June 23

After a very long and cramped 10-hour flight from Seattle, I finally touched down in Amsterdam. To make a long flight even longer, the flight had nearly a 50 minute wait on the tarmac before pulling into the gate. I was so ready to get off the plane and get started on our adventure. I am also very fortunate that Ashley and Kleitia, both seasoned travelers, were on the same flight. I was very nervous about going through customs and finding my way out of the largest airport I have ever been in and making it to the Bicycle Hotel without getting lost. We met up at the gate and went through customs together and decided with the massive amount of luggage we had between the three of us, taking an Uber to the hotel was the best option. When we finally arrived at the hotel, we were able to check in and have a few minutes to relax before realizing we had to get our luggage up the steepest stairs I have ever seen. I knew that tall staircases in the Netherlands existed, but the stairs at the hotel were must steeper than I had expected. It’s one thing just walking up the stairs to your room, but I can’t say hauling a 40 pound suitcase up a flight has been my favorite experience so far.

This is my first time traveling internationally which is both nerve wracking and exciting. I really had no idea what to expect or what Amsterdam would be like. Two of my friends, Talia and Jack, had arrived a few days before and had the chance to scope out the best spots to eat and grab coffee near our hotel. After we checked into the hotel, I met up with Talia, Jack and Elaine to grab some food and walk around the neighborhood. It is really interesting to see how tall the buildings are and that they are all connected to each other. I can understand why the buildings need hooks to bring furniture through the windows. I also love how available outside seating is and how casual restaurants are. It is really nice to be able to sit and enjoy the people you are with without being rushed to pay the bill and leave the restaurant. The weather was absolutely beautiful today and was perfect for our orientation walk. Overall, the day was incredibly fun, relaxing, filled with adventure and as close to perfect as a first day in Amsterdam could have been.