Rijks & on our way home!
Trip Start
Nov 29, 2011
1
11
Trip End
Dec 10, 2011
What I did
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Friday, December 9, 2011
Harvey casually updates us on the latest news of Israel and Hamas. One of the other guests overhears us and asks about it. We meet Mark who is a Christian Lebanese but living in Montreal and here in Amsterdam as a guitarist with his group performing in a concert. He shares some of his background and like us wants peace between his country and Israel. He offers a different perspective on how to achieve that peace. Before we depart, he gives Harvey a web address so that he can see a video of one of their peace songs. What's the reason for traveling if you don't get exposed to different viewpoints?
News flash – the Rijksmuseum now allows photos without flash. This morning, we make one last visit to the Rijksmuseum that is a convenient two blocks from the Hotel Fita. While walking around I see someone taking a photo and ask the security guard and we learn it’s okay to take photos! The policy just changed this week. So, we take another pass through and take photos of some of our favorite paintings, especially close-ups where I can see the brush strokes. It will be great to have these to trigger my memory.
On the way to the airport, there are storm clouds in the distance that seem to be lifted directly out of the 17th century paintings. There are farm fields in shadow with sun beaming through on some green fields. It is just like a Jacob van Ruisdael painting!
Before we know it we’re seated in the plane and relieved to find that in our 3-across seats there are just 2 of us. So we have a more comfortable flight home.
"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure.
There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with
our eyes open." – Jawaharial Nehru
