Firstly, the Netherlands are in Holland, I think they are kind of like a state essentially. Then Amsterdam would be the capital of the state of Netherlands if that makes sense. The word "Netherland" actually means "low-laying lands" which is a perfect description. The Netherlands are literally below sea level and have more canals and water ways than Venice.
Driving down the highway, you see rolling, lush fields. They are full of goats, livestock, crops and have a soft, moss like appearance. Dotted in these fields are old barns and windmills. When you picture that classic windmill image-you know the square-ish wooden one-that is what they look like, like something from a book you read as a child. As you approach the city, you start to pass more and more canals and bridges. You pass what looks like a long, wooden, oddly shaped boat and wonder what they are; looking up you see the city skyline approaching. Driving through the city is like another world, something from Walt Disney's imagination. All the quaint, maybe 6 story high colored brick buildings, with intricate decor and little flowerbeds. The canals are full of those wooden box-like boats, studying them more closely, you realize that they are somesort of a houseboat! How neat! Who knew people actually live in houseboats? You also notice how advanced the road system is and feel a little envious the US doesn't have road systems as well designed. The streets are set up so that there is a lane for buses, cars and amazingly-for bikers! There are actual bike lanes with their own street lights, how cool is that? Driving to the hotel, you notice another bizarre sight- what appears to be a parking garage for bikes. Is that possible? Do those exist? There are literally hundreds, maybe thousands of bikes all together across from the hotel! I feel like I'm in another world, this is so vastly different than back home. There is such a perfectly blended mixture of sweet, quaint tradition and extreme modernization and technological innovation.
Our first night there we spent exploring the city. A bunch of us all grouped up and had an amazing time. We all took over a restaurant and were roudy, full of life and had such a great time. Joanna and I accidentally walked into some random place where there was a naked guy standing in the doorway...a little awkward. Then of course, we walked through the Red District where all the prostetutes are. Not that I am for prostitution, it's kinda awful, but it is fascinating how Holland on a whole looks at these things. All the women are protected by the law, taxed, and have a level of control in the decision-making, etc in the whole process. Of course, in general, I think the whole idea is just crazy and disgusting and dirty..talk about STDs! The same goes for drug use, since obviously pot is legal, there are stores and pub to get it in, just like a beer. They actually have a lower rate of hard drug usage than the US and other world leaders. Pretty fascinating how it all works, unfortunately I do not know if the US could handle these things. We are so crazy and overdo everything, who knows. Anyway, so the first night was great and gave us a feel for the city.
The next day, our first stop was the Van Gogh Museum. They were very strict with the no photo rules, so I was only able to snap a few. It was pretty amazing getting to see all of these world famous pieces of art!
Exploring the city. It really is such a fun city, so much to see and so very different than anything in the US.
Check out the bike lines!
The Anne Frank Museum! I really connected with her story when I read the book as a child and could not believe that I got to explore the annex where she and her family lived for so long, before finally being found and dying in a concentration camp. Truly humbling and such a crazy, hard to explain feeling inside as we explored the annex. Eerie and humbling.
Here we go! Behind the bookcase, is a secret steep latter to the annex. It was so crazy to be up there, see the rooms, view the pictures and just imagine what it was like. Unfortunately, it was so dark up there (and there was no flash allowed to keep the integrity of the place) that no pictures really came out. Once through the annex itself, the adjourning building on the other side was a museum of Anne and her family. Including the actual, original diary she wrote that would one day become the famous story of a beautiful young girl, with so much hope and character who ultimately met an untimely, horrible death. The museum's artifacts were authentic, raw and amazing.
Look how intricate every single building is! Exquisite! Also, check out this adorable, little 3-wheeled truck. I kept seeing these and am so happy I got a good picture of one!
Here is a perfect example of how impressive the transportation system was. Above shows the tram lane in the middle, the car lane and then the bike lane on the edge of the road. This is so efficient and awesome and was seen in many of the places I visited. Why can the US not pull this off??
This cheese shop was so cool! It had the whole cheese-making process before you, samples and all sorts of different cheeses. See, this is why I love Europe, we just don't have this back home!
This is a great example of the contrast of Amsterdam. This picture below captures the skyscrapers of technology and modernization, the canals which support and make this city possible, the tradition and classic-style homes and buildings on the left and finally, the bike parking lot, capturing the forward-thinking of this unique place.
Bike parking garage right outside our hotel: Welcome to forward-thinking.
Heineken vending machines in the hotel!
Driving along the countryside, these classic, basic windmills dotted the fields. The symbol of the Netherlands.
Amsterdam was truly a unique experience and city. We wandered into so many amazing little shops, street markets and just enjoyed the general splendor of the city. It is inspiring in so many ways..modern, city, quaint, traditional, accepting, technological innovation, ecofriendly and
so much more.
