After getting some much-needed rest after our first day in Amsterdam, I woke up excited to explore the city properly. After eating breakfast that was noticeably similar to the typical American breakfast, we met Brian and departed on the metro towards Grand Centraal.

After a short walk through the city, my group of fellow students and I were able to taste a variety of chocolates at a store called Cacoa and Spices. The owner of this store was able to wow us with her incredible variety of chocolates that tasted amazing and were created sustainably. In fact, one brand was so sustainable that the company only transports its chocolates via bikes and sailboats. This store was dedicated to only selling chocolates that were created ethically and sustainably, while also not sacrificing quality taste. These chocolates did just that–they were created with sustainability in mind, and some tasted so good that they won high awards from the Chocolate Academy.

Next, we were taken on a tour of the city center that explained some of its history. We got some explanations on the architecture style, some past and present political decisions that have been key to how the city has been culturally shaped, and some of the best restaurants and shops we could visit.

During our lunch break, I was able to try a shop that prides itself on making the best pie in Amsterdam. The pie was good, but it has nothing on American apple pie. We then took a boat tour that explored the canals and explained the history of the buildings that surrounded them. After this, my free time included further walking through the city and eating dinner at a local Amsterdam pub.