Amsterdam, oh god I'm blushing again!

OK, we got into Amsterdam a few hours ago and I've already had a few moments of feeling incredibly naive. For starters, you really can smell pot coming from loads of the coffee shops (at least I'm assuming that's what it smells like. I wouldn't know, really officer.). Also, I walked past a cookie shop and my first response was 'Mmmm cookies!', closely followed by 'but are they cookies, or cookies?...' Bill thought I was being paranoid, but as he hadn't realised the smell everywhere was pot, I'm not taking him seriously.
To top everything else off and make the Amsterdam cliche's complete, we just went into the local Priceline equivalent so Bill could get shaving cream and I saw something in a gift box display near the counter. It was all tasteful in pastel colours and I started to snigger that it looked like some kind of sex toy, when I had a closer look and it was! You can buy twelve inch battery powered vibrating 'pleasure devices' at the supermarket checkout, next to the M&Ms! I never thought of myself as a complete prude (shut up Arielle- you can talk!) but this place takes liberal to a whole new level. I've seen quite a few men dressed in pink velour or sequins so far, and we got into the city just after lunch, so this is day wear (and quite fetching too). I think I need a cup of tea, but I don't want to go into the wrong type of cafe (honestly).
Tonight we're going to a local evening of stand-up comedy and burlesque with a Swedish guy called Oliver that we've just met. He's riding his BMW around Europe and looked possibly more overwhelmed than me when he asked to sit at the free seat at our pub table. He keeps talking about Wikings, so I have immediately warmed to him and Bill likes him because he lives reasonably close the the Volvo factory. It should be an interesting night.

On a more sedate note, Belgium was beautiful. It was a shame we only had one whole day there between train journeys. The buildings are all very gothic, there are chocolate shops everywhere and Tintin is alive and well. There were also posters clustered together that all seemed to get along despite the differences: 'Jusus Saves' next to 'Saturday Night Gay' to name two. I liked it there. Also, the waffles were brilliant and I rekindled my friendship with Hoegarten.

We have three nights in Amsterdam and then we fly into Bristol to see what the UK has to offer...