“What can you do in Amsterdam besides party?”

I’d been asked this question on more than one occasion before my recent trip to Amsterdam. But with nearly 50 foreign countries on my travel resume, I feel pretty confident going just about anywhere in the world and knowing that I will find:

A) entertainment

B) a relatively well-known (or unknown) historical/cultural attraction. Or if all else fails…

C) meet some pretty cool people along the way. Little did I know that all of the aforementioned characteristics would be found together, in one destination, just 35 kilometers from Amsterdam.

Time to strap on the big boy shoes and venture outside Amsterdam city limits!

Based on my preliminary research, I set out for the Keukenhof Gardens as early as possible. After taking the opportunity to experience the Amsterdam nightlife during my first evening in town and finally meandering back to my hostel in the wee morning hours, I had to make a game-time decision. Sleep and go visit the gardens later in the afternoon? Or splash some water on my face, grab some food and keep moving? Option 2 prevailed! Once I arrived at the bus stop, I was one of the first people in line and by this time, my second wind had finally kicked in…perhaps slightly aided by a bit of Red Bull (since I didn’t happen to have any of my Instant Energy on hand).

Shortly after securing my position in line I heard a familiar language behind me and it was NOT English. I navigated through my mental labyrinth of lost languages to ascertain that the two young ladies were speaking Japanese.

“Hello.” I said with a smile which was greeted with fear by the typical “oh-no-I-have-to-speak-English…”

“Uhh…”

Pause…

“Umm… (Eto…えと…)—I. don’t-tu…speak.English.well.”

To which I replied in Japanese:

“It’s okay, I understand Japanese. (Dai jobu desu. Nihongo ga wakarimasu. だいじょうぶです. 日本語がわかります).”

“Ehhhhhh! (ええええ?!)” they replied in shocked unison. A clear indication that the initial apprehension to speak had been replaced with a newfound openness to friendship.

So off to Keukenhof we went!

Initially seated alongside my new friends, I stood and gave my seat to a small, elderly Chinese lady who then proceeded to somehow manage enough room for two of her friends to also fit on the tiny chair. After the 30-minute ride from the bus stop at Amsterdam Airport (where tickets can be purchased on location or in advance online), we arrived at the Keukenhof Gardens. We reunited after exiting the bus and decided to continue our broken conversation as we circled the gardens’ neatly manicured rows of flowers. Towering tulips were laid out with more precision than a procession of birds flying south for the winter.

From indoor displays to outdoor centerpieces, we admired the floral arrangements while taking selfies and group photos as if we were long lost friends reunited after years of separation.

An indoor display of a floral dress.

One hour bled into the next and, before we knew it, it was nearly lunch time. My stomach rumbled and the sound was echoed by a roar in the distance as the once picture-perfect sky morphed into a menacing gravel-grey. One drop. Two. A slow drizzle began to fall and I suggested grabbing a quick bite to eat before leaving. They agreed. So I walked over to the food stand, placed my order and, to my surprise, before I even returned both young ladies had already begun eating sandwiches that magically appeared from their purses.

“Are you hungry?! (Onaka suita!? おなか すいた!?)” I exclaimed jokingly to one of the young ladies.

“Yes! Bon Apetit! (Hai! Itadakimasu! はい! 頂きます)” she replied with a smile as we all stood and enjoyed our meals under an awning.

The Keukenhof crew disperses

The calm before the storm.

Walking back to the bus stop, huddled together while sharing one umbrella, we laughed as the crowds and rain seemed to arrive in harmony. We boarded the return bus and 30-minutes later we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways.

Again I was faced with a dilemma—catch up on missed sleep from the night before and continue my exploration later? OR…splash some water on my face, grab a drink, and keep it moving?? With the question of:

“What can you do in Amsterdam besides party?” echoing in my head…

Sleep swiftly became an afterthought as my third wind kicked in and I decided to party on!!