These Boots Were Made for Walking - Day 3

FALL BREAK:
Amsterdam

Woke up on Sunday and journeyed to Hillsong Amsterdam!

Fishermen were out

It was held here, at a night club.

This sign is always so comforting.

It was a wonderful service and it was in English.  I love that I've been able to find a church community wherever I go.  It's really a true testament to the fact that God is everywhere.  I felt right at home and everyone was immediately so welcoming.  So much so that a woman asked if I'd like to sit next to her during service and then paid for my lunch afterwards as we conversed about our lives.  She also introduced me to many of her other friends, and one of them informed me of Berlin Connect, affiliated with Hillsong, that I would be able to visit the next week when in Berlin.  Everyone I met at Hillsong Amsterdam made my morning that much better, even though it was a bit rainy.

I then took a tram into Central Square and walked around a bit going inside a few churches and few shops along the way.  I then had to give in and buy a cheap umbrella because the rain was relentless.

I had to try one of these of course!

Tasted like fried dough.

Touristy shop with a lot of clogs.

Dam Square

City streets of Amsterdam

Lights for St. Nicholas' Day

Shopping mall which I browsed around in for a bit

I passed plenty of these coffee shops which are very characteristic of the Amsterdam city center

I then went back to my favorite place.  You guessed it, the Two Swans!  On Sunday nights they have live music and they wanted me to come back to sing some more songs.  This Sunday they had a pianist and sure enough we performed quite a few songs together.  Some jazz songs and some show tunes.  As before, people loved to sing along and we all had a jolly time.  After hanging for a bit there I said my goodbyes and headed off to dinner by myself, thinking that this would be last time at the pub.

I walked down the street and into this Dutch Kitchen that I had walked by several times and wanted to try.  As I entered the bar this man was singing New York, New York - I guess I was meant to be there:

When he walked by, I complimented him on his voice and after some discussion I soon found out that he was the brother of Trees - owner of the Two Swans!  What are the odds?!?  He was so sweet!

I then proceeded to eat dinner at a table by myself, but by no means was I alone.  Everyone in this tiny restaurant was very nice and before I knew it I had made friends with the people next to me.  After I had finished my sole fish, salad, and mash, they invited me over to their table to sit with them.

Again, they were the sweetest people, and quite hilarious.  They live outside of Amsterdam and had traveled in for the day as a weekend trip.

This was the waitress who I'm pretty sure didn't speak any English, but she had quite the personality that it didn't matter because I could understand everything.  She was certainly a jokester, as can be seen by her photo bomb  :)  

I sat with them while they ate and we talked about their travels to America and my travels in Europe.  They even invited me on their annual family skiing trip to Switzerland in February!  If only I could get back over here for it.  I'm sure it would be a blast!

I had the most delicious apple pie EVER!  Sorry America, but the Netherlands make a mean apple pie.

Me and my new friend Lars.  He was a very sweet boy.  Pretty sure his dad was trying to set us up, but I'm a bit old for him at this point in our lives.  Haha.  Nonetheless, we all had a great time at the Dutch Kitchen.  After they finished their desserts they invited me to head with them over to a pub down the street for one last drink.  I'll give you one guess where we went...

I was so glad!  I got to visit the Two Swans one last time.  It was even livelier than I had seen it before, as we were now there after dinner time as opposed to before.  We had a wonderful time and then said our goodbyes and I went back to the hostel after another magical day in Holland - my new favorite place with the friendliest people I've ever met.