In the Dam

Trip Start Jun 23, 2012

Trip End Jul 14, 2012

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Where I stayed

Hotel Mevlana Amsterdam

Flag of Netherlands Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Monday, June 25, 2012

We landed, gathered the bags, band-aided the feet (one of us) and wandered down to the train to head to Central. After a brief trip we emerged into the air and were greeted with the sights of Amsterdam - cobbled streets, canals and bridges, and bikes, bikes, bikes. Walking the deserted streets in the early morning was pleasant, though eventually the weight of packs started to bear down on us and we were glad to locate the hostel. Though we were too early to check in, we were still able to drop off the bags and don a new shirt and socks, (woo!).

A short stroll around revealed that 8am was generally far too early for a store in Amsterdam to begin breakfast trading. We did the tourist thing in Dam Square for a while, then retreated back to a cafe (not a coffee shop - there is a very important difference) to grab some toasted sandwiches and coffee to set us right. With some fuel in the tank we set off for the Anne Frank Huis to join the queue that was guaranteed to be growing by the minute

Dam Square

. The line to Amsterdam's most famous residence was tolerably long and it took about half an hour to get inside. Walking through the tiny building was an extremely personal experience of Holocaust. Quotes from Anne Frank, her family and those who assisted them follow one around on walls or in interviews and audio recordings. After looking at the furnished models of the spaces you enter behind the secret bookcase and get a glimpse at the hidden living quarters of six Jews who survived in hiding for over two years. Some excerpts of the original diary and her notes and revisions are on display and the reality of the situation is clear in a way few museums can provide. As a preserved monument to the resistance of the Nazi regime, it was a powerfully positive site and stands to remind one of the humanity, and not just the tragedy, of WWII.

We were in there for over an hour and thankfully emerged to some improving weather. Strolling back to the Dam area, we stopped in the odd Dutch sweet shop to have a look at the various delicious cakes, waffles and cheeses on display. Shenae took to some clothes shopping and I (after taking 10 minutes to negotiate my way out of the multi-level labyrinth) waited patiently in the square watching the throngs of locals and visitors pass by. A search for lunch took us through the canal areas and cobbled streets, though blistered and swollen feet became an issue once more

Dam Square

. We stopped for a quick drink to rest, then wandered through a market area and located a funky little sandwich shop. With a huge menu of tiny rolls, we made a selection of four different sandwiches of cheese, meats and chutneys and I enjoyed my first (of many) European beer.

With the GPS reliable as ever we made a direct return to the hostel, checked in and settled into the modest room two bed room. A brief respite that was supposed to take a hour or two carried us from 5pm to 10:30, and we hurriedly hit the footpath to find some dinner before McDonalds became the only option. We grabbed a steak and pasta, I had another beer, and we watched the thrum of the city continue into the night. Deciding to save the confronting excitement of Amsterdam's nightlife for another night, we returned to the hostel after midnight and settled down to knock over the residual flight fatigue and prepare for a busy next day.

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