Amsterthoughts

Wednesday in Amsterdam...

Took a walking tour of the town, learned a bit about its history. The gist? If it makes money, it's cool with the town. Also, the Dutch traded Manhattan (new Amsterdam ... why they changed it I can't say...) for Suriname. So there ya go.

Nice to get the history, as I knew precious little about Amsterdam (they dammed the Amstel river, hence the name -- not to be confused with Heineken damning Amstel Light). Also had a local brew -- a white beer, but I forgot its name. But it was good.

Also hit the Anne Frank house (yes, my Holocaust tour continues ...). Very digestible, good setup, some interactives, good history ... well done.

And if it seems as if this blog is losing a little steam, that's because it's author is losing a little steam (as evidenced by that inexcusable misuse of an apostrophe back there). Long trip. All great, but long. Not sure if the coffeehouse visit last night helped or hurt.

FUN FACT: A little less than 10 percent of the Dutch smoke weed. Gotta love tourism.

Looking to rebound big today with a (mostly) unplanned side trip. More on that later. But for now, some musings...

* I wonder if the EU currency deliberately looks like play money.

* I wonder if I could knock a biker over with a well-timed foam rocket.

* I wonder how original New York pizza can be served here (yeah, with utensils, but that's not what I mean). Though I guess with the whole New Amsterdam thing, maybe it works somehow.

* I try not to wonder what could be on Porno Supermarket's much-advertised demonstration video.

* I wonder if I actually look like a cokehead, or whether the folks on the street looking to score some just ask everyone. Let's go with the latter.

* I wonder if I have a stress fracture in my foot.

* I wonder if any other cities have had to take specific measures to stop guys from pissing on buildings.

* I wonder if any other cities have had to deal with women protesting outdoor facilities being made available only to men by pissing on a bridge.

* I wonder if any other cities had to shut down the new female facilities because heroin addicts were shooting up in them.

* I wonder where all these cuts on my hands are coming from.

* I wonder if I too can save Holland.

* I wonder how many bikes are at the bottom of the canal (our tour guide says tons of 'em).

* I wonder which hostelmate took my room key (I eventually found it -- my guess was right).

* I wonder how many times I can lose and then find my sunglasses (in another city).

* I wonder if I should go to Dublin.

* I wonder why everyone thinks I look like I'm 26. Not that I'm complaining ...

* I wonder if the key-thieving hostelmate in the bunk beneath me would be offended if I gave him a breathe-right strip.

* I wonder if that psycho tourist from the walking tour yesterday still is stalking me.

* I wonder if covering the tennis tourneys in Rome and Berlin -- and maybe some soccer -- would have allowed me to expense all this.

* I wonder if Joe Girardi has been fired yet.

* I wonder if I will start walking all around Santa Monica when I get back, or whether I never will walk anywhere again. Ever.

* I wonder where the hell I am right now (I since have figured it out, but I'm sure I'll wonder off again).

* I wonder about Pandora.

* I wonder whether those kids will be convicted in the Natalee Holloway case.

* I wonder which country's currency is weakest against the dollar, and whether I should vacation there next.

* I wonder if Zenit Yobs are going crazy.

* I wonder if my other hostelmates actually do have meningitis to go with their throat infections, or if they were just kidding. Or being paranoid.

* I wonder why Charlie Brown never kicked Lucy.

* I wonder if anyone watches the NASCAR reruns Amsterdam apparently shows at night.

* I wonder if any other three weeks of my life will compare to these.