I took a bus to Amsterdam. And since I didn't print my ticket, I have to use the computer there to print and I feel like I have been downgraded to something similar to a cavewoman cos the keyboard there is entirely different from what I'm used to and I just hate it so much. I spent a full minute trying to figure out how to get the @ to come out (which button do I push together with the other button!) After a full 10 minutes of struggle (the lady behind me kind enough to let me struggle with it, even if I asked her if she wanna go first cos I know I will be probably spending three years on it) I finally got it to print. After printing, I went to get food. I got a gigantic baguette that later became my breakfast, brunch, lunch, and early dinner. It's huge and I can't finish it in one sitting. So I checked in and everything, I went to sit and wait. And then a woman came up to me and asked if I can help her look after her bag cos she wanna go to the toilet. In my head I was like 'BOMB! RUN!' but then the nice part of me smiled and said 'sure' (if I die one day in a terror attack, it's because I am too nice and I don't know how to reject people) so she went to the toilet and I was so anxious and scared I kept on checking on ticking noises or anything similar to it. Then she came back and I was like 'I want to thank every god and my parents and my dogs and my man that I didn't die' She thanked me and I ran to my gate.
So I boarded my bus and I passed out. Cos that's what I do to pass time in a ~10 hours bus ride. But after that little nap, I couldn't sleep anymore. So I just stare out the window. We stopped at a gas station and I got myself a disgusting tea and waffles. I had to buy something cos I wanna use the toilet and the toilet was 0.50 euro and I don't have 0.50 euro on me so I HAVE TO buy something. I hate the toilets here seriously. Oh and German has officially messed with my head cos now everytime I see the word 'euro', I don't say 'eww-ro' like most people, I say 'oi-ro' cos German. And I say everything that has 'eu' as 'oi'.
German.
Love it.
So to get to Amsterdam, we have to pass Belgium, so it means I've been to four countries during my little trip. Even if it's just passing by in a bus, but still. We passed through Mons, Breda, Antwerp, and also Brussles (I forgot what order but those are the places) In Breda, a French guy started arguing with the driver, which I assume is about the time cos they keep on pointing at their watches. It was intense, and weird. You know I get scared during arguments so I try my best to stay invisible. So after the long long LONG bus ride (I took a bus cos it's cheaper than everything else) we finally arrived in Amsterdam and I am glad to have met Kim and Vadis, A Vietnamese girl and an American boy. They were really nice and we struggled a bit to get the Metro tickets. Okay, I have to say that I am pretty good with Metros since I've navigated through so many metros in so many countries on my own no problem, but the one in Amsterdam just confused me to no end. Lucky there's a local there that helped us, THANK YOU SO MUCH HUI! I got a day pass so I can go around 24 hours with that. So then Kim went to another place, leaving me and Vadis trying to navigate, but then Hui saw us on the wrong side of the platform and we had to go to the other side cos we're lost haha. But then after we got to the right platform, my stupid pillow fell on the initial platform we were on and Hui had to go and help me retrieve it. It's so embarassing and so funny. Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH HUI! Vadis had to board another train so we said goodbye and he left, leaving me and Hui there. We had a nice chat, and it was honestly the first conversation I've had since I came to Europe. It was nice. And then I got to my station.
Sloterdijk.
I love it.
The sky there is so pretty. And everyone was so helpful and I appreciate each and everyone of them with all of my heart. And the best thing about the metro here is that THEY HAVE LIFTS!! An elder lady pointed to me the way to the lift and I am grateful. An African man helped me with the the directions to go to Tram 12 (which he says I can walk to wherever I need to go actually butI have gigantic bags and a day pass so I think I'll fully utilise the day pass thanks) and then I had to struggle a bit with my bags cos the way to Tram 12 has no lifts. Or is there a lift and I was just too blind to see?
Anyways.
I got there and there's an old gentleman. He asked me if I wanna go to this hotel which is a Japanese hotel and I said no. Of course he then asked me if I was Japanese which I said I'm not. I told him I'm Malaysian and he then had the audacity, the nerve to say that Malaysia is such an insignificant country like Filipin and I was like EXCUSE ME OLD MAN I WILL FIGHT YOU and then proceed to tell me Malay is the same as Indonesian, which I politely told him no it's not. He said it's like Dutch and German, so if you know one then you know the other. So Malay is Indonesian. I say no darling love honey baby sweetcakes no it's not. Then he said yes it is. And that, my friend, is how I got mansplained.
How could a Malaysian possibly KNOW what kind of language we speak there?
So anyways, I boarded my Tram and got to my place. Bid goodbye to the tram conductor and the stupid old man and proceeded to walk to my hostel. It's near to the tram station so I am thankful. It's a gigantic building and it has been fully booked for the night.
Amazing.
In short, I got there. Showered. Didn't bother eating. And just slept.
So that is my entire day yesterday. Nothing special, but still it's amazing. Great experience. Amsterdam is so beautiful, friendly people, and has funny metro station signs. I love it so much.
Can't wait to explore the city later.
VAN GOGH MUSEUM I AM COMING FOR YOU!!
Smooches,
Delilah
