Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Leuven

Amsterdam, Holland.

 It has definitely been a while since my last entry but what can I really say? I guess I have just been having a good time. Let's begin with the city of sin, otherwise known as Amsterdam. This city is very much different then any other place I have been in Europe. It may not be the prettiest place on earth but it has a rough kind of charm that is seldom found. How else are you really suppose to react when you overhear someone asking a prostitute if anal costs extra? Of course, just around every corner is coffee shop waiting to sell you everything from pot, to hash to magic mushrooms. With the right company (my friend Aviva), this can be a fun experience. The picture to your left is me eating a raw herring, here is better picture of the fish. I have to admit the fish itself looks absolutely repulsive. But being me I knew I had to try it. In the end it really wasn't so bad, definitely a very fishy taste.


Rotterdam, Holland. Paul and I

Right after Amsterdam I made a stop in Rotterdam to see another old friend from exchange. I have to admit I had a great time in Rotterdam. Not to mention Paul is an excellent cook. Rotterdam is definitely less touristy then Amsterdam but I got the chance to learn  about the history with my personal tour guide. During the second world war, the city was bombed literally to the ground because it had a large port. To this day, the city still has a fire line that outlines the damage around the city.

I am hoping that one day I will eventually get the chance to repay the favor when Paul comes to Canada. That is if I can get him and some of my European friends to cross the Atlantic ocean.

Leuven, Belgium. Walter (Toms roommate), Tom and I

My current location is Leuven, Belgium. I am staying with my buddy Tom who I met on the Camino. He was nice enough to show me around town and teach me about the culture. The last time I went to Brussels for a weekend I had already decided it was the place to indulge in all sorts of fantastic food and drink. One thing most people are not aware of is that French fries are from here. So why the french name? During the second world war, Americans came from abroad and thought Belgian people were french because they spoke french. Just to name a few things worth trying, Belgium chocolates, moules et frites (muscles and fries), Belgium waffles, and of course the beer.





Below you will see three beers with their respective goblets.

With a selection of 652 types of beer trying each one is a fools challenge. However, this doesn't mean you can't try. I have to admit that there is really just every single type/flavor imaginable. Just to name a few, blond beer, brown beer, white beer, lemon, lime, cherry, raspberry, apple, etc...

The trappistes beer tend to be the best. This means that they are brewed by monks. Alcohol percentages vary anywhere from 6 to 12%. I guess when you make a vow of celibacy your going to compensate by making your beer wicked strong.

 Tomorrow I will be off to Bruge, Belgium which has been given the name of Venice to the north. The day after I will be Switzerland. Ready or not, here come the alps.


 -Jonathan