Cafe De Klos

In Cedar Rapids there was a restaurant named Cafe de Klos that was modeled after an Amsterdam cafe.  Everyone raved about the Cedar Rapids version so I thought I would give the Amsterdam version a try.

It did not disappoint, definitely the best ribs I have had in the Netherlands and possibly a candidate for top 5 in my life.

Good Samaritan

We thought it would be a nice place to sit down and take in the view of Tower Bridge.

Maybe get a family picture taken by our friend in front of it.

Apparently other people thought it would be a good idea to get their picture taken as well, but they didn't have friends.  So, Ryan had to fill in. 

These eastern european ladies were smitten with Ryan.

These Israeli guys were not so they went with Michelle.

The Canadian was a fan of Ryan

And so were the couples

We spent about 20 minutes taking photos for people before moving on.

The Colosseum

Not much you can say about the Colosseum (Kinnick East as it is known in some parts of the world) other than it is an impressive, impressive, site to see.

Big Ben, Parliament

Big Ben....

Parliament....

The London Eye...

Oliver Cromwell...

Big Ben....

Parliament....

Biking

One of the big differences living over here is how much we bike compared to back home (never back home, all the time here).  Practically every time we would have jumped in a car back home we jump on our bikes here.  Going to work, shopping, visiting friends, is all done on the bike.

The Dutch have made it their way of living.  Practically every street has a bike path and anywhere you would like to go in the country you can get to by bike.  The bikes have the right of way, then pedestrians, and then cars. 

Myself and a co-worker, two members of our five member biker gang that occasionally ride to work together (that is supposed to be a doorag on my head NOT MY IDEA).

 

Our commute to work is about 5 miles (the same distance as Viola Gibson to Bowman Woods) and takes us anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes.

Getting ready to ride to the beach.

A short ride down our street.

Rome - Random

Everywhere we went in Rome it seemed like there was something interesting thing to see.  This post is a collection of some of those sites.

The Castel Sant'Angelo (also know as Mausoleum of Hadrian) was one that stood out.  Unfortunately much of the original contents and decorations were lost in 401 so we were a few years too late to take them in.

A view of the Tiber River which winds through Rome.

This street in the Trastevere neighborhood met my the stereotypical expectations you have growing up.

The Largo di Toree Argentina which contains four Roman temples and sits in the middle of a few busy roads.

History of the World part I?

The roads weren't stroller friendly, though they were 2000 years old.

An ancient arena.

The National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II, never heard of him or it but it is a site to see.

The Pinochio store...

and hanging with Pinochio...

The Spanish Steps drew large crowds.  Not sure of their significance and not sure what draws the crowds.

An impressive pyramid.

The Piazza Navona

The twin churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria di Montesanto.

A view from Piazza Popolo

The Great Synagogue of Rome

Rome truly is an outdoor museum, we happened upon this site when we rounded a corner.

The catacombs were very interesting and thankfully we toured with a guide or we would have never made it out.

Unfortunately we have exported Jersey Shore to Italy.......

You are probably feeling like this right now, just make sure to put out your cigarette.