Holland part 1

Amsterdam day! Yay! Esther and I were very keen to leave Brussels. We made it to Brussels Midi station, got tickets sorted and found our platform. While standing on the platform I noticed the destination of our train was clearly NOT Amsterdam. I asked a woman from the trains what was going on and she was like "Oh, trains for Amsterdam don't go from here, they go from Gare du Nord". I asked why the sign told us to go where we did and she said they changed things but hadn't updated the signs. Well done Belgium, another win for you.
Eventually we made it to our train and went to Amsterdam! Yes! On arrival, we easily found a tourist information, easily got a map and easily found out where to go. Amsterdam was winning over Brussels already. After hostel booking in and stuff, we went walking and discovered that EVERYONE rides a bicycle. When crossing some roads you need to cross: bike lane, road, tram, tram, road, bide lane. All of them are busy too. Amsterdam is a very nice looking place, with lots of old buildings and canals and things, I was sold straight away. Its really nice here. One thing I noted (being the audio person I am) is that because there are hardly any cars an everyone uses trams and bikes is that even in the city centre it is nice and quiet. Its really brilliant.
Tonight we went for a walk, ended up in the notorious 'red light district' where they have almost naked women standing in the windows of buildings and lots of seedy men walking around opening their doors asking how much they charge. What freaked us out the most about it was that it was just so strange. I know that this sort of thing, while I really don't condone it, has been happening for a long time, people standing in the windows in full view of the street is even weirder.
Eventually Esther and I found what we'd really wanted: a pub with football. Hooray!

Some not so nice things have been happening over the past few days at home. I wish I was there. I miss a lot of people right now and have at least one friend at home I wish I was with right now so I knew that everything was okay. Its weird being on the other side of the world and not being able to call people up when you really want to, or even drive over to where they are just to check up on them/look after them. Ever since I found out I've been praying pretty darn hard for him, as right now thats the most I can do.
In other news, my pet rabbit Warren died during the night at home. I loved that little guy.
Its been a weird day. Amsterdam is awesome, but sad news in a few different forms (friends, family and pet related) has made today a bit sour. I think I'll just go to bed, hopefully things will be a lot better in the morning.

I love you all and miss you all very much.