The Netherlands

I just got back from The Netherlands about three days ago, and it was really a great trip. I don't have many pictures because my camera died shortly after we arrived... but I will post the pictures I DO have. I was fourtunate to stay with my friend Belen's Aunt and cousins, who showed us around Amsterdam. We did a lot of bike riding around the city, which was a whole new experience for me, but was so much fun. I can't tell you how many "tourists" I almost hit! haha. I also got to see the house that Anne Frank and her family hid during the war. On New Years Eve we got together with some friends of Belen's cousins. I also got to do a tradition from Ecuador, which was really interesting and fun! Overall, great trip. Lot's of fun times getting to know Belen's family, and really learning about Dutch people and culture! The Netherlands is really different from France. The people, the diversity, the food, and just their way of life. I am so glad I got to make this trip. I am also really thankful that I got to stay with Belen's cousins and Aunt because I didn't feel as much like a tourist, instead I really learned about their way of life, and got to meet a lot of dutch people... who by the way speak excellent English!



7 hours, 17 minutes, and 15 seconds until the New Year!! Amsterdam...

Laurens and I on New Years Eve

Belen and her cousin Jessica


Jessica and her boyfriend "chicho"


This is us on New Years making the "old man", we stuffed some old clothes with newspaper. after we burned it in the streets to burn away all the bad things that happened in 2007 and start a fresh year. We also jumped over it for good luck. It's a tradition in Ecuador. It was so much fun.





Belen and I kissing the "old man" we made


Belen with "the man"


Me with "the man"


Chicho with the finished product


Jessica and Belen jumping over it for good luck!


The house where Anne Frank and her family hid during the war



Anne's room

Anne's diary

The book case that hid the secret annex

We found this interesting. One big food vending machine??

What a great invention...

The streets of Amsterdam







Belen, her friend Simon, and her cousins Jessica and Ricardo.

Some more sights of Amsterdam



Us on the train