Monday in Amsterdam

It was another beautiful day in Holland, the day dawned bright and clear. Bob was determined to get us down to the Anne Frank house in Prinsengracht street before it opened. We were determined as well. The girls remembered waiting in line the last time before giving up. And we were rewarded for our early arrival. We arrived to a short line about 8:45 with the museum opening at 9 a.m. But the line even began to move before 9 and we were paid and in by 9 a.m.! All of us were feeling really good about that, no long lines for us!

We took our time going through the house and reading all about Anne and the Franks' lives, as well as the others who lived there (not much was said about them but in passing mention where they lived and slept). I think that the girls were emotionally connected with the story, in part I believe because they could identify with a 13 year old girl. But the idea of one ethnic group gassing another ethnic group was still hard for them to wrap their minds around, as I watched them walk through the house.

After visiting the book store and buying a couple of books (of course one being a book on Anne Frank's diary) we headed out the exit to find a long line waiting to get in. The girls were so relieved that we weren't part of that line. We found Bob up the street in one of his favorite cafes, had a snack of donuts and hot chocolate and headed to the tram. The next stop was the Rijks museum (Royal museum) of Art. Bob was our tour guide and we enjoyed getting a nice overview from him about the Dutch masters. Some of the most famous Dutch paintings were on display. However the museum was closed for renovation in other parts so this was a small portion of the works they had. It also made for large crowds in limited space. Nevertheless we saw what we wanted to see. There was Rembrandt doing self-portraits as a young and old man. There was Vermeer and his painting of the milk maid. There was a Degas exhibit, there for the summer. We also stopped by that bookstore which added to the load we are bringing home.

We walked through an outdoor market of people selling everything and found a lunch at a Falafel

and French Fries shop. Bob also bought a herring sandwich and I bought one too. He had said he would introduce me to it if I wanted and I had said yes. But the herring was rather slimy and it was hard to down at first. But with the onions and the pickle and the bread it was edible. I rather liked it at the end.

Finally we took a tram ride down to the Centraal Station, a ferry ride to a free parking spot on the north side of town, then over to Joy & Henk's house for a very short visit. They are a busy family so we soon said good-bye to them.

Our final hours were washing clothes and packing suitcases one more time. Tomorrow there will be one final reckoning. Then we are off.