Amsterdam makes you do strange things...

I just returned from a weekend trip to Amsterdam with some classmates. I've been to Amsterdam before, but I completely forgot what a circus the city was. Bikes, cars, trams and pedestrians all trying to navigate the streets. And then there's the Red-Light District. This place is insane. No description would do it justice. You just have to go and experience it.

Nothing really exciting transpired. We walked the streets in the freezing cold. We went to the Van Gogh museum. It rained.

And then it happened. I turned my back on one of the things in my life that I hold most sacred.

I ate at McDonald's.

If you've known me for any period of time you've likely heard me yammer on about my no-McDonald's streak dating back to 1999. I decided long ago to cut out something unhealthy from my life and since McDonald's is the easiest fast food to acquire, it became my small sacrifice. Honestly, I've adhered to this policy quite faithfully (with exceptions for the occasional apple pie and soft serve sundae) and am happy I did it.

For the sake of full-disclosure, there was another incident in 2000 (the last time I was in Europe). I partook of a McDonald's meal in Switzerland. Not because I craved it, but because I was starving.

This time, I quasi-broke the rule for a reason. Before coming to Europe I decided I was going to try and sample as many local delicacies as possible. If a whole nation thinks something is delicious, then it probably is. The Netherlands is no different. They have this thing called a "kroket" that is eaten in a bun. It looks like a fish stick and is basically a breaded, deep-fried beef ragout. Well, McDonald's puts this thing in a burger-format with some seasoned mayonnaise and presto! McKroket Burger (€1.95). And it's as tasty as it looks.

So despite what I said above, I still consider the streak to be alive. Well, in North America it is at least.


Teeks