May 14, 2008
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Some of Amsterdam
After we spent ALL day walking around the Keukenhof Garden on Saturday, Bear drove Kit Kat and I to Amsterdam. We got into town about 7, found our hotel and then went to the grocery store to pick up supper. (If you ever want to save money, you can knock off hundreds of dollars on a trip by not eating at restaurants.) Anyway, the market was right on museum plein so I made them go over in the grass and play nice while I got some pictures of the Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum and the concert hall.
I really wanted Bear to stay in Amsterdam and run around with us but the plan was for him to drive home bright and early Sunday morning so he could rest up for a bit. He gets up at 0400 every morning for work so an early bedtime is good. Also, we knew he had weekend duty the following weekend which means that his next day off was going to be 12 days away. So some rest Sunday night was important to his “old man” health.
We went back to our hotel and after eating went out again and walked clear to Liedseplein so Kat could visit a coffee shop. Oh to be young again. ROFL. We went to The Bulldog. <—link} I didn’t have to smoke a thing because I’m a cheap date, I just drank a beer and breathed normally. I wouldn’t say I actually got high, let’s just say I was very relaxed. How do I know the difference you might ask? (1. I didn’t get the munchies, and let’s face it I’m a cow and (2. I didn’t get the giggles. Both sure signs for me, I did get a real bad case of “I want a cigarette”, which surprised the heck out of me after 2 and a half years of being a nonsmoker. That kinda made me sad, that it snuck up on me and that I’m still addicted in some part of my brain. Those habits die extremely hard. (I didn’t have one)
Bear took off bright and early the next morning (Sunday) and Kat and I started wandering and touring. I had seen this balcony the night before so I made sure we went past it again in daylight so I could see the details. I’m glad I did, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it before. Have any of you?Now a couple of doors. You guys have no idea how happy doors make me, it’s completely ridiculous! I was beyond thrilled when it was suggested to angi1972 that this years theme in pictures be doors. I literally have hundreds of door pictures from all over, and now I finally have a group of friends that appreciate them as much as I do.
We were waiting for the tram when I took this and while this copy looks rather washed, it printed out beautifully. If I was more computer savvy I could fix the colors, but I’m not so we all have to suffer.
Here’s an idea!!
I’ll go back and take another picture.(plot, plot, plan, plan)
We saw this on one of our wanders. The rest of the store was empty and there were no signs in English or Dutch to explain what it was or why it was there.
I love this bear, he looks very happy and I love a happy Bear
I asked my husband one day whether he considered himself more of a Grizzly type bear or a Brown bear. He said he was a Brown bear, then he paused and said except when I’m with you, then I’m more of a Teddy. Can I get an ah…..It’s comments like that that let him get away with nothing for Valentines day for 26 years. Who needs flowers and candy when you live with a guy that thinks like that?
When we saw this one we realized how much the canals look like roads.
We took a canal tour Monday morning and it came back to Westerkerk but I think it’s prettier at night. Anne Frank Huis is on the left just a few doors down from the church. This is the tower she could see from the attic and the chiming of the clock she could hear.
This is the tallest church tower in Amsterdam. It’s where Queen Beatrice was married in 1969 and is also where Rembrandt is buried. They don’t know for sure where his grave is but they think its on the northern wall.Speaking of Rembrandt…………..
That’s me knocking on Rembrandt’s front door….
….he didn’t answer.
We toured here and I took pictures in every room just like everyone else on the tour and then in the last room a docent scolded me for taking pictures. I thought then that she was a little late telling people no pics. Every other museum had signs as well as docents very clearly stating no pictures. This was the only place that didn’t. I should have known better.
I did get a bunch of really good pictures though!
And now one last picture.
Me and the I amsterdam sign, with my Bulldog bag and my Ireland jacket!
Hey, I was cold, the wind never quits, so give me a break, lol!
Yay, for Amsterdam. I promise to put up more pics and tell more, but this is plenty of my ramblings for now. hope everyone enjoyed it all.
All links are in RED
Comments (14)
Cutie! Ha..I love the last pic of you. Love the headband too.
Hey, these are awesome pictures. i can’t wait to see the ones you took inside the museum. heeheee…sneaky girl…..
I was giggling while reading this…especially about hubby and valentines and knocking on Rembrandt’s door..hahaha…Hey! You didn’t happen to get any teeth whitener while you were at Rembrandt’s did you?
BadaBooop!!
heeheeeee…
Have a wonderful day!
@piqued - Gah, you crack me up Bonnie.
I love Rembrant’s Door! I have never wanted to go to Amsterdam but you make me want to go! lol
Rembrandt’s a heavy sleeper!! He never answers! Nice pics.
Amsterdam is awesome.I loved it there!
Love the doors !
The coffee house that we went to served good inexpensive food….the best was some Chinese rice that old hippies made.
I love grocery shopping in foreign countries.
came over from Angi1972 site and those are neat photos of yours. thanks for sharing
I’m over from Angi’s too…and you certainly get an Ahhh from me….great pictures and good for your will power
Thanks for sharing!
Can you believe it ? Last night I was watching TV, and although I don’t usually pay a lot of attention to the commercials, this one was just screeming at me to giggle and marvel at the connections we have. Amstel beer’s latest ad campaign features a jaunty photo tour of Amsterdam. They first show the “I AMsterdam” sign….and I swear….it looks like you dancing around it. Fortunately, no one caught me hollerin’ out your name when I saw it….isn’t that karmic ?! I just love when coinkydinks like this happen…Yay, Hooray…….I need a nap. Ta
@cestmoe - It probably was me, ROFL, I was very happy to finally be there.
Good thing you didn’t knock on Van Gogh’s door. He still has one ear left he could mail you.
Great pics! I would love to visit Holland some day.
BTW, I don’t know if a person ever completely gets over the nicotine addiction. I haven’t smoked in a few years and occasionally I get a desire for one. I think it would be nice if I could forget how gloriously wonderful the things are.
I’ve been on the same canal as your picture! oh, it is so good to see A-dam again! i visited 2 years ago–for only a week & 1/2 but…such a beautifully architectured city!
@smiling_spunk - I need to put up some more pics before I leave for my trip home next week. I’ll really try to put off my procrastinating so you can see a bit more of one of your favorite places.
@indigolady - oh thank you! let me know when you get them up please:)
Thanks for sharing, loved the photos. The canal photo was great, I does look like a street.