Flying in to Amsterdam was amazing! Our first thought of the city was how well it was designed around the many canals that ran along the streets. It was so beautiful seeing many swans swimming through the water during all times of the day and night. The weather had improved for us since chilly Prague and we could leave our gloves at home.
Swans in the water
Canal at night
I visited the home in which Anne Frank lived during her family’s hiding in Amsterdam. This is where she had written her now famous diary. The home is now preserved as a museum and I was able to enter through the secret book case into the annex where her family was hiding with another in the 30’s. I remember reading Anne’s diary as a teenager and had always remembered how interesting it was to me. It was a crazy feeling to be walking on the very streets that were overtaken by the Nazis before WW2, and to see the small living quarters her family and friends lived in for almost 2 years.
Justin was able to visit the Van Gogh museum during this time. He was surprised to see how small some of his famous paintings actually were in person. He came home inspired due to the many colors he blends so well into his artwork.
We loved our row house we rented a room in. Once again we had a roof top terrace off our bedroom. This place was a bit more on the expensive side, but we did get quite a large space with a gracious host and his little pup.
Our room
This staircase is crazy steep and has 31 steps up to our room
We were very fortunate to have heard about a small little industrial village close to town where the residents are still making homemade cheese, wooden shoes, and chocolate with the power of the windmill! This was a beautiful place. Very green and surrounded by clean air and farm animals. We saw a demonstration on how they used to make the traditional Dutch wooden shoes without electric tools. Many were intricate and beautiful. The windmills themselves were an awesome site to see!! They were so large it makes sense that they could produce the power needed to run the business inside.
J and I as kissing dolls
Sheep
Amsterdam also has some of the best deserts imaginable… our favorite was this fried bread roll with cream custard and powdered sugar on top! We went back a few times throughout our stay here.
The bike riding is CRAZY!!! There are more bikes in this city than I have ever seen!! While crossing the street you literally have to watch out for 1) cars 2) trams 3) bikes!!! Even when you think you can cross, you must run in case you missed something:) It is amazing how the whole city relies on public transportation or bikes. If you are in a car… you are the minority for sure. Everyone young and old has there trusty bike with them.
The other attraction the Netherlands brings is the legal use of Marijuana, which you can purchase in the “coffee shops”. Prostitution is also legal here and so comes the famous “Red Light” district. Prostitutes stand in their own window putting themselves on display for sale. It was quite sad to see… we did a little research on the subject before hand, and even though it is legal, it is still a scene filled with addiction, human trafficking and other crime. This city is quite an interesting one…
and a little cold!!! We are hoping to make it to the Eiffel Tower this evening after some well needed rest and relaxation.
We love you all and miss you a lot!! Thanks for keeping up with us!
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