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Amsterdam and Anne We went up into the sky and then we quickly descended into Amsterdam (speedy!).  My photos do not capture the stunning beauty of this city. The reason we came:  The Anne Frank House If you buy the tickets online, you ring a bell and walk right in. The line is long and it is hot, so I'm thankful I was able to begin the tour easily. I walked up the steep stairs into the attic.  The displays are simple and informative.  I saw Anne's diaries.  I saw the pictures her father put on the walls in her tiny sleeping quarters. It was just as I imagined. I would LOVE to do this, but Bill said, "Yeah, have fun with that."  I love the big sign, don't you? Tomorrow we'll do some more walking and eating.  The next day, we'll take the train to Haarlem and visit the Corrie ten Boom museum.  I've been reading Corrie ten Boom's writings for years and I recently (a few days ago!) reread The Hiding Place.
It's VERY crowded here in Amsterdam and there are once again a million bicycles everywhere.  My bike, Sunshine, would not be able to make it on these streets and bike lanes - no gears.
I think we might have to break down and go to Starbucks in the morning.  It's close by and we really aren't used to big breakfasts (we eat them when available, however!)
Thank you for coming along!

Posted by Pom Pom at 11:28 AM 
a neat city! and anne frank - such an inspiration.

July 21, 2013 at 11:54 AM 
I have friends in Amsterdam, but sadly have never been there. Such a lovely city, I believe.
Corrie Ten Boom's 'No hiding place' is a wonderful book.

July 21, 2013 at 12:29 PM Nana Go-Go said...

When I visited Anne Frank's house, I thought I could almost hear the jackboots outside on the cobblestones. It was very,very atmospheric and haunting in the most awful way. Her story and those of millions of others who suffered the atrocities (and there are still people in this century in other countries suffering similar fates, let's not forget)is sadness in the extreme.
I love Amsterdam too - did you notice the large hooks at the tops of those beautiful houses? That's how they used to haul their furniture up and down when they moved house!Imagine doing that now. Did you go to the Ryjksmuseum(sp?)? Or the Van Gogh Museum? Both fascinating. Have the rest of a great holiday. x

July 21, 2013 at 12:35 PM 
Oh I am so glad you had time for an update. I love seeing Anne Frank's house. I had no idea about the canals. Duh, I know but I always think of Amsterdam as cobble stones. It is a beautiful lovely city. I cannot wait to see Haarlem tomorrow.You were really up high. I bet it was lovely looking down. I laughed about Sunshine, I bet she would be a little daunted by all of the other bikes.

July 21, 2013 at 12:54 PM 
Happy traveling, dear! Amsterdam looks so beautiful. I wonder -- are the canals clean? It must be hard to keep the water pure in a city like that. The boat was so pretty!

July 21, 2013 at 1:24 PM 
oh it is so pretty
would be a fun
place to live (:)

July 21, 2013 at 2:17 PM Plain Ol' Vanilla said...

Wow, this brought back memories of visiting Amsterdam 29 years ago. I was fascinated by how many windows (both in home and boat) had lovely lace curtains.

We also visited Anne Frank's house (now a museum) and it was very moving.


July 21, 2013 at 3:52 PM 
Don't you wish you had a bicycle to ride all around Amsterdam? I would get lost, but you wouldn't!

What an experience you are having. And thank you for sharing with us.

July 21, 2013 at 4:05 PM 
What a beautiful city and so much to do and see. And I am fascinated by the boats. Those are boats, right? Do people live on them? The one with flowers is stunning.

July 21, 2013 at 4:12 PM 
What a great trip. Your photos are very impressive.

July 21, 2013 at 4:38 PM 
So interesting that all those signs are in English! I went to Amsterdam in 7th grade, but weirdly enough (now that I think of it) we didn't go to the Anne Frank house. How can that be?

Thank you for sharing the pictures of your visit. I wish I were traveling with you!


July 21, 2013 at 5:57 PM Nancy McCarroll said...

So glad you got to see Amsterdam and Anne's house. I felt the same was as your husband about long lines, so never got into the house property.

Don't let all those tourists get in your way. Hard not to bugger on through but we Americans respect the queue, eh?

July 21, 2013 at 8:12 PM libbyquilter said...

what a beautiful city~!
your photographs are so well done too. it makes me happy to hear that you are enjoying yourself.


July 21, 2013 at 10:21 PM