Amsterdam

Visiting Amsterdam, even if for one day, was a delightful excursion.  My memories of this canal city are so wonderful, and I wanted to see it again.  I arrived in the morning in the central train station and emerged to a beautiful summer day. 

Amsterdam's Central Train Station

My directions to the Rembrant Classic Hotel were clear and I was able to walk to this canal hotel. Amsterdam’s city centre is woven with beautiful canals, on which people boat, live and walk along side.

Although my room was not yet ready, they made a great effort to expedite my access.

On a previous visit to Amsterdam in 2004, I had seem many of the recommended tourist sites, and so I had a short list of things I wanted to do… in particular, I wanted to visit the Anne Frank House as I had missed doing that the last time.  The line can be horrendous in a busy summer tourist time, but fortunately it was less than an hour.  What a moving and sobering tour!  Otto Frank, the father and the family survivor, had insisted that the house remain unfurnished, and that made it striking in its austerity.  Pictures of the original setup were abundant.  I personally found it very emotional as Anne has, through her writing, become the very personal face for millions of young people whose lives were uprooted and eventually eradicated due to anti Semitism.  There was a powerful documentary at the conclusion that discussed the uneasy questions that our world is presently facing when making judgements about people wearing clothing that might lead to judgements… neo-nazi attire, gang attire, burkas… there were no easy answers given.

Back on the streets of Amsterdam I visited the flower market where there is an abundance of bulbs for sale and fresh flowers, which I purchased for my dinner visit with Nancy and Philippe.  The markets are beautiful and I wish I had some of the pictures I took to share on my iPad.

Dinner with my friends Nancy and Philippe and their lovely daughter Quinte was terrific.  Nancy had stayed with me in Edmonton in 2003 as she finished her university medical doctor program, and Philippe had come to Canada to see her and travel the Rockies.  We had a barbeque dinner in their home which they have done a wonderful job of restoring.  Nancy is preparing for a younger sister for Quinte in 8  weeks.

Somehow, on the tram to Nancy’s, my ipad disappeared.  I am glad the only pictures on it were the flower markets.

The next moring, I took a train to Shipinol airport and departed for London to join up with Paul and Lauren.