2440 or Amsterdam...same diff.

Shocking news: we did not be win the "best halloween costume" for 2007. Even more shocking, we did not even dress up because these lame Spaniards don't celebrate what most would consider the best college holiday. Instead, we spent the day packing for Amsterdam and feasting on Kit's halloween package and Deb's halloween candy (you jerks are making it hard for us to come back looking sexy.) Thursday morning we caught our flight to Frankfurt and would not have minded staying one night in the German city with all of the tall, blonde, blue eyed Aryans. Our delayed flight eventually took off and after a quick 45 minutes, we landed in the Dam of Amster.

Upon our arrival we found our hostel. Room 11 or Anne Frank's hideout...same diff. We left Megan at home with her parents for the weekend so the two of us and Jess were crammed in a 2x4 with only one bunkbed and a matress laying the ground. The only benefit of our hostel was that it was in the center of everything so we met our friends (who were staying in a different hostel) at a bar close by. After deciding to call it a night, we were drawn by the blue strobe lights and Dutch anthems booming from inside bar Surprise. When we entered, we were literally surprised. After watching huddles of Dutch men belting out their country's jams, followed by favorites such as "It's Raining Men," by the Spice girls, and ABBA's "Dancing Queen," we looked around to realize that we were the only chicas in the bar...SURPRISE...it was a gay bar. A wild time, nonetheless, we stayed longer than expected pretending to know the words to the Dutch songs and making some Dutch friends. DUTCH.

Our friend, Matt from Joe's (who is teaching English to little German kinder) also met us in the land of the Nethers (we told you that you would get some airtime). We met him for the free breakfast of bread and butter at the hostel then off we treked to fulfill Beth's seventh grade dream of visiting Anne Frank's humble abode...and humble it was...but not quite as humble as our 2x4. We toured the mini quarters and at the end we sent our Padres some video footage of our cultural activities. We lifted our spirits by sampling Amsterdam's famous crapes...which were less than stellar. The waffles were far more superior. We topped off our day of culural experiences by visiting the Van Gogh museum. Mesmerized by some of Vanny's materpieces, Becca finally found a favorite painting called "Sunflowers." Don't worry Kit, I'm not stealing your favorite flower...my new favorite now also comes from one of Goghseph's paintings, "Irises." Next, we went back to our hostel for a brief nap before a night on the town.

We got dolled up...in what most would consider not such a "Betha" outfit...spandex and skinny jeans have grown on us madrilenas. We lent our 2x4 and shower con flipflops to our homeless Spanish friend, Victor. Surprise! We got a few dranks at Surprise, the Escamplero of Amsterdam. Then we headed to Amsterdam's biggest club, Escape. Anne, you would have definately wanted to escape. On stage there was a combination of dancing mimes dressed as transvestites with clown faces on. For some reason, we didn't think it was weird at the time. We boogied through the night to the techno beat and had a romantic walk home as the sun was rising.

BAGELS! We had them for breakfast! We walked around and nearly died several times as Amsterdam's crazy women bikers swooshed past us. Lee Ann, you would have fit in perfectly because everyone was just as sick at bike riding as you. Come to think of it, we give you more props. The beach chair, towel, and beach bag in hand, radio on the shoulder, and one (or both) of us on your handle bars is hard to beat. You go girl! Unfortunatly the bike rental places were sold out so we didn't get to bike around in true Dutch fashion. We visited the infamous Red Light District...when in Amsterdam. A serious EEF had by all. Jess was lured by the legal prostitution but being the good Catholic girls that we are, we said, "NO JESS, PLEASE NO!" Kidding, the trashy sluhas were easy to pass up...even for Matt.

After a full day of city gandering, we went out again and met some London lads. They did not hesitate to bust the chops of an Italian creep who remembered Beth from the night before. He came to be known as "The Godfather." Despite popular belief, Beth must have some killer dance moves, unforgettable to middle aged Euro men who pick their nose...AND wear glasses. (NOTHING to worry about, Tombase!) We woke up early to get to the airport...but apparently, not early enough. We officially had our first "sprint to the gate" airport run. (Beth is laying on my best doing situps right now.) We made it just in time for our flight back to MC's house. This weekend, Suzy will be visiting from Ireland so we will get a chance to repay her for the awesome time she showed us there.