I’m looking forward to showing the beautiful city of Amsterdam and the friendly country of Holland (yes, there’s more to this place than the red-light district and cheese). But for now, I’m excited to share my most recent reunion.
Denise and I met by rooming together in Alicante Spain while studying Spanish last fall. Here we are a year ago. (Almost to the date!)
Then we got to see each other again when I passed through Holland about a month later. Here we are in Amsterdam where we dreamt that maybe someday we could gather again in a different country.
When you want something bad enough… You make it happen. Five months later we met at the front door of our own apartment while volunteering and studying in Buenos Aires.
A few from volunteering at a local orphanage.
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This is one of my favorites snap shots after getting our hair done by one the young girls… Gorgeous!
This is the location we met Ioni, another Dutch girl that happen to be in the same school. It was an easy friendship right off the bat as the three of us quickly connected and made priceless memories. I could make an entire post reminiscing of our month in Argentina… But here’s 3 pics instead.
Since both of the girls are from Holland, it was decided that we would reunite someday near Amsterdam. Viola! 6 months later we are getting ready for a night on the town!
A colorful night of bright smiles and positive people!
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This club played your typical American top 40 hits and a variety of who know what hits from Holland. I'm a fan of most music, however the Dutch music of the evening sent me directly back to the childhood memory of being at a carnival debating if I liked clowns or not… Weird.
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I’m only putting one photo of the actual city at night because I want to save the rest for the future amazing night life post!
Fun photo!
To recover from the 4am arrival of the evening seen above, we decided to hit a flea market on the outskirts for an entertaining walk. I didn’t snag any photos of Denise’s good friend Jella or her sister Manouk, but there will plenty more of them later.
To get to the market do we bus, train, cab or tram? Oh it’s convertible time!
We don’t need hats…we’re wild and crazy girls!
Ok, maybe a little hair control is needed…
Hmmm, just the bangs back?
All right, that’s it… Scarves it is!
The entrance is a small example of the popularity of bicycles here. It’s very typical to have more bicycles in a parking lot than cars.
Like most flea markets, there are vendors providing items for all of your needs… or at least what you think you need that day because its just so cheap! From house decor, clothes, appliances, and lawn decorations to food, treats and a farmers section for fresh fruit and vegetables.
We skimmed through the house decor and lawn section. (At least that’s what I think it was).
Stopped for a pic of this awkward set up.
After being entertained by the walking band and skipping the games, we sit to eat. This is a a Turkish pizza, a thin dough smeared with a light red sauce that’s open toasted on a grill. It’s then filled with lettuce, tomato, and cucumber with your choice of spicy garlic sauces and/or your pick of meat. First time for everything!
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After our meal we survive through the sweets with only a stop at a traditional Dutch pancake stand. Jella told them I was from America and had never experienced this delight before. I was handed a complimentary sample… Flag and all!
We end our mini adventure at the farmers market which of course is my favorite!
Finally a quick story. At the market we passed by this green cake that my friends starting raving about. After moments of watching them try to explain the magnitude of amazing this dessert was, we decided to grab a slice and split it so I could try what they considered to be one of the best!
Ooh I was so excited for this new fabulous flavor to hit my taste buds…
It was angel food cake.
(A sponge cake that Americans traditionally top with strawberries and cream.
Her Happy Trails 
🙂