Here's What Happened Last Week...

 Phew. So I've been a combination of a lot of things lately so let's break it down shall we?

Disclaimer .25: If you're family, just skip this blog, it's not the one

(I'm suddenly realizing this has become more of a diary mixed with a travel blog... So yeah..)

ANYWAYS!

So first up we have 

Exeter: Overall, it was super super chill there. I didn't do a whole lot-- this might have been part of my downfall, we'll get there. Night one my family took me to a pub up the road. We had a pretty chill time. My cousin Joshie attempted to play a casual game of pool-- but some British dudes slightly ruined it. It's fine, it is what it is, I think Joshie was more annoyed than I was. If you know me, you know I'm unathletic in every single way. This included playing pool. Well, these two guys basically decided to try and teach me, while also completely slagging on me. I'm pretty sure it was just in good fun-- The Brits show their love differently. Anyways, Joshie won, then the girls played. That night we stayed up a little late talking about family and stuff. While technically my uncle's kids and grandkids are his wife's, he's been there their whole lives, so they've always been treated like blood relatives. But the younger of us took different amounts of time to kind of realize this. I didn't realize his stepkids weren't my cousins until like high school, maybe. Joshie just sort of had this realization, too. So we talked more about how I have a sister-- he didn't know!-- and further beyond that. This part isn't really news, it's just being British, but somewhere way back we have royalty in our bloodline. Anyways, later in the week I met up with my old childhood friends', my mother's old childhood friend's kids, Robert and Adam. I met up with Robert and his dad/David in Exter. We did a bit of pub hopping, window shopping, and a few actual pieces of shopping. Adam I found a few days later-- but before finding him we had lunch with great auntie Libby. We had a nice time catching up. Caught each other up on our lives, she told me a little more family history, and I had a really good sandwich-- though I don't super recall it all. I think it was ham, aged cheddar/gouda, and a sundried tomato thingy. ANYWAYS! So I met up with Adam at a music festival. Met his wife, his son, and his cool friends. Eventually, the other three adults left as his kid wasn't having it anymore. Adam and I stayed back for a bit to catch up. Eventually, he had to head out, I had a drink or two more, dinner, and I was heading back to my uncle's to pack. Next stop: AMSTERDAM

OH BOY-- if you haven't guessed yet, there's still a bit of Amsterdam in my system... First disclosure: Family, please go away... Skip to Frankfurt. Disclaimer two: I kept to the laws of the country, but we ain't getting into details... 

Disclaimer .5: Seriously, why are you still here, go away. NOW

What can I say about Amsterdam? What do I even want to say about Amsterdam? I'll say this: Amsterdam is everything and nothing like you've heard or seen in pop culture. It's incredibly wild, free-spirited, and overall an amazing place. And no I'm not just talking about all the weed I did (I told you to GO). Shrooms were also legal there, but I swear I didn't do em! No one needs to trip for the first time in foreign lands. There was also a lot of bar hopping and just overall looking around. No, I'm really talking in general. The people I encountered in all parts of the city were nice. The roads were so clear (of cars) because a lot of so many people walk, bike, or use public transit. And when I did see cars driving a lot it was really small economical cars. I don't think I saw one unnecessarily large car--except commercial vehicles. Now I say cars, because it's kind of a filthy place. I'd love to say just the Red Light District, but honestly, that got cleaned up super fast. The rest of the city was only randomly clean or dirty. Could be a difference of trash practices-- like I saw someone with trash in a pile and when the street cleaner came they both just kind of swept it under the cleaner. Alright, I guess we should get to the RLD? It is seriously everything you've heard. Literally, every ally way has sex workers trying to grab your attention. Some try to lure you with just looks, others get really animated, a few step out their door, and occasionally you've got some who are playing hard to get. Plus there were some other windows on the main street. From what I could see through a few vacant ones they have their little window booth, then a room behind it with the bed. WILD. But there are also video theaters, sex shops, and random shops that sell snacks, weed, souvenirs, and all sorts of things. There are a few museums that I went to, as well: The Erotica Museum a double one for Hemp and Marijuana.  I may have gone a bit too hard while there-- which leads to my second downfall. 

Frankfurt: Honestly, I don't have much to say about Frankfurt. I only went to the zoo, which could never compare to the St. Louis Zoo, and the botanical gardens, which I didn't spend a lot of time at as I was just SO tired. That's it. That's all I did. I mostly just slept, relaxed, and just nothing. I think the combination of taking it easy for almost a week, going hard for two straight days, and honestly, Frankfurt just being a generic city, I was done. 

Munich: I could basically say all the same. I did a lot of sleep. I did find the pride festival on the second day, but I didn't stay long, missed the parade, and really just all the events. I was TIRED. So I slept the rest of the day. The next day I didn't sleep all day, but I've basically done nothing. I went to go find the river where they surf on man-made waves. It was neat, but a little overrated and packed with tourists. That's again, about it. 

So now I'm off to Venice. I'm hoping to turn it around as I'm really excited about Venice and I think it'll be less of just a "generic city". Then I'll have a day in San Marino, a beach day in Rimini, and then head out to Rome. 

... and that's what you missed on.. GLEE