Amsterdam is one of the other fun cities that I went to. Amsterdam is famous for a lot of things. Ill name a few of them: Heineken brewery, Van Gogh, Ann Frank, and of course the red light district and marijuana. I saw all of these and I would have to say they are all awesome, well except the marijuana. I smelt it coming from some of the coffee shops but I never went in.
The Heineken brewery was probably the best part of Amsterdam for me. It was set up very well and taught you everything you have ever wanted to know about the beer and the company. It didn’t cost a lot to get in and they gave you three free beers. (That might have been what I liked the most.) Other than that it was nice because they allowed you to experience things you never would think about. For example they had a room that you could sit down and have your own TV. With the TV you could pick which year you wanted to look at and they would show you the commercial they made for that year. It was in almost every language so you could understand it. They also had a great gift shop and even if you didn’t buy something they still gave you a gift when you left. I would suggest going there.
The Van Gogh museum was cool also. I would make sure you have longer than and hour or two to get through it. I went in and tried to do it in an hour and we had to run through some of the rooms. It was very interesting and kind of pricy. I would some day like to go back but it probably won’t be for awhile.
The Ann Frank house was really cool. I was always interested in her story and it was great to see where it all happened. It was rather hot inside and I can not imagine how bad it would have been to live there like they did. I was rushed though there also but I think I got all of it in. It was amazing. If you can I would read the book before you go because you will get more out of it.
Finally ill tell you about the red light district. It is very interesting. I walked through it twice and didn’t really stick around for very long. I am sure if I was with friends instead of family I would have stuck around longer but it was weird with my aunt there. The marijuana part I really don’t have the experience with that one. From what I heard of other people going to Amsterdam, it’s a good time and you need to try it. I don’t have much else to say about that.
I hope this helps in your travels and if you want more information please let me know Ill see what I can do. Thanks Andy Hennig
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Rome
Rome is one of the other major cities that I was fortunate to spend some time in. I personally only got to stay in Rome for about three days. For these three days I walked around Rome and saw things I have only seen in movies and until then just dreamed about seeing in real life. Now it is hard to believe that I have seen what I have. Luckily I took several hundred pictures. None of these pictures do Rome justice.
My favorite site in Rome was the Roman Coliseum. I have always been interested in this and after watching the movie gladiator I have really wanted to see it first hand. I was unfortunate to have to see the Coliseum when it was raining. Still it was the most amazing thing I saw on my trip. To be where so many people had been before and so long ago was awesome. The architecture and engineering of the Coliseum was so precise and perfect that I was speechless. The rain really didn’t ruin the day for me. If anything it scared a few hundred people away and let me walk around with more room to see the Coliseum.
Almost everything in Rome is within walking distance. The only thing that I didn’t walk to was the Vatican. To get to the Vatican we took the underground. This was easy even though everything was in Italian. In fact for the most part you don’t even have to pay to get on. If nobody is standing at the gates than you can just walk on and have a free ride. The Vatican is also an amazing site to see in Rome. Everything is like a picture and everything is just so old. The best room in the Vatican is obviously Sistine Chapel. However this was the most crowded room and it was very hot. I personally don’t understand why they would allow that room to get so hot, I would think the paint would start to come off or something. Also they don’t allow pictures to be taken in this room. This is posted everywhere but you can get away with taking pictures. They have a few security guards walking around telling you to put your camera down, they never take it away or anything like that.
My favorite site in Rome was the Roman Coliseum. I have always been interested in this and after watching the movie gladiator I have really wanted to see it first hand. I was unfortunate to have to see the Coliseum when it was raining. Still it was the most amazing thing I saw on my trip. To be where so many people had been before and so long ago was awesome. The architecture and engineering of the Coliseum was so precise and perfect that I was speechless. The rain really didn’t ruin the day for me. If anything it scared a few hundred people away and let me walk around with more room to see the Coliseum.
Almost everything in Rome is within walking distance. The only thing that I didn’t walk to was the Vatican. To get to the Vatican we took the underground. This was easy even though everything was in Italian. In fact for the most part you don’t even have to pay to get on. If nobody is standing at the gates than you can just walk on and have a free ride. The Vatican is also an amazing site to see in Rome. Everything is like a picture and everything is just so old. The best room in the Vatican is obviously Sistine Chapel. However this was the most crowded room and it was very hot. I personally don’t understand why they would allow that room to get so hot, I would think the paint would start to come off or something. Also they don’t allow pictures to be taken in this room. This is posted everywhere but you can get away with taking pictures. They have a few security guards walking around telling you to put your camera down, they never take it away or anything like that.
London
London is an amazing city. It is one of me favorite cities in the world. I loved how big it was and how easy it was to get around. There is so much to see in London that I think you could be there for two weeks and not see everything. I am going to talk about the main things that I saw.
First I was lucky enough to get a tour of the Parliament building. This building was amazing and the history behind each room was intense. To know that the kings and queens of England had stood where you are standing was amazing. I couldn’t believe the history that has taken place there and the tradition of everything that happens inside. If you have the chance I suggest you go and look at it because the amount of marble and gold inside is ridiculous.
Another site that is a must see in London is St. Paul’s Cathedral. I suggest getting a tour when you are inside because you will learn much more than just walking around. For example you will learn how it is the third Cathedral to be on that spot and you can learn how it was saved from bombs during the war. I also suggest that you walk all 435 steps, or however many there are. It is worth it because the view you get can not be beaten. The view of London from that high is amazing and you can see for miles. When you are on the inside and on the first platform on the way up you have to try and talk to someone on the other side. You can actually talk next to the wall and someone on the other side can hear you if their ear is against the wall. This is because the wall goes in a circle. It is a lot more fun than it sounds.
Something else that you need to do if you get the chance is see the Queen and or the Royal family. When I was there it was the Queens birthday and she had a parade. The amount of people that showed up was amazing and can not really be described. You and I don’t really think about this but some people live there life only wanting to see the Queen once. Also taking a tour of one of the castles is a must. Seeing how they lived along time ago and how they are still living in them today is just crazy. Learning how they used to use pluming or the lack of it is rather interesting also. Also how they used to protect the castle and how they still have to keep the castle in good shape. I learned that the family that owns the castle has one purpose in life and that is to make money to keep the castle in good shape.
If what you have read hear was interesting and helpful for you than check out my website. I have more information about traveling abroad and will put more cities and sites up as time goes on. Thanks for reading.
Andrew Hennig
Studenttravel255@gmail.com
www.freewebs.com/studenttravel255/
First I was lucky enough to get a tour of the Parliament building. This building was amazing and the history behind each room was intense. To know that the kings and queens of England had stood where you are standing was amazing. I couldn’t believe the history that has taken place there and the tradition of everything that happens inside. If you have the chance I suggest you go and look at it because the amount of marble and gold inside is ridiculous.
Another site that is a must see in London is St. Paul’s Cathedral. I suggest getting a tour when you are inside because you will learn much more than just walking around. For example you will learn how it is the third Cathedral to be on that spot and you can learn how it was saved from bombs during the war. I also suggest that you walk all 435 steps, or however many there are. It is worth it because the view you get can not be beaten. The view of London from that high is amazing and you can see for miles. When you are on the inside and on the first platform on the way up you have to try and talk to someone on the other side. You can actually talk next to the wall and someone on the other side can hear you if their ear is against the wall. This is because the wall goes in a circle. It is a lot more fun than it sounds.
Something else that you need to do if you get the chance is see the Queen and or the Royal family. When I was there it was the Queens birthday and she had a parade. The amount of people that showed up was amazing and can not really be described. You and I don’t really think about this but some people live there life only wanting to see the Queen once. Also taking a tour of one of the castles is a must. Seeing how they lived along time ago and how they are still living in them today is just crazy. Learning how they used to use pluming or the lack of it is rather interesting also. Also how they used to protect the castle and how they still have to keep the castle in good shape. I learned that the family that owns the castle has one purpose in life and that is to make money to keep the castle in good shape.
If what you have read hear was interesting and helpful for you than check out my website. I have more information about traveling abroad and will put more cities and sites up as time goes on. Thanks for reading.
Andrew Hennig
Studenttravel255@gmail.com
www.freewebs.com/studenttravel255/
Monday, November 5, 2007
When you are studying or traveling abroad you will have to get around somehow. In most cases you will travel by bus, train, or plane when you are going long distances. Booking these in advance is always recommended. For the shorter trips, like traveling from you hotel or hostel to a museum or monument, you can walk or ride local transportation. Taxies are often expensive but you know exactly where it will drop you off and you shouldn’t have to walk far. Your other choices are train or bus. I personally really liked the underground trains like the tube systems in Rome and London. You can get anywhere in the city and if you think it through you can be there faster than the buses in most cases. I didn’t mind the buses but I did prefer the underground. Buses are not that reliable on time and it seems like you always stop way to much. Also if you don’t know exactly where you need to get off then you can run into problems. I got off early a few times and had to walk along ways to where I needed to go. I also had to back track a few times because I would be spacing out and miss my stop. Also be warned that the buses may not stop at every bus stop. If nobody is waiting to get on and nobody pushes the button to get off than it will not stop. This is why I liked the tube systems better. They always tell you what stop is next and where you are. There are also maps everywhere inside the train and out so that you don’t get lost and you can find your way around.
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