I have to start off this post with a bit of bragging. As I write this post I’m watching the sunset behind some gorgeous buildings over a canal from my hotel balcony. It is truly magical. Check it out

The bridges are starting to glow with twinkle lights, and the restaurants and cafes couldn’t be any cuter. I love it here.

Ok, now we can rewind a bit. What feels like this morning I was back in Seattle cleaning my house for a house sitter, then I got on a plane (back up again: drugged myself due to my flight anxiety, then got on a plane), and flew to Holland. Here’s the pic as we landed:

I could basically see fields. After landing I hopped the train into Amsterdam and drug my roller bag to my hotel for the night. I’ll talk more about the hotel after I check out, but it’s super cute. Here’s me just getting off the train in Amsterdam Centraal station.

At the hotel I got a shower (it was needed), and hit the streets. I decided to do a Rick Steve’s written tour of the adorable Jordaan district, as I heard it was cute and had great food. I heard correctly. Get ready for adorable streets, canals, shops, and food photo dump.

Alright. Now that we’ve got the cuteness out of the way we can move on to the food. So MUCH FOOD.

I got to the hotel a bit before check in time, so I grabbed a falafel wrap from a to go shop to eat by a canal. I’d give the wrap a 5, but wrap+canal is a 9. The only thing that can get a 10 is dessert.

Speaking of which, after wandering the streets for all of 2 min (maybe 5; I did stop in a couple of shops) I found a bakery!

I got some kind of a stroopwafel tart, and though it wasn’t an actual stroopwafel, I’m not complaining. The bakery is called Bake my Day, and I may be back tomorrow. And everyday henceforth.

At some point on my Rick Steve’s walk I decided a snack was needed, and luckily frites are a Dutch tradition so I enjoyed those by a canal. 9.5 on this one.

I highly recommend eating those by a canal as well. Traditional frites here typically come with some kind of mayo. Mine was a garlic mayo, and even though I am not a huge fan mayo these were great. Although honestly next time I may just get them my preferred way: totally plain. Because that’s just the type of person I am.

After finishing my walk it was dinner time. I went to a traditional Dutch pub where I was served a meatball and puréed potatoes and carrots. It was… hearty. If I’m honest I could have gotten a salad, but why?

Then one more dessert at Sea Salt and chocolate just to round out the night. It was some kind of honeyed orange and rose water situation with a piece of fudge on the side. You’re wondering if it was overkill. It was not.

As I’ve been writing this the sun has set and so has my willpower to stay awake. Off to bed I go. Here’s one more pic to send you off with