Oh Amsterdam....

First we attended the IBC 2009 the International Broadcasting Convention, where I realized I am a film nerd as Phil, Ben, Sam, and I started geeking our over lighting, editing, and camera equipment. After a long day of making some contacts, talking with some workers from "How I Met Your Mother" and playing with the RED, a big group of us made our way to the sketchiest hostel I have ever had the pleasure to stay on.

Now this was truly an adventure to get too. First we had to take a ferry...which went on and on and on. Then the directions simply read "Go around the MTV building (you might just wanna ask someone where it is). I look up and take in the scene. Basically it was an industrial play ground with broken glass and graffiti everywhere. Basically a place most people would tell their daughters not to walk down alone at night. Whatever, its Amsterdam right? So we keep walking and finally we see the sign to our hostel which looks like this:

Ummm.....yeeaaaa.....sketchy for sure. Yet, we finally managed to make it to our hostel. Or should I say Boastel! That's right we were staying on Boat Hostel that slept 25-30 people. We picked a winner for sure. Oh....European adventures.

Anyways, we enjoy the city and what it has to offer. Manage to see the Anne Frank House as well as the Vincent Van Gogh museum which was pretty sweet, and of course we got to experience the night life. Passing through tiny alleys in the Red Light District that both made you somewhat giggle and feel disgusted because it truly was like a Zoo Exhibit. I did, however, find it somewhat interesting that they were separated to areas based on....well....I guess....quality? I don't know. It was weird.

So we go back to sketch hostel 101. Mind you returning to this place is no easy venture. First off they gave us a map back which basically is a compilation of little squares and an arrow saying "Go Here!" Now here comes the fun story. It all begins with one very very special friend of mine....

As we step off the bus that supposedly drops us off at square one which we are suppose to walk around to go between big square and little square....seriously, worst. map. ever. Some of the guys decided that now is an appropriate time to relieve the built up tension of drinks before. They run off into a bush and my special friend tales behind. Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out where I am and how to get to the hostel. As I stare at the map in utter confusion at the map one of the guy says "Oh look a cop.." To which the boys in the woods decided to stop publicly urinating. One darts off to only God knows where, one discreetly makes his way around back to my side, and the other well....we will get there in a moment. The cop pulls up to me and asks "What are you doing?" to which I show them the map and explain the situation. They ask "Were you just in the bushes?" I reply with a simple, "No." The cop is just about to say ok when suddenly there emerges our special friend from the bushes hair de-shelved, belt undone, zipper half zipped (or should I say half unzipped?) The cop looks up a bit startled to which this special friend yells, without any pretext, "I didn't do it!"

Now kids, I assumed everyone knew this, or at least learned from an early age that when one is confronted by authorities the first words out of your mouth should never be these. Especially when they haven't said a word. Yet, it gets better. This special special friend then chimes in with a "It wasn't me!" and wraps it all up with a nice final punch of "Nothing I swear!" I pause look at this special friend in utter disbelief, jaw somewhat agape and give him a look that reads, "Well...you're on your own now kiddo!" I return to trying to figure out where to go while my special friend tries to....well I presume talk his way out of the situation. Some highlights of the remainder of the confrontation:

"So if you weren't peeing what were you doing? Touching yourself?"

"Ok I was going to pee, but you came and I got scared"

"Do you have ID?" "Passport or driver's license?" As this special guy whips out his neck travel protector...mind you he is the only one wearing one of these things.

"I'm just scared!"

Anyways he manages to get out of it, and then we get directions from them. We return to the hostel all realizing how incredibly different this situation could have gone and glad we can now laugh about it. Oh Amsterdam...