the three most interesting things I did in amsterdam...

On my recent three-day trip to Amsterdam, I combined work and play, along with new and old. Amsterdam is always worth a trip, no matter how short or long, but this time I wanted to squeeze in a couple of new experiences in order to get to know the city better.

Since I'm always looking for tips and ideas of what to see when I head to a new city, I thought I would share the 3 most interesting things I did on my most recent visit.

1) I took a boat tour...of course. There are more canals and waterways in Amsterdam than there are in Venice, so I had to get on the water. In fact, I have gone on a boat tour every time I've been here, but each time it feels new. I just can't get enough!

The perspective from a city's river is always unique, but in Amsterdam one gets a whole new scale of originality. Some of the canals are so narrow that you feel like you're cruising the veins; the lifeblood of the city. The vibrant history of how the Dutch created a dam and the ensuing canals is ingenious, and fascinating. Basically, the Amstel River flooded one day and the people of the little town thought, 'huh, cool...now there are all these fun waterways, why don't we keep it like this all the time!' The original dam is now covered by the Damrak, the long main avenue in the centre of Amsterdam.

As Amsterdam grew, the Dutch created companies, such as the East India Company in the year 1600, so forward-thinking and ahead of their time, that they not only took control of new markets, they created them. It wasn't only water that began to flow freely through the lanes of Amsterdam, but money, goods, and sailors.

So, do what I did, and lean back on the red vinyl bench of a canal boat, or press your face against the window pane, and listen to the thrilling history of this city for yourself, while you cruise up and down Herrengracht, Prinzengracht and all of the other grachts...it probably won't be your last time.

2) On the Sunday morning I toured the Rjiks Museum. You just have to. Whether you're young, old, rich or poor, this is one great experience. This is like the only museum in the entire world where you can take as many photos as you want, and then do whatever you want with them! It's quite extraordinary. Buy your tickets for the museum online ahead of time to avoid the lines, and get to the museum before 11am so that you can enjoy actually seeing some paintings, instead of just other tourists' backs. And then snap away...that's what I did!

All of the Dutch masters are here...which really means, all of the world's masters are here. Vermeer, Rembrandt, Cuyp, Bol, Van Gogh, Rubens, Steen...and also one of my favourite paintings hangs here, Vermeer's 'The Milkmaid'. I took a photo.

'The Milkmaid' - Johannes Vermeer

Another cool thing about this museum is their interest in wanting you and I, and everyone else, to use art and incorporate it into our own, everyday lives. In the museum, they want you to get into the paintings, learn everything you can about them and really experience the artwork. On their website, you can create your very own Rjiksstudio - collecting your favourite pieces of art onto your own platform, so that you can look at it whenever you want.

Large cards are provided to give detailed information about the artwork displayed - so handy!

And, as I already mentioned, you can take photos of any of the artwork in the museum and do whatever you want with them. Now, it's not as if the museum is thrilled when Van Gogh's self-portrait lands on a million coffee mugs around the world, or 'The Last Judgement' is turned into a dog pillow, but, if people, young and old, with dogs or without, are interacting and investing in the art then the Rjiks Museum says 'go ahead!'...

... transform your favourite work of art (and believe me, you will find a favourite here) into a tablecloth you will love to stare at over dinner, or a hat that everyone will look at when you walk down the street. And if you can't come up with any ideas, the museum already has some (of course). The funniest thing I saw, was Rembrandt's arguably most famous painting, 'The Night Watch' transformed into a playmobil set. So cute!

3) And though not the best segue, from Playmobil to the Red Light District, the last but certainly not least highlight of my recent weekend in Amsterdam (seriously), was the Offbeat Walking Tour of the Red Light District, led by a very knowledgeable local. Don't worry, the following photos are all VSFW (very safe for work).

I wanted to go on this tour because I didn't understand how sweet, beautiful Amsterdam got this reputation as THE place to host every European guy's bachelor party. I just didn't understand, because I don't know any drugged-up, sexed-up Dutch people. All of the Dutch people I know are completely normal, sweet and simple folks. They have an elegant style; a bit Ralph Lauren meets JCrew, and I just didn't get how this world-famous district for drugs and sex wound up in a city as lovely as Amsterdam.

So, I decided to go on a walking tour, promised as offbeat and historical, and fun...led by a really nice, really entertaining local Dutch guy. Our group ended up being a mixture of couples, friends and many females. Most of us were just interested in learning more about this part of the city...or just curious, but too afraid to go wandering about alone. Fair enough.

Well, to simplify the history of the district, it all comes back down to the money and sailors that started to flood Amsterdam in the 17th century. Combine that with the Dutch mentality of innovative, tolerant thinking and you have an environment of 'to each his (or her) own'. Basically, the Dutch are a very non-judgemental folk, and so as long as you aren't hurting anyone else, go ahead and do whatever you want.

Our guide explained it to us this way, the women who decide to work in the Red Light industry (named that way for the brothels lit by red lights to let men know where they are) are tolerated, without judgement. Each woman has her own business license and a panic button in case they need help. The police station is located within these few red-lit blocks in order to keep the women safe.

Our guide, who has interviewed many of the women, said that for someone to get into this line of work, of course there is most often a difficult and painful history, often involving abuse or addiction, or both. He said that the hope is that when the women get enough money together and have a stable, safe income that they will choose another line of work; a healthier one. But, it is left up to each of them to do as they see fit, with many resources and support readily available. The city, and the residents who live within the red light district, (because yes, there are families and daycares and normal activities happening here - it's smack dab in the middle of the old town) treat each other with respect. And, you know, I really respect that.

Now, I could go on about the disgusting behaviour I saw from groups of guys towards each other, but that would be a whole other blog, and not a fun one for me to write. Some men should just never drink alcohol....but that's another story.

I'm glad that I got to know more sides of Amsterdam - it really is such a special city. I hope to get back soon!

bring on the new year...it's okay, I can handle it

Hello 2017!

I know I'm early...this being Europe and not Australia, but I just can't wait. And judging by the constant social media feeds, news bulletins and my friends' incessant whining, I think everyone else is also ready for a new year.

I'm not really a new year's resolutions type of girl, so no worries, this post is not going to be a list of all the ways in which I want to lose weight or quit smoking (if I smoked). Mostly it's because I'm not very disciplined (I type as my unfinished book stares at me from the shelf above me) and after 3 weeks, 3 hours, 3 minutes, I usually bail on my resolutions thinking that they'll still be around for me to try next week, next month, or next year.

But, what I do want to tell you (on the one hand for accountability, and on the other, hopefully for inspiration) is what I hope to be in 2017, and to quote Oprah, I want to be the best me. Don't click away now! Stay with me....please...just a few more words.

What I mean is, that I don't want to waste time and energy anymore. Life just feels too fleeting. I want to be the best person that I can be, meaning that;

1) I want to make the lives of the people around me as good as I possibly can, in whatever little ways I can do that.

2) I want to live to my full potential...creatively, professionally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. Just not wasting time.

(And don't get me wrong, there is a reason that I need to write this down. I'm inherently lazy. I can easily netflix all day and do nothing but eat and talk to my puppy. This message is really first and foremost for me.)

3) I want to be a benefit to my community, my partner, said puppy, to myself, my loved ones, etc, etc.

And yes, you're reading this correctly, there is an annoying amount of I-language here. But, that's actually the way it should be, because the power to do these things lie solely with me (and if you're going to jump on the bandwagon, then the power is with you!). The power to affect change for the better, to be a positive and beneficial creature, lies within each of us.

I do have the power to change things around me for the better...in my workplace, my community, my home. We all do....and yet so many people go through life acting like things only affect them, like it's a one-way street.

When I look back on 2016, this is the most influential quality which I see. The attitude of blame was (and is) affecting change like nothing I have experienced so far. The movement of pointing fingers as THE reason for umemployment, inflation, crime, housing prices, poor-quality education levels, and the list goes on and on, created Brexit and Trump and who knows what else to come. But, it has to stop.

We need to look at ourselves and take stock of how the decisions that we've made have effected the paths we are on, the jobs we have or can't have, how connected to the community we feel or don't.

And then, we need to make positive changes for ourselves and for those around us. Not everyone's voice is heard, but everyone has a voice. It's selfish really. If I spend a lot of time and energy making myself into a healthy, well-adjusted, happy person, then those around me will benefit much more than if I'm an angry, mean-spirited, resentful person who feels like crap all the time because of my bag-o'-chips-a-day diet.

If I try to get to know my neighbours, invite people over once in a while, bring someone a cake or just smile (in a normal, non creepy way) the community will benefit. Getting to know each other usually creates security.

How can we make use of our time and energy in the best ways? Can you imagine what the world would look like if everyone seriously was just trying to be a positive impact on those around them, and themselves?

I once heard a celebrity answer the question to why his Hollywood marriage was so successful (not sure if he's still married) and he said that his daily motto was, 'Be kind.' Those two little words stuck with me. Let's just all be kind to each other, okay?

That's going to be my 2017 goal...kindness, positive choices, and a better me.

I'm excited and inspired for the new year, and I hope you are too. Wishing you and yours a peaceful and positive 2017!