Week 15: A is for Amsterdam

As the time winds down on my semester abroad I am starting to get a tad exhausted. Traveling every weekend, trying new things in each city, etc. All tiring. Especially when I am lacking routine during the week. And I’m guessing this is true of most abroad students. But I think this experience is helping me grow emotionally and not just culturally. I’m constantly reflecting on myself and pushing myself to continue to treat each day with the energy that I gave on my first day. One tip that I’d give other students studying abroad is to write in a journal because I would have really regretted if I left here without writing down the things that I did and how I felt while doing them. Even writing these posts for my blog has been important because I have been able to look back and read about all of the main things that I did. My journal also helps me come to terms with my exhaustion and then bounce back once I recognize how I feel and how I can improve.

But without further adieu, this is how I spent one of my last weeks studying abroad. 

Tibidabo

This week, I didn’t go on a self-date because two of my roommates came with me on Wednesday to Tibidabo! Their class was cancelled so they were able to come with me. However, the trip was a bit of a flop. Tibidabo is a little amusement park and church on Barcelona’s tallest mountain. It has great views of the city and some fun rides. However, when we went it was extremely foggy out and we could hardly see the city. There also weren’t many people there so it just felt like a deserted town. We didn’t go on any of the rides but there is a carousel, a ferris wheel, and one that brings you in a circle high in the air. If the weather had been nicer, we would have done the rides but our energy was low so we just didn’t do them. We did go in the church though. It’s very pretty on the inside and out and it was nice because you can see the church from the city so we finally got to go to the little castle on the hill that we’d always seen. 

Overall, our journey was a slight flop but it had been on my bucket list and I’m happy I can say I went there and got to cross it off the list. 

Harry’s 

My roommates and I tried a new restaurant this week called Harry’s. It’s Italian food, which I don’t eat a lot of in Barcelona, and it was very nice. I shared the penne a la vodka and a caesar salad with one of my roommates. Both were very delicious! I’d definitely recommend Harry’s for anyone visiting Barcelona who wants some upscale Italian food. 

Sutton

We tried a new club this week, Sutton! We had been meaning to visit for so long and finally did. We signed up for this list online so that we wouldn’t have to pay to get in but it also ended up giving us a free table with bottle service. We got very lucky with that one. I became friends with the DJ and he offered us a table at another club this week! That’s a fun little story for me and hopefully, we can get a few other tables from him before we leave Barcelona. 

Amsterdam

Amsterdam was definitely the highlight of my week and one of my favorite weekend trips too. It was actually my last one :(. It is such a beautiful city with all of the canals running through it and I love how it’s filled with history but also fun. 

One of my favorite little things about Amsterdam is its bikers. They are ruthless and “have a license to kill” as one of my tour guides put it. I laughed out of nervousness and because I thought it was funny how true the stereotype was every time I crossed the street. I also love that tulips are sold throughout the city and there are flower markets that line parts of the canal. This adds even more beauty to the city. 

One thing that I did not like about this trip was the hostel I stayed at. It wasn’t all that bad really and I liked the people that worked there, but I had to stay in a room with five guys and I was the only girl and I think because of this I developed a bad vibe for the place. Plus the first two times I went into my room the lights were always off so I didn’t get to meet the boys and just felt like I was intruding. They ended up being nice, but I still just felt a little uncomfortable and was craving my bed back in Barcelona. But hey, I got through it and it all ended up being just fine. 

Jewish Quarter

The first thing that I did in Amsterdam was do a walking tour of the Jewish Quarter with two of my friends. We learned all about Amsterdam’s involvement in World War II and Anne Frank, of course. This was a very informational tour and I loved it. However, I was FREEZING. My toes were in so much pain I quickly bought socks and layered up way more the whole rest of the trip. 

We didn’t go in the Anne Frank house because it was sold out but that is one thing I wish we could’ve done. Oh, I also didn’t take any photos because my hands were hiding from the cold in my pockets.

Canal Tour

We also did a canal tour. The canal is so pretty and it was nice doing the tour. Amsterdam does a light show every winter and this year’s theme was about technology and AI. As we cruised through the canal, our tour guide told us the theme of each piece of art. Many reflected on how technology has made us lonelier although we think it’s bringing us together, while some were about how technology is good because of the information it brings us and how it can make our lives easier. 

Our House Museum

This museum is all about house and techno music. It was super fun learning about the history of the music that I listen to basically daily. It was also super interactive, with DJ boards that we could experiment with, a silent disco, and a finale with a vibrating floor so that we could really feel the bass on our feet. Plus it had a bar. People of all ages enjoyed this museum and the unique adventure that it brought. Such a fun experience!

The Fun Side of Amsterdam

Amsterdam is also known for its coffee shops, smart shops, Red Light District, and legal prostitution. Of course, I had to visit these places to get the full experience. I learned a lot and saw a lot, and all I want to say is you’ve gotta go to Amsterdam yourself to make your own memories and stories. What happens in Amsterdam stays in Amsterdam 🙂

Amsterdam Foods

Overall

This week was a lot of fun. Two of my classes wrapped up, I tried new restaurants and a new club, and I had an amazing weekend in Amsterdam.