There seems to be alot of confusion as to whether or not there is halloween here in the Netherlands. People often assume not. Also if you ask a Dutch person, they'll likely tell you that's a North American thing and there's no such thing as halloween over here.

But you should ask the students in Amsterdam, they'll tell you a different story. They'll tell you of halloween parties that involve the renting of party boats to cruise around and dance to Thriller all night. What's perhaps more interesting is that the people participating in these parties are not only American. NO! The Dutch, Spanish, Australian, Chinese, Romanian.... every nationality of students takes part in the festivities.

Below I present 2 pieces of photo evidence of the frightening festivus that I attended in Amsterdam's Oud West neighborhood amongst Dutch, American, German, and French friends.

The Vondelpark is good for many things. One of them is running. What a great place to train! Running is known as a solitary sport, but even if you don’t know a soul in Amsterdam (or at least anyone that runs), you’ll find a huge sense of community after heading to the Vondelpark. Just one loop around and you’ll feel like you’re a part of a group effort to get fit.

Of course, it’s also possible to run on the streets of Amsterdam, but people often look at you like you’re crazy. Running? In Amsterdam? That disbelief disappears when you enter the park. It’s really amazing.

Riding a bike in Amsterdam without crashing is a major achievement. But each season holds its perils for the bicycle-bound commuter. In summer, it’s the tourists. Winter, however, may be more desolate, but the hazards still exist. Think ice. And snow. Of course, these aren’t common problems in recent years, but the cold in general makes biking a reluctant chore.

Don’t despair; just always remember a scarf, a hat, gloves, and the ever-present umbrella. And if there is ice on the road, watch out. Sliding and falling on ice is for some reason more painful than the warm-weather variety.

If there’s one thing you do in 2006, make it Museumnacht this Saturday, November 4th. For the mere price of 14 Euros (plus service charge, or 17.50 Euros the night of at various locations), you can wander all over the city for an entire evening and night, getting all cultured up with thousands of other enthusiasts. Special events abound from 7pm to 2am.

There’s special transportation available for partakers so you can really explore these exhibitions in style (i.e., not walking forever in the freezing cold). You can even use your ticket to visit any additional participating museum of your choice through the end of the year.

Have a look at Amsterdam Weekly’s selection. This event isn’t to be missed – of course, I’ll be in Spain, soaking up the sun, but my past experiences speak very positively of attending!

Some people think international students live in their own little bubble. But I have experienced otherwise.

Recently I was wondering the Jordaan with a group of students from Carleton College (Minnesota) and as we were about to walk into a cozy café, we heard a woman calling out to us, something to the effect of "Hey, come on, all of you, come help, everyone takes one, it's easy!"

We turned to find a huge pile of plastic sacks, each filled to capacity with some sort of red toy. Without thinking any further, I motioned to everyone to follow me and said "lets help her move these". Without question, they followed me and grabbed some bags.

As we walked down the street, the women balancing many bags of little red tomato shaped sponges turned to ask me questions and say thanks. She looked back at the group and asked: "Americans?" And I said, "yes, students." At that point I realized the tomatoes were a symbol for the Socialist Party and that storefront up ahead was the local headquarters. She gave me a big smile "Good! Tell them this is how it works in Amsterdam, everyone helps everyone and it is easier this way."

I didn't have to tell them anything. I could see each bag toting student was enjoying him/herself. And as we dropped off the sacks and waved goodbye, the volunteers came out of the office and stuffed our pockets with kitchen-sponge-tomatoes.

Just like that, we turned political.

MUSEUM NIGHT

Don't miss Museum night (n8) this Saturday!! The event has already been mentioned on Trippist a few days ago, but it's a rare opportunity to visit 40 museums and institutions combined with DJs, bands, dance performances and food & drinks from 7pm until 2am. Museum night has plenty of events for non-dutch speakers, check these out:

- The Portugese Synagoge
This synagogue from 1675 is still completely in its original state, which also means that there’s no electricity. Light is supplied by more than 1000 candles that will all be lit while Santo Servicio give regular live performances. From 8PM-2AM.

- Waag Society
This cool media lab will offer a retrospect and a preview about previous, current and future projects. The highlight is the vodka-mixing robot that will supply booze all night. From 7PM-2AM.

- ArtBeat exhibition
"Happening street art & the music that goes with it". Dutch artist Zedz and German artist Esher will coordinate the event with international artists making some great pieces especially for ArtBeat. From 7PM-5AM.

I spent Halloween weekend in Dublin and decided on return to A'dam to represent this division.

1. Pint versus Biertje?

This is the crucial distinction. A full frothy pint of something that tastes like a tree, or a lil' glass of lager? Point for Dublin!

2. Smoke

Red eyes and a dead set of clothes you want to let hang outside, or a bartender who echoes the fashion of 1640 haven sharing puffs proudly from his proudly home-grown spliff? This is tough, but I'll go with Dutch 1640. Score!

3. Irish Stew v. Bitterballen

They taste good, you think. You think you're sure you like them, but like sex there is a clandestine ick factor lingering around when you think about it too long. Bitterballen. A sort of flour and water and lil'' meaty flakes all deep-fried and hot. Irish Stew is less mysterious. Potato, carrot, 'greens' and...lamb. DONT'T THINK ABOUT IT TOO HARD! Dublin gets the point!

4. Song

What are we singing? Who are 'we'?

A circle of drunkening wizards muddling Irish standards or...or...continental jazz? DJ Dominatrix or, what is that? A radio beating Lange Frans to death? I see no other alternative, despite my love of drunkening wizards and the good ol' Irish tune, to give the Amsterdam cafe/pub scene a sympathy point. You know. To keep things even.

My hair was getting out of control and much too long so I decided to take a big step and put it in someone else's hands. I am very picky with my hair, so I walked around the city of Amsterdam asking people with cute cuts where they had gotten it done. One reffered me to Cut the Crap and I was very happy that I ended up choosing it as the place to go.

Its not very commercial or big, but it is very funky and personable. There was only two hair chair-sitting thingys and I think only three stylists in all. They allow local artists to come and put up their art-work on the wall so clients can purchase them and they also have DJs come in and spin every once in a while. It was a really cool atmosphere. It led me to get some blue streaks in the front of my blond hair and I quite like them.

The hair-cutter I had was originally from Holland but also lived in Australia and such. She spoke English very well and gave me what I wanted as far as hair goes. I was afraid she was going to make it short on top and long on the bottom, like many Dutch women I have seen, but she didn't.

Overall it was a good experience and I highly recommend it, especially if you want to try something a little more daring with your hair.

Sure, Amsterdam is a city, and boasts little in terms of animal life (although the parks are enviable, and the zoo is pretty cool). But you will run across various mammals, birds, and even a reptile or two if you stay in the city long enough. A few examples:

Pigeons. My least favorite, most likely for two reasons: 1) they have repeatedly pooped on my shoes, jacket, etc. from an unseen perch above, usually while I’m unlocking my bike; 2) they like to totter in front of bikes and then fly straight up, thus almost causing a major accident.

Horses. I love horses, especially their smell. Sounds strange but I think it reminds me of the days that I used to ride when I was younger. You do see horses on the city streets, whether they are pulling tourists or transporting fake Heineken kegs. Or being ridden by a Dutch police wo/man. The clomp-clomp is always a nice reminder of where you are.

Mice. In my experience, they are most often seen in the tracks at the Central Station, before a train has arrived. I know plenty of people that have had to deal with an infestation in their homes, but I have been lucky. So far. The picture is a very cute, very small mouse, sniffing around a terrace where I had lunch.

Next week: Cockroaches, ducks and green parrots.

Brunch, dessert, spectacular salad? The Bakkerswinkel has it all. I frequent the one on Warmoesstraat 69. Upon entering the smell of freshly-baked bread greets you. To the left are stacks and stacks of their own, delicious products, including tantalizing lemon curd. The menu is colorful and with scrolling letters describes the combinations that await you. High tea is an option, but try the salads if you’re looking for a healthy treat. I can also highly recommend the quiche. And the desserts are spectacular.

It’s a great place to impress, so make sure to take any and all of your visitors here. But don’t forget they’re closed on Monday. I’ve been sorely disappointed.

You may have noticed a previous entry recommending museum night, but I wanted to tell you about how my museum night 2006 was.

First off I march to the beat of a very different drummer when it comes to entertainment after dark. People in this town talk of pubs, clubs, discos and concert halls, while I say cafes, parks, squats and my backyard. So it may not be surprising to hear what I love most about museum night.

Out of all the places you can go, and I did visit at least 5 museums during the course of the night/morning, I noticed alot of people end up at the Stedelijk CS building. It is an unmistakable white towering complex that used to house the Post Office headquarters. In that one building alone you can visit the Mediamatic people who put on a hell of a show, the museum of modern art, and more famously.. club 11.

Club 11 is all the rage among the nightlife hipsters. Located on the eleventh floor, it has stunning views over the city, and its very own overpriced minimalist style restaurant/cafe. Lots of DJ's with annoying names play there. Basically anyone who's anyone goes there, and I don't fancy myself anyone at all.

Yet by some twist of fate I ended up there, and made the most of the music, drinks and excellent views.

But the second my friends looked remotely as bored as I was, I suggested they join me at my absolute favorite museum night location: the Portuguese-Jewish synagogue!

Mhmmm.. I said synoggogue! Picture it (above actually): no electricity, only candles everywhere. People seated staring around the magnificent and ancient building. Couples walking past the wooden seats, admiring the Portuguese writing on the wall, engaging in curious conversations with local guides who are there to answer any and all questions. It is - in effect - the exact opposite of club 11, and for anyone who admires history, peace and quiet, and meditation... it is the pefect place at 2 oclock in the morning.

I spent some time walking about the beautiful interior, stopping to read and re-read the text written in the language of my heritage, picking out my own family's last name and other familiar Portuguese names. Eventually walking out as staff began closing the doors and calling it a night.

Thats the best of museum night for me... to sit in a crowded, trendy night club, and leave to sit in the silence of a sacred and historical place.

Don’t forget your bike lights. A stern warning, indeed. And with the constant police crackdown in recent years, if you venture out without them, you are completely justified in feeling a sense of dread as you cautiously cycle around.

Of course, that dread should partially be because you are engaging in a completely unsafe practice, and one of the many crazy drivers on the road will probably not see you and cause a horrific accident of which you will be the victim, but the more likely outcome is that you will be caught by a police “light trap.”

I have been incredibly lucky. This has not happened to me. However, last night as I cycled home, I realized with dismay that my front light was blinking very faintly – the battery was almost dead! Moments later an officer of the law whizzed by me on a scooter, a disapproving look on his face as he squinted at the faint green light pulsing from my bag.

But he didn’t stop. I breathed a sigh of relief and sternly reminded myself to change the battery. Next time, I won’t be so lucky.

Although I haven’t been there in years, someone recently handed me Boom Chicago’s free guide to Amsterdam (called Boom!) and told the tale of visiting a comedy show there, in the Leidseplein. If you’re into improv, this could be the place for you. It reminds me of a kind of local version of Saturday Night Live (and I believe that most – if not all – of the crew members are American). It can be funny, but if you’re deathly afraid of having a spotlight and a huge video camera trained on your face as they ask spontaneous questions to the audience – well, this place isn’t for you.

The food is decent (you can eat during the show) and the crowd is pretty fun, too. If you can get a hold of the Boom! guide before the nightly show, you’ll pay €16.50 for a ticket. The guides are located all over the city.

You know it's winter when the Amsterdam ultimate frisbee league plays under the bright artificial lights, and everyone puts on several layers. In between plays if you look above everyone's head and rising from their shoulders, you'll see a big poof of smoke.

While most teams around the Netherlands go indoors to play in cozy gymnasiums for the winter, many of us stay outside. Because honestly, what's better than feeling the cold winter air cutting your face, and getting smacked in the hands by a very cruel frisbee. Some might assume very few would take part in these crazy winter practices, but in fact there are over 40 of us out there, every week, including the insane international kids from the Universiteit van Amsterdam's student team: NUTS. (Never underestimate these suckas)

Oh and if you're in the neighborhood and interested, come on by, all are welcome. Bring extra layers!

Look everyone, tulip bulbs for USA! Now, I haven’t checked out the details behind this curious sign, but it is curious, no? Are the rules different for bringing tulip bulbs to the US compared to every other country? I know the rules for people are, but does this hold for flowers?

I have never attempted to bring items on the “alert” list back to the US with me. I don’t want to risk any type of interrogation (although once in Texas I was quizzed about how much alcohol (?) I had returned with).

But with such an intriguing announcement smack dab in the middle of the flower market, an export might be work checking out.

When my friend Tom asked me if I wanted to go to Prague for a weekend I was not too interested. Mainly because I did not know anything about the city and knew that I would miss out on what was going on in Amsterdam. But, I decided to go and widen my horizons. I am so glad that I did.

I took SkyEurope for really cheap and landed in the only city that was not destroyed by World War Two. The first night I got to see the city when it was dark and only lit by streetlamps. My friends and I ventured around to see beautiful castle-looking buildings, gigantic statues, and gorgeously ornate architecture all in an orange night glow. Every building was a new experience and a new piece of art.

The shops around there basically had the same things for different prices and the outdoor markets were the same. They sold Prague t-shirts, beer steins, pashmina scarfs and bohemian crystal. All of these little gifts could be talked down in price.

Everyone says that they get sick of seeing church after church in Europe. Well, in Amsterdam this is not the case at all, so the first ornate church I was able to experience was in Prague. I could not help but be in awe in every direction I turned. 8 foot statues lined the outside depicting popes pointing in the direction of heaven. How was this all built? How long did it take? Who built it? My friends and I could not stop asking these questions over and over.

Pragues' nightlife can be dangerous. Beer is only 1 dollar (US currency). Enough said...

In comparison to Amsterdam, Prague is, obviously, older, but it is even more touristy and is not very english-speaking friendly. It also appears that you would really need to get out of the city to experience anything that is really Czech.

If you missed Museum N8 for some unspeakable reason, but would still like to experience a museum after hours, head to the Van Gogh museum. They’ve introduced a museum night every Friday: They’re open until 10 p.m. for the die-hard museumgoer. Sounds like a great way to start off a cultural weekend in style.

If Rabobank is your bank of choice, you may also bring a guest for free when you present your Europas.

One of the best film festivals of the year is almost here. From November 23rd until December 3rd, the annual International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) will take over Amsterdam.

Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but it’s an event well worth investing in. Tickets may currently be purchased online and will be available from November 17th by telephone or at the IDFA box offices, located next to City Theater.

If you plan to see many films, be sure to purchase a “Voordeelpas” for € 20. This pass allows you to pay € 5 instead of € 7.50 for each film ticket.

Reserve early, because this festival almost always sells out fast.

Obviously not everyone has the good fortune of living in a foreign country and having family living somewhere nearby. But I happen to have family living down in Belgium, just south of Brussels. The nice thing about taking the three hour international train ride, besides the tender-loving-care and the homecooking, is the nature. Once you get outside of the city and into the old suburbs, you see nothing by yellows, oranges, and reds.. the colors of fall. And one bonus I found this weekend: mushrooms!

Yes I can hear all the kids already... shrooms! NO. Not in the Amsterdam stereotype way... in the beauty of nature, take-a-photo kind of way. Not everything is about gettin high dammit!

OK folks, picture this: the Amsterdam tourist, fresh off the plane. He (yes, it’s usually a he) is standing smack dab in the middle of the bike path, his map spread out wide before him. The warning bells bearing down on him have no effect on his physical position, and his female companion, who deftly pulls him out of the path of menacing bicycles, usually saves his life.

Airlines should provide a video demo of this scenario to all incoming visitors. I have seen the exact same situation played out scores of times on bike paths all over the city. Since the plane corporations have not yet taken up this challenge, I therefore call all temporary and permanent Amsterdam residents to spread the word! Tell your visitors and their friends to respect the bike path. It is very, very important that they do so.

I'm aware that it is a blog about Amsterdam life. But I'm not finished with my trip to Belgium. Plus it is all BENELUX anyway, so if you experience the NE, you may as well experience the BE and the LUX part. (though ive nothing to say about the LUX today)

Before returning to Amsterdam my cousins asked if I've ever been to Waterloo. Talk about a famous name... wherever you grew up.. you've probably heard this name at one point or another. One reason could be the very famous battle between Napoleon and the Prussian/Russian/Dutch/British/Everything else armies. When their leader, some guy by the name of Wellington, held off Napoleon, got a lion momument buit in memory of the battle, and went on to have a beef dish named after him.

I kid.. but for many it is no joking matter. Especially those guys who dress up in the old uniforms and march around Waterloo. Reminds me of the civil war re-enactments in the United States. It's like some kind of fettish.

I digress... I went to Waterloo and I didn't joke about it while I was there. I swear.

Schiphol has added a new twist to its entertainment array. Now, if you and your sweetheart are so inclined, you can get hitched at the airport. There’s four ceremony options to choose from, from the rush-now-pay-later to the works.

Unfortunately no prices are listed, and the main contact is a wedding planner, so I’m guessing that this might not be the most economic option out there. And in five years, I’ve only known two people that actually got married in NL, I’m not sure how popular it will be. Still, it’s innovative – you’ve got to give them that.

Last night my Study Abroad group planned out an evening of dinner and music. We first went to an Indonesian resteraunt called Srikandi and had quite a bit of food served to us. Make sure you are not allergic to nuts or shellfish when eating there... Almost everything is cooked in peanut oil and the battered looking fish is not shrimp, it's crab. We had a few unfortunate events with students who were allergic, so just be aware. Other than that, the dining experiance was much fun, well worth it and a whole lot of really good Indonesian food.

We then made our way over to the Concertgebouw. It's a big ornate building that had an orangish/yellowish glow to it during the night time. I really liked it inside. It looked like a very classic music venue, with red chairs and a lit stage. You could actually sit behind the orchestra if you wanted in this venue as well. I didn't get to, but I am sure it would be cool to see the conductor from the front with all the facial expressions and such. During intermission you can get coffee/tea/beer/wine etc... The show that I saw was a Dvorak piece and a Stravinsky piece. Both were very well played and the Stravinsky piece at the end was quite fascinating. They all gave the orchestra and conductor a standing ovation at the end. All and all it was quite a classy night.

American football in Europe? Yes, it does exist. And it really should be experienced at least once. Where else is the opportunity to hear 1990s dance music combined with Dutch voice-overs?

December 1st is the official start – compete with kickoff party – of the Amsterdam Admiral’s 2006-2007 season. Tickets are kind of pricey, but worth checking out.

Okay. I don't mean to be a crank, but the only city I've seen these mid-term weeks was a little patch of canal overlooked by a Bushuis Library window. When it comes to library seating I'm extremely territorial. It is my seat; my table. Oh, and that lamp. Yes, that's mine too. The window and all that it overlooks...mine. It overlooks people in hats in cars on bikes smoking or on phones or both at once in the shadow of the bells of some old clock tower. Clock towers are nice no matter their age, and this one since I see it out my window is MINE! But enough on ownership and landmark pieces of time. I'd much rather talk about my favorite two euro snack in these days of hovering darkness (that is the week or so of getting those paper proposals into shape which somehow corresponds to the sun setting at 5:30pm -or is that 17:30 to you?) It is not the frites (those are 2.50 or not worth it), or kip sate, or (heaven forbid) a krokket or even those really tasty sandwiches made fresh with less than cordial hands at Spar grocery. I'm talking, in fact, about pizza, turkish pizza - turkse pizza - a very special pizza sort near and dear to my stomach, and maybe even my heart. Restaurant Turkyie in de Pijp (south on the Ferdinand Bolstraat), very near the west end of the Albert Cuypmarkt I get, almost weekly, a generous treat about the size of my forearm.

A light layer of sausage crumbles (vegetarians helaas! I once was one of you!!) and sharp sauce baked on a flatbread that functions, in this instance, like a tortilla. The oversize savory, as I taste it, is a blessed mix of pizza and burrito and thus two of the greatest culinary inventions at once. Order it with alles erop and receive the wrapping wrapped with another blessed mix of onions, tomatoes, lettuce, garlic sauce, sambal, and sometimes (if they're feeling really generous) green olives. I feel blessed when I eat this treat, and so should you! Oh, lord, how I wish I had stopped by there today I say as I creep to the kitchen and make another uninspired cheese and butter lunch.

Today, as I walked down the Hartenstraat, I saw a major construction project occuring before my very eyes. Huge light displays lay carefully along the street, as a machine and a man worked to bring them to their proper height. The lighting of "de 9 straatjes" was underway.

Yes, it's that time of year again, where major parts of Amsterdam are lit up with festive lights. Never mind the expense or the wasted electricity, these cherry holiday reminders and worth the effort. And they really are quite pretty to look at.

I finally got myself out to the Van Gogh Museum a couple of days ago. I was not dissapointed. I am familiar with Van Gogh's later works and was unaware of how, well, "untalented" he actually was... I don't mean that in a bad way. His earlier pieces, which are still quite stunning, were painted before he actually went to the academy to study. Nothing is proportioned at most of his work is an experiament. Even after his academic work, he didn't abide by their formal rules. I like that. His earlier works of The Potatoe Eaters and laborers are a sight to see. He draws many of his figures with hands and feet that are about twice as big, yet it seems very fitting. I was greatly moved by his paintings of sunflowers. The contrast and use of many colors was gorgeous.

The other thing I noticed as I walked around the museum was the fact that all the people around me were from a differant part of either Europe, Britain or Asia. It is a really wonderful feeling to know that the art you are looking at is being shared by people from all over. It makes you feel connected to people from all over the world.

Speed dating, an exercise in zippy mate selection, is an event that everyone should experience at least once in his or her life. Whether you’re seriously looking for a romantic connection or you just want to have fun and make new friends, it’s a must-do.

Expatica’s version is probably one of the best, because the participants are so interesting! Imagine a roomful of international 20 and 30-somethings wanting to meet new people. And you only have to talk to each “date” for approximately three minutes, so really, awkward moments are kept to a minium.

Expatica’s next SpeedDate is this Friday evening, November 24, from 8-11pm at the American Hotel in Amsterdam. Tickets are available online.

People will tell you alot about all the low cost airlines leaving from Amsterdam for the rest of Europe. They'll tell you how great it is, and how you can travel for cheap to so many destinations throughout the continent.

I'm not going to do that... I'm here to tell you another point of view when it comes to low cost airlines.

To put it simply.. they pollute. Now of course all airlines pollute but people have to fly to cross oceans and travel great distances. But I'm referring to the short one hour and hour and a half flights that people take to get from, say, Amsterdam to Berlin, or Amsterdam to London. Cheap flights, yes. Quick.. sort of if you don't factor in all the security and arriving early and always running late. But when you talk about the amount of pollution produced just to take people for a little jump to the country next door... it is a pretty dirty business.

I was thinking that as I flew down here to Italy. Here I sit at the banks of Lake Como, admiring the beauty and attending a little vlogger convention. After reflecting on this point.. when I do make my way back to Amsterdam.. I shall be more environmentally conscious.

I'm taking the train. And maybe you should too if you can manage paying a little more and taking a bit more time to make a journey.

In the end, you make less of a mess, the stress is less and the scenery is amazing.

Oh my god. I'm so hungry now I completely forgot what it was I wanted to talk about...

Oh, I remember. An often overlooked aspect of Amsterdam is its academic gusto. If you are a smarty-pants or custard lover do not neglect to check the university websites (which you can access in English) before you come to the city. A bit of clicking and faith in the gods of intuitive interface design will find you with times and places of English language lectures, debates, forums, screenings and whatnot.

Amsterdam has no difficulty bringing in the hot semi-stars, superstars and super heroes teaching and working for all those schools and institutions of prestige whose names need not be repeated for the 10 zillionth time in the history of written language.

There's usually free food and alcohol involved. Upcoming, for example, 27 November - 02 December: the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam of which I will only say 'freedom and media reality' and point you to the URL: www.idfa.nl You watch cool documentaries and then sit in on debates between social researchers, film makers, anthropologists, editors, and journalists. Consider it an investment in your cultural capital.

Who knows what curiosities await....it reminds of a time I snuck into a prom on a yacht in Washington, DC....but that is not relevant.

I present the lovely mess left by Ajax fans about 1 ½ weeks ago, outside of the Amsterdam Arena. It was just past noon when I snapped this picture, and already the heavy drinking had begun. The remnants of football followers – beer, beer, and more beer.

I’ve never made it to an Ajax game, and although I don’t mind watching football, I’m slightly terrified of being under the same roof as thousands of drunken fans. Actually, the main result I see from these games is the huge police presence, complete with riot gear and riot-ready trucks, and the mess that is left after these sometimes riots (i.e., smashed windows, trampled shrubs and flowers, more beer cans).

So for now, I’ll stay outside. And snap photos.

As they do fairly often in recent years, the people of the Netherlands have been voting today.

It is a shame that I'm here in fair Verona, Italy, trekking my way east, and I won't get to see all the people heading to their local public school to cast their vote.

Somehow, before I left, a sample ballot ended up in my mailbox. In my humble opinion, it is amazing! Something like 20 parties on this massive poster-size paper; talk about exercising your right... this is hard work!

I'm following the returns from this hotel I'm staying at. News reports indicate a 60% turnout, which is pretty good compared to the under 50% certain other countries suffer from. Will the Labour party become the biggest party? Will the socialists make huge gains? Will the Christian Democrats finally lose their edge and fall from government. Or will the Greens have a huge showing?

10 more minutes and they say there will be a result. Exciting times!

Today is one of those Amsterdam almost-winter days that remain so dark that cars never turn off their headlights, streets remain lit throughout the day and bikers even keep their flashing, battery-operated beams glowing from morning commute to evening party.

It’s raining, too. It’s that constant, drumming rain that never stops but occasionally picks up in its intensity. It wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the wind, which renders even the sturdiest umbrella worthless.

People are in various stages of despair. Some defiantly struggle with their umbrellas, determined to come out victorious. Others have given up the fight and walk, heads down and soaking, letting the rain do what it will.

It is days like this that remind us all why we love summer – and even winter sun – so much in Amsterdam.

If you’re intrigued by the human body, check out “Bodies: The Exhibition” at Beurs van Berlage. Learn things you never knew before about this body that we all inhabit. But if your stomach is easily upset, it’s probably best to skip this one.

Honestly, the website alone (primarily the intro) is an experience. And a warning of what to expect, if you’re delicate.

It opens tomorrow (Saturday) and runs until March 15. Tickets are 20 Euros, students pay 16 (all prices plus 2.50).

I just had my family come to visit Amsterdam. It was quite interesting having them here. I was, of course, very excited to see them after not having seen them in 3 months, but at the same time it was a bit overwhelming. Escorting around 4 people while still going to class and trying to keep up with other obligations was a little bit hard at times. Yet, all in all, it was wonderful to have them here with me for a few days.

During their stay here I got to look at Amsterdam from a whole different perspective. It is one thing to have a group of Americans your own age and quite another to be with your family. Walking through the red-light district with my family by my side was a little bit awkward. I explained that they shouldn't stare or look down upon the prostitutes. I feel that too many tourists do this and I feared that my family would be one of them. As far as I am concerned, you are on their turf, this is their profession and you should respect it. Thankfully, my family listened to request and we got along just fine.

I took my little brother and my older sister to a coffeeshop because they wanted to go and it was interesting seeing them in the setting. In the states, smoking is illegal, and smoking with family members, I think, is really uncommon. Yet, they were in Amsterdam and i was not opposed to taking them into a coffeeshop, so, I did. I took them to Abraxis, we smoked and it was fun.

I had to keep reminding myself throughout their stay that they were seeing Amsterdam for the first time. It was the first time during my trip here that I realized the fact that I have grown very accustomed to seeing the architecture, the cobblestone and the people of Amsterdam. At the same time it made me think that I shouldn't take the time I have left here for granted, because I will soon be on my way back to the midwest.

Even though it’s just recently disappeared, the now cold weather has me longing for the summer. Specifically, I would love to board a small boat and sail through the canals of Amsterdam, my head thrown back and the warm breeze blowing through my hair. There’s nothing like puttering along the water (but don’t put your hand in) and waving at friendly passersby, and drinking wine from plastic cups while munching on crackers and cheese.

But the photos! If you think you know Amsterdam but you’ve never seen it from the water – well, you’re in for a delightful surprise. A simple change of perspective makes Amsterdam more charming than ever before.

Don’t despair: Summer is only seven months away.

Greetings from Ljubljana, Slovenia. A country with far more wireless internet than say... Italy.

I thought of trippist recently as I stood at a bustop on the outskirts of this fine city, nevermind how I ended up in the middle of nowhere in a very crappy hostel, that's a whole other typical travel story.

But as I'm standing at the bus stop talking with my travel companion from Chicago, we start comparing the European Union to the United States in terms of cities. He joked that Ljubljana was something between El Paso and Portland. Which eventually got us to talking about Amsterdam.

I suggested that Amsterdam is like the EU's San Francisco; mostly thinking about the tremendous counter culture, openness, and creativity.. not to mention the simple beauty. All these things remind me of San Fran for whatever reason.

He highly disagreed. "Chicago" he said without having to think for another second. "It has the spirit of Chicago in both the creative and the practical sense."

Myself, I've never been to Chicago, but I'll take his word for it. But what about you lurking readers... is Amsterdam comparable to a city in the US? If so.. which one? Is it Boston or Austin? Eugene or New Orleans? Leave your comparison in the comments.

The New Year is almost here, and what better way to start 2007 by learning a novel skill? For example, how to dance salsa? Extremos is one of the biggest – and in my opinion, the best – dance schools in Amsterdam. They teach all week long and classes are a great place to learn the basics and meet new friends. Most of the classes are held at Cantinero in the Heinekenplein, so it’s always nice to stay after class, have a drink and continue practicing your newfound talent.

Classes start again January 15. Don’t be late in signing up!

The travel saga continues, as my open ended trip needs to come to an end for various reasons including money, time, and "work". And if you find yourself in Slovenia and happy like a kid in a candy store, the hard part is leaving. No, not because Amsterdam is a bad place to come back to, it is certainly not that... the bigger problem are the flights!

More and more these days students and locals alike will brag about the lowcost airlines that can get you to odd little vacation corners of the world. But it just so happens, that they can't always get you to the great places, and Ljubljana is one of those.

So how to get out of there became the question last night. And although I love the trains.. the long haul, almost 2 day trip via Munich, would have proven way to expensive although certainly very pretty. And hitchhikers.org didn't have any kind Dutch people travelling from that area back to good ol' NL. So it became a matter of.. where's the nearest affordable flight that actually lands at schiphol airport?

After careful calculation. Budapest is much too far. Innsbruk is much too expensive. And Venice.. well.. Venice might work out just fine. Being all beautiful and quiet, it was kind of hard to resist spending one night here before grabbing the transavia flight back to Amsterdam tomorrow.

So for all my hatred of lowcost airlines, I'm going to hold my nose in the name of staying financially alive. And if you're poor and decide Venice or Ljubljana are places you're interested in.. well.. this might be the option for you.

Discounts. Books in English. What more could you want? Amsterdam RAI is hosting a book fair between Thursday, November 30 and Sunday, December 3. Every kind of book you can imagine – fiction, classics, dictionaries, travel books – at major discounts. What a find!

It starts this coming Thursday, and is open Thursday and Friday from 10:00-21:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.

My friends and I ventured around the touristy section of Dam square and ended up going into the Sex Museum, I mean, why not? I have to say that if I was running the show, the museum would be much more well organized.

There were many random rooms filled with explicit images, though none of them made clear sense as to why they were placed where they were. They did have a room filled with images that many would consider very perverse or deviant forms of sexuality. You were cautioned before going in, but really, it wasn't anything I hadn't seen before. I am studying sexuality and such, but still, I don't think many would be all too shocked.

The exhibit I found most interesting were the photos taken from the early 20's. It is interesting to see pornographic images taken in black and white and slightly amusing to see the outfits on the people in the images as well. I think that many are used to seeing pornographic images of the now and not the then. In fact, most think pornography is a relatively new phenomenon. These pictures clearly disproved that. They also portrayed lesbian and gay scenes, "back then," as well.

If you are planning on going to the Sex Museum, be forewarned, there are life sized, naked, unattractive models that pop out at you from the corner...

As a student here I have encountered a few inconveniences when it comes to medical help and attention. The idea of cold medicines and antibiotics are really not as freely given out or prescribed by doctors. In the states, if I need medicine or even think that I need medicine, it is prescribed immediately, sometimes without a doctors visit. Here, I am told to rest and drink tea... My friend purchased boxes of sudafed in Ireland because she knew she could not get it here in Amsterdam. As frustrating as it can be, at the same time, the Dutch may have a point. You really can get better without the use of medication, but you just have to give yourself time and rest.

Amsterdam has a very dedicated staff of street sweepers. Everywhere you go, they are working diligently to keep the streets and sidewalks clean. Some are assigned to sweep bits of rubbish into the path of a cleaning machine, and others use water hoses to spray off the swept area.

The point of this post? Watch out for the hoses! I think some of these workers get a particular delight out of spraying passersby. Who wouldn’t? I honestly wouldn’t mind trying on that job for size – naively spraying bikers or pedestrians, all the while maintaining an innocent expression (“Sorry, sir, just doing my job!”).

But as long as you’re on this side of the hose, steer clear. Unless you neglected to shower the night before, of course.