Amsterdam Day One

With the best of intentions, I set the alarm for 7:30. When I got up at 10:30, the sun was shining, but by the time I got out of the shower, it was cloudy and looked like rain. It was kind of like that all day … sometimes sunglasses, sometimes wishing I had brought a winter hat. But it never did rain.

I headed toward the Canal Bus, and bought a ticket, but I had some time to kill before the next boat arrived. I went back and had a waffle and some hot chocolate (breakfast? lunch? I have no idea.) Oh, it was so good -- sweet and warm and no maple syrup in sight!I also walked around the grounds of the Rijksmuseum, but sadly I don’t think I’m going to have enough time here to really devote to seeing the inside!

I took the boat to Rembrandtplein, and found my way to the flower market. There were more bulbs than I have ever seen! Not a whole lot of flowers, but mostly bulbs. I think it’s actually a little early for tulip season.






I did a lot of walking in the area, and eventually got back on the Canal Bus back up to Central Station.















(While waiting near the Waterlooplein market, I took this picture.)











I walked around the Dam area for a while, getting a little lost, and eventually found my way to the Anne Frank House.

I was surprise to see a line wrapped around the building, and debated whether or not to wait. But this was the one museum I really was looking forward to, as it had been highly recommended, and the line didn’t take too long. The museum was incredible … to see those rooms, and the hidden door gave me goosebumps. They’ve preserved the pictures that Anne glued to the wall in her room, as well as a growth chart of the children during their time in hiding. It was really moving. I wanted to pick up a book, but will probably wait until I get back to the US.


I headed back for the Dam, and was going to get some dinner … but got sidetracked by shopping! (Greg, stop reading here!) I found three shirts, and a pair of shoes. Who would I have thought I would find shirts to fit me in Europe, considering all the problems I have at home!

I did eventually have dinner at an Asian place called “nooch.” They gave me a business card with the bill that says “nooch brings you very good fortune.” Hmmm… maybe that will be my new motto. It was also my first ever fortune cookie in 4 languages, not one of them being Chinese. I think I forgot to save it, though, since I was in a rush to get back on the last Canal Bus of the night. I had a longer walk than earlier back to the hotel, since the bus “driver” didn’t go to the last stop he was supposed to. Which was ok, until I made a wrong turn. I’m in a pretty residential area, but I didn’t want to pull out a map in the middle of the street. I wasn’t too far off, and eventually recognized where I was.