Hello to you! Another great day exploring.

I started my morning off with a nice little espresso and a read before heading out.

Jet lag meant I woke up at 5am, but nothing actually opens until 9 or 10, so I had some peaceful time watching the sunrise and reading a book I impulse bought at the airport.

Just in case anyone is new to my travel blog, I take anxiety medication to allow myself to endure flights without the petty hinderance of panic attacks. Some fun side effects of the medication for me include getting really snacky (including occasionally accidentally eating food gifts I meant to bring home for loved ones), impulse shopping at the airport, and forgetting long chunks of my journey despite feeling perfectly aware at the time. This time I bought a book, read half of it on the plane, and forgot it all.

So we’re starting it again. It’s seriously as if I’ve never read it.

Moving on. . .

After a leisurely morning from 5am-8am, I found a coffee shop that said it opened at 8:30am, so I checked out of the hotel and hit the streets in search of sustenance.

Here’s the cute indoor balcony in the hotel room:

The neighborhood continues to be adorable, despite it being a bit more overcast today as evidenced by more adorable canal pictures.

I found my way to a little slice of heaven known as Sango, just as they opened the doors. I said “hallo”, one of like 3 Dutch phrases I’m able to remember (I think it’s pretty obvious why I’ve got this one locked in), because though Rick Steve’s says you don’t need to know any Dutch to get around in the Netherlands, people do appreciate the effort of any attempt. Apparently my Dutch pronunciation exceeds my actual knowledge, because the gentleman working immediately starts rapidly speaking to me in Dutch.

Now, those who love travel know the ultimate compliment a local can give a traveler is to assume you are also a local. So as this was going on I was internally congratulating myself on accomplishing this feat, while outwardly staring at him blankly. At which point he figured me out and switched to English. So close.

On the upside I did get to sit on a comfy little couch by a window overlooking the square, and enjoyed grilled banana bread with bananas and berries.

I also got my first (miniature) stroopwafel. And a cappuccino. I cut out black tea and decaf coffee back in college, but they only had caffeinated so I went for it.

After finishing breakfast I headed back to Centraal train station to catch a train to Alkmaar for their weekly cheese market.

Trains are beautifully easy here in Holland, and my caffeinated self was able to make it to the train just before the doors closed, lest I be stuck in the train station an extra 30 minutes.

Off we go!

To the cheese market in Alkmaar where I didn’t buy or taste any cheese.

First things first, the historic district of Alkmaar is adorable, and I’m glad I went. The downside was that the hordes of tourists meant it was hard to get around in the market to be able to see anything. From what I saw, they gave giant rounds of cheese that are bought in bulk, run it to the weigh house to weigh it, then run it back? I don’t know. It was hard to see.

But all the workers wear traditional clothing and special hats, so there’s that. The small vendor cheese sellers were also crowded and busy, so I just looked and wondered by. A strawberry seller did give me a sample of a delightful strawberry though.

In an attempt to get out of the crowds I wandered the smaller lanes of the old city.

I may have also accidentally wandered down the red light district of Alkmaar, partially because I didn’t know there was one. At 11:30am I was the only one wandering the lane, but some of the windows were occupied.

When the rain came I ducked into a cafe for a truly decadent tea (chunks of mint, ginger, and orange topped with some local honey), and some tomato soup with fresh herbs and cracked black pepper. So tasty and perfect for the weather.

After I paid I thought, “maybe I should have ordered something with cheese?” I’m sure I’ll find some cheese at some point.

After lunch it was back on the train for me to head back to Amsterdam where I found…

JIMMY!!! Who was half asleep having just gotten off his plane from Seattle.

I’m hoping you noticed this is Jimmy’s first appearance in the blog. Or maybe it was assumed that I only like pictures without him? Not true! A last minute issue with his passport meant I left Jimmy at the airport and flew off into the sunset solo, hoping he’d work it out eventually.

He did get it worked out, and was able to join me 24 hrs later. So good to have my travel buddy! Did you all miss him? I’m so glad he caught me.

We checked into our new lodgings (the night before I stayed at a very cute hotel in the Jordaan district. The new place is (drumroll)

ONE OF THE HOUSE BOATS IN THAT PICTURE!!!

I am beyond excited about this. We came all the way around the world to hang out on a houseboat. Which, ironically, is what Jimmy brings up we should live on in Seattle every year or so.

At water level

With our lodgings all straightened out it was time for friets. Jimmy is a fan.

Then we headed off to Vondelpark, which is a big park in the city. The flowers aren’t blooming yet, but it was still fun to walk around.

Also, Wendy if you’re reading this, what kind of duck is that. You can’t tell from the pic but it’s huge.

By this point Jimmy was starting to fade, so we wandered to the Foodhallen to grab some dinner.

I have been wanting to come to this place for years, since reading about it in a travel article. It’s a giant building filled with food stalls from all over the world. It was so yummy, and I am so full.

Also, I found a Foodhallen cat!

There’s really nothing more I can ask for.

With our tummies full and eyes tired, we wandered back to our base for (hopefully) a good night’s sleep. I can already hear Jimmy sleeping, so this bodes well.