Traveling with Mr. Golden Underwear.
Today was an Amsterdam good day. We started out seeing the only within city limits windmill. While it once was an operating windmill, now it’s been repurposed into a beer garden. In a way, it’s become a Windmilli Vanilli. (Girl, you know it’s true!)
Next, despite my protests on Scott’s choice of sights to see, at our next stop, I got to pet a lemur. No, we didn’t return to the red light district where petting a lemur is 15 Euros more than sticking your finger in the Dyke. No, we went to the zoo and hands down, paws down, and even hooves down; it was the best zoo that I ever visited. We were allowed to actually go inside many of the animals’ cribs, so monkeys, lemurs, and red pandas were even closer to us than little Otto and Klaus being pushed in their strollers. In fact, we were so close that we actually overheard this private conversation between the Kudo and the Ostrich pictured above.
Merline-an ostrich speaking to Madeline, a Kudo: “I just think that destiny brought us together and we were meant to spend our futures together. Sure, I’m from Pakistan and you’re from Africa, but our love is strong enough to overcomes our differences. Let love win!”
Madeline the Kudo: “Society will never accept our love; a love that dare not speak its name. I love you, but Damn it! We aren’t even in the same Phylum! Their bigotry will tear us apart!”
Merline the Ostrich: Love is more than feather or fur deep. We have lots in common. We are both vertebrates. We can make this work from that starting point. We don’t need anyone else, just each other.”
Madeline the Kudo: “Pull your head out of the sand! The World will not accept our love. Our differences are far too great. Sure, maybe if I was an emu, I could bring you home to my parents. Although it breaks my heart, I must let you go. Fly, be free.”
Merline the Ostrich: “Now, that’s just cruel. You know I can’t fly. Goodbye, my love!(End Scene)
After the zoo, we walked around the city and to the flower markets stopping for lunch. Scott took out his credit card to pay for us both, but I suggested that we just go Dutch. It was Gouda him to offer though.
What distinguishes Amsterdam from other cities is the prevalence of bicycles and pot smoking. It really took me back to Middle School. Wait! If I rode my bike to get high back then, was I really in Amsterdam? (Wow, that blew my mind! Deep!). The cyclists are already crazy and add weed to the mix and there’s a lot of CUIs (cycling under the influence). In fact, Scott and I saw a bike crash, because a woman forgot to pass the dutchy on the left hand side.
After a nice boat ride in the canals, we rushed back to the ship before it left for the English Channel as we will end our trip in London. It’s been a Helluva Amsterdam good time!
Rubber Chicken 