HAPPY PI(E) DAY!

Why do the Americans (and the Japanese as well, I think?) have their dates written as month/date/year? It's not only strange but pretty much the rest of the world do it the other way: aka the normal way? I guess (as far as I know) the Koreans do it in the year/month/day format but that's a cultural thing I think. Just like how they write their addresses: city, street name, building number.

Anywayyyyyy I'm going seriously off-topic, what I really wanted to say was at least the Americans got today right: it's 3.14 today, aka the approximate value of pi! Not that I like pi that much... was a nightmare during my school days. But I survived and I still know how to calculate the circumference of a circle so hey.

The pi that I like more, however, is the one that comes in all shapes and sizes, savoury and sweet. The pi that I love regardless of whether it's made with puff or shortcrust pastry, whether it's got an apple filling or chicken and ham with mash on the side. Speaking of which, the farmer's market at Byng Place next to UCL has a great pie stall that does an amazing chicken and ham pie with mash. Just make sure you're not off to a lecture after because you WILL definitely be in a food coma. And you wouldn't be able to eat it all in one go (unless you're some sort of bulking beast). I remember having to eat the rest of mine for dinner that day. The same stall is at the farmer's market on Guy's Campus (King's) on Tuesdays too.

Basically, I definitely am not picky with pie (unless it's done very badly, of course). Just like how I'm not with pancakes, as I've mentioned in my Pancake Day post. FEED ME ALL THE PIES!

Because it is pi(e) day though, I feel like I should give a shoutout to one of the most memorable pies that I've ever had, and I feel like that should be.... *drumroll*

The apple pies from Winkel 43, Amsterdam!!!

I mean... isn't she beautiful?

I think I just shed a tear.

It was quite a deep pie, and I was surprised. But it means that there was a lot of filling. Yummm. One of your five a day innit. And lovely pie crust too.

The infamous apple pies also make a brief appearance in my Amsterdam vlog. The whole thing is a bit long, but if you can't bear to watch me being really silly on camera, the bit you really want is at 9:16.

If I remember correctly you can get them for less than 5 euros each, and it is normally served with a massive side of whipped cream to balance out the richness of the pie. It IS a lot of whipped cream though, mind, and I found that there was enough for me and Van Lynn when I leeched off some of hers. Then again, I am not a massive whipped cream person as well.

A glimpse of the MOUNTAIN of whipped cream that is served with the pie.

The cafe is not far from the Anne Frank House museum as well (facing the Anne Frank House from the opposite side of the canal, turn left and keep going until you reach a market square in front of a church, the cafe is on a corner of the square), which was where we were headed after our apple pie breakfast. If you asked me what are the 2 things you absolutely have to do in Amsterdam, I would say 1) The Anne Frank House museum and 2) apple pie before/after the Anne Frank House. The Anne Frank House was an absolutely moving experience for me. I've not read The Diary of Anne Frank (yet), but visiting the Anne Frank House made me feel like I could connect the contents of the diary (which are displayed in the museum) to an actual person that lived and breathed in this world, at an unfortunate time. It was just really mindblowing that someone who was so young had such a deep and mature insight about things, clever things that people only knew about after her death. She was so, so clever and it was a shame that she was born at a time when the world was torn apart by war, and had her life taken by the war so young. I'd imagine she would have done something great if given the opportunity, if she was in the world at a better time.

Also, if you've read/watched The Fault in Our Stars, the place (or Amsterdam in general) is a special place for all fans (LIKE ME. THAT BOOK IS ONE OF THE BEST EVER AND THE MOVIE WAS DONE SO WELL).

Here's to apple pies, pi days, and to a period of no war (for now). If you are interested, the address of the cafe is:

Noordermarkt 43, 1015 NA Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Let me know what you think if you ever get the chance to visit the cafe!

P.S. Special shoutout to VAN LYNN FOO, one of my BFFs (we've known each other for more than 10 years! And we have a pretty cute story of how we met... but that's a story for another time hehe) and travel buddy for the apple pie pictures! I was originally going to post my own pictures but my external hard disk is being a bit wonky so I can't access my Amsterdam photos. I'm going to have to get Dad aka the IT help desk of the house to look at it. BUT THANK GOODNESS FOR VAN LYNN HEYYYYY. She also features in my Venice vlog, so check that out for more of our shenanigans.