My Little Brother Does Amsterdam: Part VIII

The epic journey continues and this week Patrick journeys into Belgium and finds a small bit of solace on Thanksgiving.

Tuesday the 20th of November, Patrick took a 2 hour train trip to Antwerp, Belgium. There he spent a couple days exploring the inner city and wandering a couple art museums. Here's his general impression of the city: "Lets start with I loved Antwerp-but I have never felt so alone. This huge glorious ornamental city that is so worn, aged and gray nobody is out on many of the streets, primarily just on the main shopping street that runs from central station to the main Cathedral. Cars rule here-hardly a bike except on a few streets, and cars will come just flying through squares that have no markings that I could of sworn were a pedestrian malls...RRRRROAR! a car would just come flying thru from nowhere. I didn't see one police officer compared to Amsterdam where I see police every few blocks along with mothers and children. Here In Antwerp no children and hardly any families-just expensive, exotic cars driven by wealthy richie riches. Unbelievable homes in the heart of the city-huge glorious mansions with incredible sculptures on every corner."

He returned to Amsterdam in time for Thanksgiving and found a place called ABC Treehouse which was having a Thanksgiving dinner for those with no place to go. "Was fun, everyone was really nice and kind-but all the talk was in dutch and I found myself sitting alone just listening and with all the groups and families I kinda felt out of place, so I had a really good meal then rode my bike home, I like riding my bike again." He phoned our sister Kitty on Thanksgiving to say "hello" and wish us all a great day. We missed him terribly at the dinner table!

Finally, Patrick found a new club to hang out in and listen to music, well-and to check out cute rocker girls. It's called OCCII and appears to host both rock bands and dj/club music. Here was his description of the club and the evening: "I was early and ended up sitting at the bar with the owner who was way cool-about my age, I was the oldest person by far when the place filled up. 100 or so young adults and we all just had a ball. I drank for free all night, and saw 4 amazing bands, hard rock - I fell in love at least 4 times and it was the best cure for my lonesome blues. I'm still grinning this Morning - no I didn't get laid...didn't even try, was so fun. The 1st band Patterns from Colonge, Germany had the most amazing drummer and a lead singer who looked like he was a ambercrombie model. Steph[a singer from one of the bands]; I got her attention 'cause I was just hootin and howlerin after all her songs and she gave me a big hug after the show cause I got her so pumped up. Small venue-very intimate. One of the best things about Amsterdam."

Just two more weeks left in Patrick's journey, I know it will be hard for him to come home...but we miss him greatly and look forward to his return. Here are his pictures from Antwerp and a picture of the very cute "Steph."