Amsterdam, Netherlands 04 May 2009

   We were up, dressed, and consumed a marvelous breakfast then ready to go in the hotel lobby by 8am.  We walked briskly to the train station and took the train for 15-20 minutes into Amsterdam. This cost was  covered by the tour but the tickets said E$33.50.  In fact all but lunch and dinner were covered today.  As soon as we arrived in Amsterdam we went to Anne Frank's House.  What a moving experience that was.  We were not allowed to take any photos inside but I have this one photo of her statue outside.  I bought a folder for E$2.00 and I can scan some photos from that for my album.  Amazingly the woman who was one of the Frank Family helpers will turn 100 in January.  Throughout the house are displays and recordings of the actual people about the events that took place.  We viewed Anne's actual diary.  As I said, it was very moving.

   We walked around the city enough to get some nice photos and see the various architecture.  It is so beautiful.  Flags are flown at half staff because today is a holiday commemorating the end of WWII; a day of reflection to commemorate this.  At 8pm the entire nation has 2 minutes of silence; trains stop, people do not speak, and the TV broadcast has just some national things leading up to the 2 minutes, then it is silent with just a photo too.  How interesting that we went to Anne Frank's House today.  Tomorrow is a day of celebration; a memorial for all.  There will be a huge celebration in Amsterdam tonight with the queen and every thing!   We went to the square where this will be celebrated  and viewed the square and the Peace Monument.  Next was a visit to one of the "hidden" churches, a picture is here.  This came about because of the reform; Martin Luther's influence.  The people of the Netherlands were no longer happy with Catholicism.  They felt each person should do as they believed, or not.  Therefore, even though most of the country was now Protestant they felt if others wanted to be Catholic that was fine too, but they would need to be somewhat covert about this, so these hidden churches were made.  They used the front of houses and then they opened up into huge, beautiful churches inside.  Next was the facility that was once an orphanage.  It was an interesting stop with some wood carving statues of David and Goliath.  We then learned about the three X's as the symbol of Amsterdam.  You see XXX on buildings, boats, etc.  These are things people want to be mindful of in the city.  The first X is for fire, the second X is for plague, and the third X is for water.  One can see his symbol in many places and you can see how it means so much to them since the buildings are so close together, they are below sea level, and plague spreads fast in close quarters.      

   Another thing about all of the cities, they have caricatures out front above the doors or on the sidings, and mosaics in the sidewalk out front that have been there forever.  These would tell people what sort of store it was as there were many illiterate.  For instance a tailor would have a mosaic of scissors and the pharmacy would have a caricature of someone with an open mouth. Oh yes, there are many McDonalds.  We met some German apprentice carpenters on our journey.  As part of their training they must leave home and travel all over Europe for 3 years and 1 day.  They talked to us briefly and we gave them a small donation to take their photos.  Roelinka said they are an unusual site and we were fortunate to see them as this is rare. 

We were amused about these men's urinals on the street.  A man just stepped out of it before John posed for this photo!  Different cultures bring different things. 

  Next was our lunch break.  We were on our own with a few different options.  We ended up with a piece of pork leg, roasted potatoes and a salad.  All of our choices were delicious.  We shared our meal and we still could not eat it all.  (E$16.00).  I wanted some sauteed spinach I saw but I had to order fish in order to buy this and the offering was eel, so I passed. 

   After this we headed to the Rijksmuseum.  Our guide gave us a tour and explained so many of the paintings to us.  It was fabulous.  We saw and had explained many Rembrandt masterpieces.  This really brought them to life.  He was an amazing and talented man.  Again we were not allowed to take photos so I bought a book of postcards for E$10.00 and I can scan them.  It was a wonderful visit.  As we perused the book store I discovered that John recalled two phases in Dutch that John's Father taught him!  "Pass the bread" and "Is your mother home?"  How amazing that after 25 years he came up with this.  I have asked him many times about this sort of thing and he said he just remembered.  Perhaps hearing all the Dutch speakers prompted this. 

  Now we are off to our canal cruise.  It was very interesting and so nice to sit down after all the walking.  There are dried blossoms from trees blowing all over the city and many floating in the canals.  In case you wonder if that is trash, it is not.  As we cruised we went to the largest canal entering the North Sea.  Low and behold, what do we see but a cruise ship.  As we got closer I noticed it was the Vision of the Seas; the one June and I, plus Cheryl and a friend went on in December 2007.  Here is a photo for June and Cheryl. 

  We got off after some time and walked to the Red Light District.  Yes, prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, as is smoking pot.  Again our guide asked us not to take any photos.  It was actually interesting.  They ladies wait in a "window" that they rent, not naked but seductively dressed.  They are self employed and pay taxes, etc.  These ladies make good livings, which makes it hard for them to quit; maybe $500.-$600. per day.  They have health care and more.  Some are even wives doing this at night and mom's by day, with their husband's consent.  It is a different world. 

  Walking to the train station now and heading back to Haarlem to the hotel.  By the time we arrive it has been a 12 hour day and we can feel it!  But we saw at least three times what we would have seen on our own. Walking back to the hotel many couples stopped for dinner but John's knee is bothering him and my feet are tired, so we came back directly to the hotel.  We got a tray of meat and cheese, plus a bottle of wine and that was our dinner.  Jeff the wine was from France; Tariquet famille Grassa-Merlot, Syrah, Tannat.  What a fantastic day we had.  

Temperature:  Cold, some wind but not horrible.  Very warm in the museum.  Supposed rain expected tomorrow. 

I am wondering what will happen with the Uncle situation tomorrow!  Waiting to hear from Deb tomorrow about that.  Wow, I am TIRED, I hope this blog makes sense.