In keeping with the theme of tacking long weekends on to business trips, Labor Day 2004 found us in Amsterdam. We used miles to stay at the Renaissance hotel (part of the Marriott chain), which is located within walking distance of the main train station. What we didn't know, and learned while exploring, is that the hotel is also walking distance to the infamous red light district. Indeed, these establishments have red lights outside, and there are women sitting on barstools in windows. It must have been a slow night when we passed, because the particular "worker" we saw was peeling potatoes. Gotta commend her for multitasking during a lull.

I think three nights was the perfect amount of time to spend in Amsterdam - any longer than that and the drugged out hippies and public urinals would start to get to you. Highlights of our trip include the flower market, canal cruises and apple pancakes (served for lunch because most restaurants don't open until noon, which was a bummer for us "full american breakfast" eaters). We visited the Van Gogh museum, but it was somewhat of a disappointment since we saw much more during the Van Gogh/Gauguin exhibit at the Art Institute last year. We also visited the "Cat Museum" which is a canal house with quite an extensive collection of cat art, sculpture, etc. So we've decided to charge admission to the loft on weekends :)