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Our small group of 6 arrived in Amsterdam late Monday night, and headed straight for the hostel we'd booked. We were rather dismayed to find that not only did we have to pass through the public bathrooms to get to our room, but the walls were disgustingly moldy and stained, the floor had unidentifiable stains that encouraged me to keep my shoes on the whole time we were there, and sheets that were at least starched even if they hadn't been cleaned properly, or thrown away for having holes. The three girls, myself included, have revoked hotel choice privileges from the guys, as they had picked the hostel.
The next morning, Tuesday, we wandered about the city, looking at recent housing projects along the waterfront and canals, as well as a recent building by Stephen Holl, which had a computer programmed underground carport - we all oohed and aahed when we turned the corner to see the building, and someone was preparing to drive off, dialing their car out of the slot it had been put into, and waiting as the elevator brought it above ground.
Becky and I went to tour the Anne Frank house later that evening. It's a very moving place to see - imagining so many people cramped together in such a small space for 2 years. We took pictures of the leaning canal houses on the way back to the hostel. The old buildings have either settled at a crooked angle or been built at odd angles on purpose, some leaning dangerously.
We're on the train for Paris this Wednesday morning, we three girls, and will meet up with the guys at the hotel later in the evening, as they are catching a later train.
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