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12/05/2006: "Amsterdam"
After enjoying our time in Brussels and Bruges, Belgium, we headed for Amsterdam. If you are familiar with Amsterdam and its “culture”, you will know that it is an interesting city to take a 12-year-old boy to. With the legal use and sale of soft drugs and sex, it creates an excellent teaching opportunity. Alamo is certainly a sheltered community and one of our goals was to expose Nick to the world.
That said, Amsterdam is a beautiful city with incredible architecture and waterways. We have even found the food to be quite good. There are so many languages spoken here, that it seems everyone has settled on English. This past evening we took in a movie (Casino Royal) at a beautiful art nouveau theater. All carved wood and frescos with three levels and boxes. People brought in a bottle of wine and dinner to enjoy the movie. Incredible! For dinner, we went to an English pup. I found one of the quotes on the wall to be fitting (Ellen E., this one is for you), "If you can keep your head through all the confusion, then you don’t understand the situation."
We have been staying at a hotel on Amstel St. (Have I mentioned how good the beer is?), which is right on one of the main canals near the center of the city. It has been an easy walk through the districts and to the museums. We got a chance to visit the Rijksmuseum that houses many Rembrandts and other famous Flemish artists of the Golden period. The realism, vivid colors and sharp contrasts are something to see. We found this statue of cupid at the top of the stairwell. Then we walked over to the Van Gogh museum to see an incredible collection of Vincent’s work. Did you know he only lived to be 36, didn’t start painting until his mid 20’s yet produced over one thousand pieces? Considered one of the most famous painters, he sold only one piece of work while he was alive.
Today (Tues 12/05), we may be traveling again. We are looking at altering our route and heading south to Luxembourg. From there we will circle around and up the Rhine or Mosel back to Cologne by Friday. We are having a great time. I am dealing with some pretty good pain off and on but I believe it is from constant movement of my neck looking at the amazing sights. In this photo, Nick enjoys a big pot of muscles.
Replies: 8 Comments
on Friday, December 8th, Easton said
Hey, I hope yall are having a great time. The pics look awesome. Bad news though, Im getting surgery on my wrist either on the 20th or the 2nd of Jan. I'm getting a bone graph and a couple pins put in and I'll be in a elbow cast for 6 to 8 weeks and then a regular arm cast for about 3 months, so there goes my Christmas break. Love Ya and I'll see you in a few weeks.
Love,
Easton
on Thursday, December 7th, Linda U said
During your blog about Belgium, I came to realize how dumb I can be! You talked about chocolate, beer and lace. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what type of food "lace" is! Then it dawned on me that "lace" is Belgium fru-fru stuff and not a food. What can you expect from someone that wears mostly flannel PJ'S!
All your pictures are fantastic.
on Thursday, December 7th, Janet said
Hi Doug: Greg and I were in Amsterdam last May. I was overwhelmed with amazement at the architecture and age of many of the buildings we saw. We stayed in a small hotel off the main areas very near the Van Gogh exibit. We also ate at a small English Pub nearby Maybe the same one. The two women sitting next to us were retired teachers from Napa. It is such a small world. Thank you for sharing your trip. Love the pictures. Janet
on Thursday, December 7th, Beena said
I would love to be there! I am looking forward to seeing Alex this weekend. I think she may need to change in her enviroment a little so I am going to take her to Grandmares on Sunday. Mom said that she was constantly just standing there staring at the big family picture then grapping mom's hand to stand with her. Hopefully that tells you how much she missing you. So don't think for a moment she doesn't realize you have been gone a long time. Call me on Saturday or Sunday morning so you can talk to Alex. Love you lots
on Thursday, December 7th, sando said
thanks for sharing the picts! It is so nice to hear that you are having a good adventure - I can hear your excitement in your entires! So great you can share this all with Nick
keep it coming and drink some warm festive grog or something for me!
on Wednesday, December 6th, Millie said
I enjoy reading about your trip. Uncle Jim and I leave for Puerto Rico today. I'm sure Nick is getting a great education!
on Tuesday, December 5th, little bro said
Just a little note about your cupid at home. Auntie pick her up from a difficult day at school she was told. She got better once home. Havent got any emergency calls from her keepers. So no worries on our end. Love ya and yours
on Tuesday, December 5th, Linda said
The quote you put in here for EE will help her understand Mac better!! Glad you are have a good time. I love Amsterdam and the rijstaffels!!!
