The Netherlands
Okaaaayyyyy so Auva and I finally decided to attempt the hop across the pond - and it was tough! Booking the tickets off a semi-whim in October, we were fairly confident that by the time of our trip (mid-late December) COVID would be but a fading dream. Alas, how wrong we were. A few weeks before our slated departure, the Netherlands implemented a "curfew" in which non-essential business could only open 8am-5pm and essentials till 8pm, and worldwide Omicron was acting up. Insistent on having a good time, however, we decided to follow through with our plans. We were met with an oscillating experience of good and bad luck, which I will try to recount below.
The Arrival
Like any pair of good citizens, Auva and I thought it prudent to get COVID tests before leaving the States (we learned that's what they call the U.S. over in Holland). Yet our results didn't come before the flight - no matter, we thought, since we had been relatively dormant recently. Obviously this turned out to be a questionable move, since upon arrival in Amsterdam our results were in: mine was negative (great!! I thought) and Auva's was positive. Trying to ward off panic, we made it through the airport and past customs, onto to the train, and checked into our stay. All the while discussing what to do next.
I know what some are thinking; the right thing to do is isolate for 10 days and be done with it. There were a few factors, however, that led to our following moves. First of all, Auva had essentially only seen her roommates, myself, and her parents for the past week, all of which tested negative the following day. Secondly, we had no symptoms. Third, we just couldn't freaking believe it and were in a gosh darn different country!
So we isolated the rest of our first day in Amsterdam; called parents and looked for advice; eventually we settled on getting another test the next morning to verify, and then suffering the consequences.
The Release
Our second day began with a stroll through the city searching for COVID tests. Quickly we hit the jackpot, and a testing site was giving free tests with an easy sign-up and short line. Naturally we chose this godsend, and, somehow, we both tested negative. By this point we had also heard that all of Auva's roommates and family were negative, and with me having two negatives, we were confident that Auva's initial positive was a fluke.
We were elated. So much worry and sadness immediately dispersed, and we enjoyed exploring the city until the curfew. A quick stop at a coffeshop scored us a joint, and then when we found ourselves at a bunch of boats we hopped on a canal tour. Great vegan eats were located and devoured for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Normal Day
Ah, our third day in Amsterdam. Still in a state of bliss from our regained freedom, we set out early to the Van Gogh museum, looking at every single painting and reading every gosh darn word in that building. It was cool! After completing our studies of dear Vincent we waltzed around a new part of town in search for a vegan croissant. Google maps guided us faithfully, and we found a small bakery with vegan options fresh out the oven, which turned out to be possibly the best pastries we have ever eaten. On a nearby street there happened to be a massive outdoor market, so we perused and got some dumplings and coffee (separately...).
We planned to go to the Heineken Experience, where you get a tour of the brewery and some beer, but realized we clearly didn't plan enough when we saw the line outside and learned you needed tickets ahead of time. No worries - we found a small bar close by and got some good drinks and a neat lunch, before heading to the Rijksmuseum. This natural history museum was huge, with exhibits spanning millennia and across continents. We didn't see all of it, but our museum itch had certainly been scratched for the day, so we left for dinner and ended up at a vegan kebab place with some tasty gyros.
The Fall
Naturally, on our way to The Hague the following morning we discover that the whole country has entered lock down. Arriving in the new city the news was confirmed, first by front desk man of the hostel, but also by the fact that EVERYTHING WAS CLOSED. Except Dunkin' Donuts, which has cool vegan donuts in the Netherlands apparently. After debating some possibilities, we decided to try to get our flight moved to the next morning, and just get out of this foreign country. Auva, persistent as ever, managed to convince United to not only move our flights up but also do it for free (it was initially an additional $700 per person)!!! Legend.
So, we explored what we could of the city and went to the beach. I liked The Hague, and wish I could've seen it alive. We also got COVID tests, since you need them to return to the States, and despite our worst fears we were both negative once again. After a relaxing night in our hostel, we woke early, journeyed to Amsterdam, had a totally great time at the airport, and hopped back to Houston.
We decided we'll stick to road trips for now...
(12/23/21)
