I took a different approach to travel this year. Instead of an isolated place as far away from the city as I can get playing in the ocean or trekking a jungle, I'm going to Amsterdam. And, it will not involve tropical weather with 85 degree ocean water. It will be cold, windy and rainy - but I've wanted to go for years to celebrate the festivals that take place there during November. And what better weather could there be for coffee shop(s), bar(s), some Heineken(s) and the cannabis cup - plus add thousands of fun loving people that just want to enjoy life with some smoke, music, art, film festival, coffee shops, and live music every night. Sounds like a good pre-cursor to the more serious trips I want to follow up with. I will get to Africa, Palau to swim in jelly fish lake, Thailand, Philippines - ah hell you name it I want to be there at least once. But for now, this is a trip I want to do solo without feeling lonely. I managed to acquire a good deal of airline miles and even had some extra points for my room. All together I am just paying for my judges pass and partly for the hotel, which is located right in the center of the Leidseplein. I expect to hopefully get some interesting photos of my journey. Obviously it won't be a seascape or any underwater stuff - but variety, novelty - all still around the corner. I'm going to pick up a 50mm fixed lense (fast for low light/indoors) and probably a fisheye lens as well because coffee shop shots (if I'm allowed) would be great with a fisheye - since reality is going to be a bit altered to begin with. I am a true Californian, I have no cold weather clothing, looks like I got some shopping to do.
