Amsterdam, Volendam, Amsterdam

So - I have been quite the train traveler lately :) That is why I have not been able to update here much ... hopefully I can make it up to you readers with a nice post tonight.

After we got home from Belgium it was snowing... and it didn't stop. I believe it has snowed five inches here and it has frozen all the water so...
now we ICE SKATE :)

First, I will start with this week and past weekend because I guess it is Monday now. Crazy!

Well - after Belgium we took a field trip to Amsterdam - all 17 SPICE kids and 2 SPICE buddies - along with our fearless Professors.
We boarded the train around 915 am Tuesday morning and after an hour of delay we made it to Amsterdam. We walked through the Red Light District after we finally left the train and I was shocked to say the least. It was hard to look around and there were real women standing in the windows... that early in the morning.
I had a sick feeling in my stomach and I wanted to get out of the neighborhood asap. Its really sad ...
We went to grab some hot chocolate at an old building that I believe was the old trade building. Lekker hot chocolate. Seriously - one of my favorite things about Holland :)
We toured the building and I almost got left behind! I used the restroom and when I went outside everyone was gone! I ran to the corner to look down the street and they were way far ahead. I ran as fast as I could to catch up with everyone. Apparently , leaving people behind happens a lot... So that is my problem ;) I'll need to be quicker in the bathroom.
Then we went on a canal tour - I enjoyed it a lot but I can not wait to do it again when my parents are here and the weather is nicer.
After that we went toe Rijksmuseum where we saw a lot of old art :) It was very neat- I enjoyed looking at the colors and contrasts of the original paintings.
Its completely breathtaking and I am simply speechless.

After that we headed to the square and had some free time for a McDonalds McFlurry that was free because it was the Queens birthday! :) Happy Birthday, Queen! Yummy Apeltaart McFlurry for me!

After that we went to Anne Frank House - it was very moving for me to actually see where the Frank family hid during WWII. I have always been fascinated with the stories. The museum gave me goose bumps.

The field trip was very enjoyable and on the way home we had a four hour delay because someone jumped in front of the train and committed suicide - this is the second time that this has happened and I have heard about it since I have been here. It s very sad. It was a long night and once we finally got home we needed some hot chocolate again before the Jofer - Tuesday night is bar night for everyone. It was a chilly bike ride but it was so worth it :)

Wednesday I had the day off and I got to go ice skating with my host mom! It was so nice - I did not fall and I could keep up with her! She told me that ice skating is true Dutch culture here. I believe it because since the ponds, lakes, and rivers have frozen - I see way more people outside than ever!

Nothing eventful happened Wed-Thurs ... having days off is nice so I can work on homework, readings, etc. for school.

Its funny because Friday I woke up and it was snowing really hard - I had promised my host family that I was going to make them an American dinner. I got the recipie for "Sloppy Joes" because I figured it was midwest enough ...
I had all the correct ingredients but no chicken gumbo soup ... :( I went to after the snow slowed down and I was pleasantly surprised at how well biking in the snow went. I was sad to discover that chicken gumbo soup does not really exist here ... so I had to change plans.
I made chicken alfredo - so a little American Italian :)
I had some friends over that night and together we successfully set off the smoke detector while cooking - my host dad told me that out of three girls of his own I am the first to set of the smoke detector. I can not lie ... that was the second time since I have been here. I also set one off in my room when I was blow drying my hair :/
Whoops!
Good thing they work :)
The dinner was a success after finding out that the rolls had to be cooked first...
I almost served dough to my host family - but it really looked and felt like a cooked bun so I am so confused!
After all that craziness we went to my friend's birthday party at her house. She turned 21 and we had a lot of fun as a group since 21 is a big deal in America - its not so much here.
Instead of saying hip hip horaay here they say hiep hiep horaah!
Its pretty cute - and I was so excited to see cupcakes with frosting. Delicious!

Saturday I took a day trip to Volendam with my two friends and one of their host sisters :)
Volendam is where a lot of famous Dutch stars live so I thought we would see one - but sadly we did not :(
Volendam is a charming little village by the water. Its known for its fishing but since the lake was frozen I'm not sure what its known for ;)
We had a lot of fun in Volendam - we took a cheesy Dutch picture all dressed in Dutch costume. I may figure out how to scan it someday soon!
After Volendam I came back home for dinner with my host family. It was fun because I was able to meet my host-sister's husband and my host-brother.
The evening was very fun because we played Boggle together - English version ;) I failed miserably. I am sad to say... I was showed up by my host family that does not even speak English as their first language!
We were talking that evening and my host brother mentioned that he had an extra ticket to a concert Sunday evening at the concert hall in Amsterdam. I asked him which one and he told me it was Het Concert Gebouw- I was in shock! My brother Nathan told me that if I ever got the chance to go to a concert there I should take it because it has amazing acoustics :) I asked if I could come and he said YES!
The rest of Saturday night was a blast because my host family - 2 host sisters, 1 host brother in law, 1 host boy friend in law ;) all went out to a local bar here called the Flying Horse. This is also where all the SPICErs were hanging out for our friends 21st birthday so it was a great night!

Sunday was nice because we got to go ice skating on the river by Hattem. It was family event and afterwards we all enjoyed a nice cup of hot chocolate. :) It feels so nice to get some exercise and fresh air ice skating. After that I got all dressed up for the concert!

The performer was a countertenor and he was accompanied by a oboe, fagot, violin, cello - basically a small orchestra :)
It was a beautiful concert and building. It was packed full and the applause at the end of the night lasted FOREVER.

After the concert I stayed up until 5 to watch the superbowl with my host brother and his friends. It was fun and they made some american style food like BBQ chicken wings and nachos :) there was also plenty of Heineken ;)
They laughed at how much I didn't know about American football.
I slept a long time today and I have been attempting to start some homework :)
Tomorrow is class and of course... Joffer night!
Good night!