Consistently Inconsistent

Hello, Friends!

I am so embarrassed to be blogging FIVE months after returning back to the UAE. I have turned into the type of blogger that I despised lol. Life and laziness happened and I've been inconsistent. Inshallah, I will be more consistent as I wrap up term 2 and the school year!

December

For winter break, my lovely sister came to visit. She stayed a few days with me in Abu Dhabi where we did normal tourist things (desert safari, Emirate's Palace, Dubai day tip). We were suppossed to sky dive over the Palm Jumeriah, but it was too windy and ALL jumps for the day were cancelled. The next available date would be two months later so we opted for the refund. The jump was $550 USD/ per person.
After that, we flew to Zanzibar. It was amazing! We stayed in Stone Town and went on a tour of Prison Island, a spice tour (don't buy souvenirs here), and of course we visited the old slave market. The country is mostly Muslim and has a strong Arab influence. The water is clear and beautiful. I saw velvety chocolate skin and the whitest teeth. This place is both poverty and paradise, but the people are happy with their 'little bit.'
The food was amazing. It is Heaven for seafood lovers and the Coconut Bread is AMAZING (its actually not made from coconut).


When we returned from Zanzibar, Sissy flew back to the US and I went to Amsterdam alone. Some friend of mine went and said that they enjoyed it so that was why I decided to go. The trip started off rocky as my flight was delayed due to fog so I almost missed my fight from Turkey to Amsterdam. Although I made the flight, my luggage did not. I had to buy clothes in the airport in Amsterdam. Luckily, as you walk through the airport, it turns into a legit mall! God was looking out. I had to buy underwear, a coat, boots, shirts,...all the cold weather essentials that my Sis packed from the States. Instead of complaining, I remembered what my mom said, "At least you had the money to buy those things." The Euro was higher than the dollar, so I was feeling a certain way about that, but what can you do?
My luggage arrived and was delivered after two nights. I stayed in a great hotel with an amazing breakfast. So I was good.
Prior to leaving the UAE, I bought a ticket from Amsterdam to Paris. The train ride was three hours but it was worth it. I didn't see much in Paris because I was afraid of missing the train back to Amsterdam but I did see the Tour de Eiffel. It was BEAUTIFUL. I looked into going inside of it (I didn't even know that was possible until I did research), but I didn't buy the ticket. It was $10 USD. I thought about standing in line to buy the ticket the day of, but it was too cold and the line was too deep. So, I just had random strangers take my picture. They actually came out good. The black people that I met in Paris spoke French only, no English. However, I did meet some black people in Amsterdam that spoke English! Actually, everyone in Amsterdam spoke English.

Amsterdam

Soft drugs (weed, etc.) is legal in Amsterdam. The people are so warm and friendly given the cold weather and four hours of daylight. I remember asking this guy which tram I should ride and he had a blunt in his hand and was causally smoking like it was nothing. According to my tour guide, the legalization of drugs has not caused crime to rise. People just appeared to be super chill and nice to me.
Apon landing, I was supposed to go to the Anne Frank Huis (I had a scheduled tour...$15 USD with a seminar before the tour). I missed it due to my luggage situation. But alas! I ventured to the house with my paid voucher email and they allowed me to go on the last tour (because it was about to close for the night). A woman ushered us in a room and told us history of the annex and set the historical scene. After asking questions, we were allowed to visit the restored annex. Apon entering the museum, we were given these necklace things to wear around our necks during the walking tour. When we entered a room, we could scan it and hear audio explaining the time frame/location/important person. It was amazing! You didn't have to read anything if you didn't want to because you could hear the narration. At the end of the tour, I bought the Diary of Anne Frank for a friend and another book (I forgot the name of it).

The next day, I went on a bike tour of Amsterdam. This country is known for its canals. Basically, it appears to have more waterways instead of streets. Most people own a bike and bike daily. This is probably why they can eat all that bread and remain lean. The tour was given in French and English because a family from France was with us. The rest of us were English speaking. There were seven tourist and a tour guide. I thought I was prepared for the freezing weather but NOPE. The scenery was so beautiful that I forgot that I was so cold.

I met up with a girlfriend, Brandy, that next day. We had Dutch Pancakes and discovered the Red Light District. It was...interesting. We also went souvenir shopping and did 'local things.' I also got a tattoo by an Italian guy while Brandy got her nose pierced. My only regret is not seeing the windmills. They are a BIG DEAL. Due to my poor planning, I missed them, but locals said that I should return in the spring to visit the Windmills and tulips. Inshallah.

**Amsterdam is a safe place for women traveling solo!