Travel Day - London to Amsterdam

So last night we started to get an uneasy feeling about our eurail passes as we tried to look up train schedules and procedures. We set our alarms a little earlier and went straight to the station in the morning. Unfortunately our suspicions were confirmed as the gentleman at the counter told us we need to have a separate ticket/s (all for their own costs), which we should have reserved months ago. He then told us there was no available trains for today... Luckily he corrected himself and said there was none available for eurail passes and we could pay in full. He also told us London isn't even part of eurail. Well I wish the person we'd talk to when we booked these passes had told us ANY OF THIS. Finally, all of the companies ONLY LET YOU BOOK IN PERSON in the countries they're active. How are you supposed to do that from America? Ironically, the only other flustered customer by the help desk was another American guy. Anyways, we were on our way and staying optimistic about the trains in the future.

We had no trouble wasting time at the station sitting in a cafe. We got on our trains with no trouble and I was pretty giddy to be riding a real big time train.

Our bags and backpacks fit perfectly above us and we got a little booth with fold out tables for the three of us. I also got the best snacks with what I had left in pounds. Strawberrys (best ones I've ever had maybe its because they are from 'Merica) which are pretty cheap here along with all other berries/fruit. I also got some wasabi peas that cleared my sinuses. 

The first train flew by with a lot of dark tunnels and ear popping and some pretty green and yellow fields. I was sad we couldn't stay longer in Brussels because I could have gone for waffles, chocolate and French fries. Although, there were waffles in the vending machine there. And a charging station were you have to petal for your charging energy. We got on our next train no problem, but we didn't have assigned seats because it was over booked, but they always assume about 20% of people don't show up. Until the first stop we were all together, but unfortunately people came to claim those seats and we all got broken up and there was no room for my luggage and I was a nervous mess with it in the storage area. Luckily the second to last stop a ton of people got off and we were able to get another both together and move my luggage above me (and bring a full sigh of relief). It was fun arriving seeing some of the canals and beautiful buildings.

We were able to figure out our next leg of our trip (to paris) at the station with one of the nicest women! She explained a lot of important information and said it was so rude and self centered that the people in London and Brussels didn't help us more! We got a discount on our next train and supposedly Italy should be much less expensive or even free because its all regional trains. Fingers crossed.

Our hostel is even better than the last! We have a bigger room with a big door window looking out on a canal and no bunk beds. It's also located right over a sports bar and we arrived at happy hour (buy one get one free on 1/2 pints or full pints of Heineken) and 20% off all food all the time! We indulged.

I was pleasantly surprised with the burger it had cucumbers, shredded carrots, lettuce and a special sauce. After we cleaned up in our very own bath room to go explore for the night. This wasn't too bad a view when we walked out...

We wandered down the two main streets and took in the wide array of people Amsterdam attracts. We also inadvertently noticed that the red light district perpendicularly crosses these streets... It wasn't as bad as I had in mind... I guess... Lots of lovely barely clothed ladies standing in doorways. We walked by the Bulldog Bar that was plays early 2000s America rap and it seemed like a winner to us! We had a great time and a little more Heineken.

(Check the new necklace.) We had a lovely first night and we can't wait to see what this city has to offer during the day time!