Brussels-Antwerp-Rotterdam-Den Haag

Between Brussels and Amsterdam there is not much to say, but I am still going to fill in the blanks to get you up to speed.

We first stopped in Antwerp, the supposed diamond trading capital of the world. We only stayed for a few hours, but during this time we saw no less than 15 different diamond stores and showcases in one square kilometer. We had our first Belgian waffles, and left for Rotterdam.

Rotterdam was our first step into the Netherlands. The most noticeable thing was the copious amount of bicycles. I had read that Amsterdam has a ton of bikes, but when we first arrived in Rotterdam I was hard-pressed to believe any other place could have more in such a small area. Taking some leftover bread we had saved from Strasbourg, we went and fed some birds on a bridge. Rotterdam is a very pretty city and has a much more small-town feel than the other places we have visited. The only real peculiarity I noticed was the public urinals for men. They were literally TOTALLY public.

We got a small bite to eat at Mcdonald's, but essentially simply to use the restroom. While there, this 2 year old boy started talking to me in Dutch while watching All Dogs Go To Heaven. To him, what he had to tell me seemed very important, so I listened attentively. Try as I might, I couldn't understand him...because he had his pacifier in his mouth...yeah. I quickly took my leave when I noticed his grandmother glaring at me.

We went to a street market to look at the wares. I saw a tent selling some tasty looking chicken, and Laura agreed that we should have some. Unfortunately for me, I did not even know how to count to 2 in Dutch. I decided I would go with French first. "Parlez-vous Francais?" I received a no. Oh good! They must speak English! "Do you speak English?" A woman in the tent began laughing and said, "Nooooo." I was screwed. I pointed at the chicken and held up two fingers and I was served with a wink. At least I knew "Danke" from the trash cans at McDonald's.

Before setting out on the trip I wanted to see The Hague really bad, but when we arrived in Den Haag, I changed my mind. I simply wanted to go on to our last stop...

Amsterdam.