sin, salvation, belgian waffles and crepes

Wow what a time it's been!!

Amsterdam is officially one of my favourite cities in the world.  Aside from it's general reputation for its liberal laws, the people are genrally wonderful and make a girl feel like anything is possible, and everything is cool (no matter how weird and wacky it might be)  The only exception:  almost getting my butt kicked by a prostitute in the red light district for accidently taking a photo from the wrong direction, then having a pleasant conversation with a police man about it during which time i was sure i would be arrested.  All ended well, andmy new American friend and I continued on our evening.

Afeter Amsterdam came Brussels, where I wandered their small and beautiful city quite peacefully, recovering from my previous indulgences.  I met a boy from Brussels who showed me the sights and we had my first rather fun conversation en francais.  I think I'm pretty good!! though a long way from bilingual.  I lived off Belgian waffles (omg, i'm going to be making them for the girls when i return).

Then off to Paris, where I am now for a few more hours before leaving for Bern, Switzerland.  Paris is beautiful.  I was just having a very pleasant conversation en francais with an older Parisain while eating my crepe in a pretty little park built in the 1800s;  This was shortly after a walk through the Catacombes, which were built in the 1700s and are full of Parisian bones, stacked high and organized in almost pretty walls accented with skulls.  Mostly it comes across as a super creepy setting for a bad horror film.  Pictures of this soon, I promise.

Next off to Bern for a day, then Interlaken where I will hike and engage in all sorts of adenture activities.  Maybe skydiving (finally) or hanggliding again... who knows.  Then Cinque Terre qt K & Cor's suggestion for 3 days of hiking and then on to Rome.  I can't describe how much I love it here.  My restlessness is fed by the constant movement to new cities, in search of new adventures.

I hope you all are well...
much love, Allison
ps forgive typos... keyboards are very different here and i've got a train to catch soon!!