Hiding.

Walking off of the bus in Amsterdam was like walking off of a spaceship into a different world.

I guess I didn't know what to expect Amsterdam to be like.

We walked down the first streets early in the morning to get to our hostel and I began to fall in love with this quaint and funky town.

The city is sinking (slowly obviously) so all of the buildings are crooked.

Some of them are leaning not only sideways, but forward.  

Some fun facts about Amsterdam:

- The city's symbol has been "xxx" since the 1500s

- 2000 bikes are pulled out of the canals every year

- The dutch are very tall

- Amsterdam is considered the Venice of Holland because of the canals, which were all hand dug

Traditional Dutch stamppot!

This little red apartment is the smallest one in Amsterdam.

I'm not going to challenge that statement haha.

The Anne Frank house was incredible.

We were able to walk through the hole in the wall behind the original bookcase that leads to where Anne Frank and her family hid.

Imagining what it would be like living there,

and how difficult it would be to be quiet on the creaky floors,

and never going outside in the fresh air.

I would go insane.

Not to mention constantly wondering if you 

were going to get caught by the Nazis.

It is all very hard to wrap my mind around,

but I feel lucky to have been able to experience walking through that house.

One of the walls in our hostel was made completely out of speakers.

Our hole in the wall lunch spot was so adorable.

The ceiling had the most unique teapots hanging from it.

I had a lemon crepe.

So delicious!!

Now to address the two elephants in the room.

Now, for the record, I did not smoke any weed in Amsterdam.

I walked through the red light district during the day,

but my heart couldn't bear to go on the walking tour at night.

I heard it was a very informational tour,

and that it was extremely interesting,

but it breaks my heart to see women selling their bodies.

I don't care if they are registered as self employed by their government,

if there are cops waiting to help them if they press the emergency button in their rooms if things go wrong (deeming it to be safe),

or if it is the fastest way for them to make money to go to college.

These women cannot be happy. This life cannot bring them joy.

I'll make a safe assumption that they are empty, 

and know that something is missing.

They need to know Jesus's love. They need to know what real love is.

They need to know that they deserve so much better.

They need people around them to support them and believe in them.

Satan has a tight grasp on the Red Light District.

Please pray for all of these girls, and all of the men who use them.

They need to know Jesus.