Man, what a day! Seriously, I’m still buzzing from all the craziness. So, I woke up in my tiny flat in Amsterdam, right? Thought I’d take a chill trip to Volendam. You know, that cute lil’ fishing village with the colorful houses and all. I mean, who doesn’t love a good photo op, am I right?
First off, I hop on the bus, and it’s packed. Like, sardines in a can packed. I’m squished between this old dude who smells like herring and a kid blasting some weird Dutch rap. I’m like, “Dude, chill with the volume!” But whatever, I’m on my way to Volendam, so I just zone out.
Finally, I get off at the bus stop on the Havenweg. The air smells like fresh fish and... something else. Not sure what, but it’s not bad. I stroll down the street, and wow, the view is insane! The harbor is full of boats, and the water is sparkling like diamonds. I whip out my phone to snap a pic, but my battery’s dying. Ugh, classic me.
So, I’m wandering around, and I hit up the Dijk. It’s this long street by the water, and it’s packed with tourists. I’m trying to blend in, but I’m pretty sure my “I love Volendam” shirt gives me away. I see this cute café, and I’m like, “I need coffee.” I order a cappuccino, and the barista is super chill. We start chatting about the best places to eat. He’s like, “You gotta try the kibbeling!” I’m like, “What’s that?” He laughs and says, “Fried fish, man!” I’m sold.
I grab my coffee and head to the waterfront. I sit on a bench, sipping my drink, and just people-watch. There’s this family taking selfies, and the kid is making the weirdest faces. I can’t help but laugh. Then, outta nowhere, this seagull swoops down and snatches a fry right outta the kid’s hand! The kid screams, and I’m dying. Like, “Welcome to Volendam, kid!”
After that, I decide to check out the Volendams Museum. It’s small but packed with cool stuff. I’m looking at these old fishing nets and thinking, “Man, these guys had it tough.” Then I see a painting of the village from way back. It’s wild how much it’s changed. I mean, now it’s all touristy, but back then? Just fishermen and their boats. Crazy.
But then, I get a bit annoyed. There’s this group of tourists being super loud, taking selfies in front of everything. Like, chill, it’s not a concert! I’m trying to soak in the vibe, and they’re just yelling. I roll my eyes and head out.
Next, I wander down to the Zeestraat. It’s quieter here, and I can finally breathe. I spot this little shop selling traditional Dutch clogs. I’m like, “I gotta try these on!” So, I do, and let me tell you, they’re not comfy at all. I’m clomping around like a baby giraffe, and everyone’s staring. I laugh it off, but inside, I’m like, “Why do people wear these?”
Then, I stumble upon a fish market. The smell hits me like a brick wall. I see the kibbeling the barista mentioned, and I’m like, “Yes, please!” I grab a portion, and it’s so good! Crispy, flaky, and just the right amount of sauce. I’m in heaven. I could eat this every day!
As the sun starts to set, I walk back to the harbor. The sky is painted in shades of orange and pink. It’s stunning. I pull out my phone to take a pic, but of course, it’s dead. Classic! I just sit there, soaking it all in. This is what life’s about, right? Just moments like this.
But then, I hear this commotion. A guy is trying to propose to his girlfriend, but he drops the ring in the water! I’m like, “Oh no, dude!” Everyone’s gasping, and I’m just standing there, half-laughing, half-cringing. He jumps in after it, and I’m thinking, “This is gonna be a story for the grandkids!”
Finally, I head back to the bus stop, still buzzing from the day. Volendam, you’ve been a wild ride! I’m exhausted but happy. I can’t wait to tell my friends about the seagull, the clogs, and the guy who almost lost his ring. What a day!