Ik wil graag een fles bier ***OR I would like a bottle of beer

Courtney's travel tip #3- When in Philadelphia apparently the correct way to eat a cheesesteak sandwich is with Cheez Whiz instead of real cheese.

AND while you're at it, the local airport bartenders will happily call you out and say that whiz is too hardcore for you. Uh... really airport bartender? You think I can't handle your processed cheese food? Well I'll see your Cheez Whiz and raise you a can of spray cheese!

And that was the highlight (or lowlight depending on your point of view) of Philadelphia.

Courtney's travel tip #4- Bitter balls are not so bitter.

We made a friend on the flight who was more than willing to share all of his local knowledge about Amsterdam with us. He was like a magical travel elf who showed up in the middle of the night. I went to sleep with a grumpy American next to me and woke up several hours later with the most polite Dutch man (who also happened to have the world's longest legs. Good thing we were in an exit row.) ANYWAY... he was very helpful even though we couldn't understand all of what he was saying and even took the time to show us how to work the automatic ticketing machines for the train.... which we proceeded to have trouble with the second he walked away. But no worries. We made it in one piece with all of our luggage and had our first transaction using Euros with nary a problem!

The hotel is right next to Rembrandt Square which is filled with bars and outdoor cafes and since we were to early to check in, we were off to lunch. After wandering like tourists for a good 15 min, we found a place where we tried our first local speciality of the trip. Bitter Balls. They're almost like deep fried gravy balls. Not too bad if I do say so myself. But as travel tip #4 advises... they're not so bitter. Still not sure where the name comes from.

The room is awesome even though we only have one channel that is in English and it's showing Murder She Wrote. Apparently Dutch people are into geriatric dramas circa 1985. Big fans.

No drinking has taken place yet but cut us some slack, it's 9:00 in the morning to our bodies, even we have standards! On the agenda tonight: A Canal cruise to give us a quick tour of the city, Dinner at In De Waag (a 16th century building), and then off to the red light district to have our American Puritanical eyes assaulted by whatever debauchery they have to offer. Should have some good travel tips for tomorrow!