Deserves more than a 1 day visit
Trip Start
Jun 15, 2010
1
9
12
Trip End
Jun 30, 2010
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Monday, June 28, 2010
I had purchased tickets to the Ann Frank house on the internet. I read somewhere to go early in the day as the line to get in gets quite long in the afternoon. We arrived around 9:15 am and the line was already down and around the corner a ways. I walked up towards the front of the line and asked to no one in particular if this was the line to get tickets. Most people just looked at me (duh, I forgot I was the one speaking the foreign language) but someone understood and told me it was. I looked around for another entrance and since I didn't see one I took a deep breath and proceeded to "excuse me, excuse me, excuse me" through the line to the entrance. One surly chap wasn't about to move. I stopped and looked him in the eye, he looked back, we stared, I said "excuse me", he stood there. I said "excuse me". He stood there. I stood there. Obviously being afraid of my large stature (5' 3") he moved aside. After I got into the building a nice young man at the counter told me to bring my party right in since I already had tickets. Oh, oh, that meant I had to go past the big guy who didn't like to move. I asked if there was another way to get in as several people in line were already mad at me. He laughed and told me what door to use.
The Ann Frank house is a very moving tribute to a very brave family with devoted friends. The rooms are small and, today, contain no furniture. The stairs to each floor are extremely steep. They had a model of the rooms that showed where all the furniture had been located. It seemed cramped without the furniture so I can't even imagine how all those people lived in such tight quarters for so long. You are not allowed to take pictures here and even if you were I don't think I would want to. It is such a solemn experience it would be ruined by several people snapping pictures.
We next went on the HOHO canal tour (Hop on, Hop off). Getting around the city by canal is quite easy but not speedy. They have several stops on 4 different routes and once you get the hang of it it is simple. We got off at the museum stop as we wanted to go to the Van Gogh museum. Randy and I are not really Van Gogh fans but it was interesting to read about his life. I was surprised to find he shot himself.
We hopped back on the HOHO and headed for the Red Light District. Before arriving there we stopped at a Italian cafe and ordered a salad and pizza to share. Not our American style salad or pizza but both were extremely good. These sidewalk cafes make for the best people watching.
Today The Netherlands is playing in the World Cup. Everyone is in orange. There is one bar that is advertising free drinks whenever Holland scores. The game starts at 4:00 Holland time and we have to be back on the ship by 5:30 so we won't be able to stay and cheer with them.
On to the Red Light District. You can buy and do almost anything here. There are "coffee shops" where it is legal to buy and smoke marijuana. There are live porn shows and prostitution is legal. Even though it was mid afternoon when we strolled through, there were a few "ladies" in the windows showing their wares. I don't think I would want to be in this area after dark but it is quite safe during the day and we noticed a few tour groups walking around. We continued walking north until we hit the canal and HOHO. The boat dropped us off within walking distance of our ship.
Randy and I agree that we would like to come back and spend several days in this wonderful city.
Next country - Belgium.
