Day 6 - Museum Day

After some seriously needed moments of relaxation yesterday we awoke today, bright eyed and bushy tailed ready for fun! We were determined to make the most of our last day in the 'Dam. On the list was connection with the two wheeled folk and a ride around town. Once we rented our two wheeled machines, lowered the seats as they were fitted for 6'5" men, we were off...avoiding cars, trams, other cyclists, pedestrians and most of all trying to keep our wits about us. Poor Danielle had a wobbly start and at one point looking back to check on Jenna's whereabouts nearly ran into a trash can. Of course, having to up her, I nearly clipped a bus later on that afternoon.First stop, the Van Gough museum. He has always interested me and it was incredible to go to a museum dedicated not only to his slim 10 years of work but also to his life and his close relationship with his brother, who died only 6 months after his untimely passing. His fascination with art prompted him to study with many different artists of the time and therefore his work comprised of several different techniques that varied throughout his career. What was so interesting was to see the evolution of his work and his progression as a professional and deeply disturbed artist.
After so much intellect it was high time for a beer. So we headed straight to the Heineken Museum for an 'experience' of a lifetime. The generations of folks over at Heineken have really perfected their marketing strategy and it shows through their extensive tour. First a history lesson and some of best retro beer poster's I've ever seen and then off to a plethora of different activities showing you just how that golden ale is perfected. Definitely have a whole new respect for Heini's now that I've seen it all in action. And of course...best way to win over a crowd, provide them with ice cold beer throughout the tour! Yes please, can I have another?
3 beers each, in less than an hour, on an empty stomach, made for some really interesting bike riding skills on the way to the next museum, but don’t worry we all made it safely back over to the Red Light District! Our last stop of the day was the hemp and marijuana museum which wasn’t as kept up as we had hoped but the information we were provided is something that you need for any good cocktail party.

Information that I will now try to share with anyone who is listening and is interested...
Apparently the colonial government, when America was first being settled, required settlers to grow hemp and they used it to make ship sails and paper. If they didn’t grow cannibus they were threatened with fines and forfeiture of property. Hemp was also often used for money and when Spain opened the Mississippi river for trade, hemp was the official item of exchange (money). Canvas tops for covered wagons were also made with hemp as well as the original Levi’s jeans because the type of hemp fabric they used called Duck was water repellent. The Declaration of Independence and the US constitution were drafted and debated on hemp paper. Also George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin were all hemp farmers. Each navy ship used about 60 tons of hemp for their sails and rigging ropes. Flags and military uniforms also used hemp.Danielle brought up a very good question when she asked, "What did they do with the other parts of the cannibus plant, were Ben Franklin and George Washington blazing one up while they made important decisions for this country?" Hmm…very interesting!

Once our explanation of all things Cannibus came to an end we decided to head over to another coffee shop and hang out for a few minutes. The one notable experience from this evening was the 4 gentlemen who insisted on sitting right next to us, since clearly the other 40 seats not being occupied weren't good enough. The conversation that ensued is truly priceless and really shows you just how ignorant you can be in any given situation. The guys started speaking to us in an unrecognizable tongue. As the three of us sat there absolutely baffled, Jenna finally mustered up the courage to ask them what on earth they were speaking. The guys looked as us like we were from Mars and slowly enunciated the word, "English." Through the uproar of laughter they tried to tell us they were from Liverpool, in ENGLAND! ha

My observations about the ducks wading in the canals of the Red Light District - These are the red light district lady ducks and they're waiting to flaunt their feathers to any male ducks who swim by!

Nathalie - “Yes, I never say no to beer through a straw”

Jenna - “Was that man intoxicated, special, or foreign”

Jenna - "They short sheeted me!"

Just a little hat's off to the girls and I who have managed to be incredibly diverse in our food selection throughout this trip. We have eaten Sushi, Italian, Thai, Japanese, Greek, Egyptian, English (pub food), Seafood, Super fresh seafood from market, and Mexican.