amsterdam, bruges, live music

im a little closer to saying ive seen enough after this past weekend. Amsterdam was not a big surprise regarding what to do, but more so on the historical side. sure the lure of sex and drugs was enticing and marks an historical date on my timeline, but the city has so much to tell in its architecture, canals, and art, among other things. i managed to get a glimpse of both worlds, as my trip included a canal tour, a tour of the heineken brewery, an art museum, cheese, clogs, and windmills. the other side included a walking tour of the red light district, the most bizaare sex shops ive ever seen, coffee shops, and Oxford Collapse playing a gig at the hotel i was booked in. i decided to leave my camera in the room as i a) didnt want to be the annoying american taking pictures of a night on the town and b) would rather not chance a facebook scandal. the only pictures i took while actually in amsterdam were of the open air courtyard at the hotel. it was a calming place when i wanted to escape people and just listen to tunes.
my camera got plenty of action in Bruges though, as the parts of the city i wandered in were absolutely beautiful. i was only allowed about 3 hours in the city, but that was enough time to grab some gummi crocodiles from a confectionary shop, eat a lamb gyro, enjoy a cool duvel, and chillax with a voluptuous mermaid. time well spent. i hope i can do it all again before Amsterdam is shut down in the coming years.
in other news ive been fortunate enough to get out and see some live music. on the 17th i strolled over to soho to see Women. the venue was Madame JoJo's and it was underground, small, and quite intimate. Women played a good set, with multiple songs turning to white noise for a climax. tonight ill be paying the Forum a visit to see long running death masters Cannibal Corpse. i havent seen them for close to 5 years, so im pretty pumped. and of course after the gig ill be returning to ISH bar to tackle some Queen in karaoke.