

Sporting the only orange tee I own.