Amsterdam

Jeremia and I have spent the last two nights in Amsterdam at my dad's cousins house. Pom and Guus live right down town. Pom works at a history Museum, and Guus is a doctor. They are wonderful company, and have been very hospitable.

We spent today exploring the city. It is a beautiful place, especailly in the spring time. The flowers and trees are in bloom, the sun is brightly shining on the water, and the air is crisp.

We walked to the museum quarter first thing this morning and our first stop was the Rijks Museum, this is the Dutch National Museum with works from all the Dutch masters, and many works that tell the story of the Netherlands History. Most of the museum is shut down for renovations, but we were able to some beautiful works.

In art school I studied many of these paintings, and since I have not been here in ten years, it was very exciting to see them again. The favourite, of course from the Rijks was "The Night Watch" by Rembrandt. This is a very impressive painting that I have always thought to be special. To see it up close was invigorating. The balance between light and dark is indescribable, something that can not be put into words.

There was also a special exhibition with the works of Vermeer. These works were also impressive to see, and to have them all together was also something that does not happen often, since some of his famous paintings are housed in a museum in Washington.

After the Rijks, Jeremia and I went to a small grocery store and bought our lunch, a blue cheese and pear salad, with a rye baguette with cheese. We sat on the grass in front of the museums. A lovely little rest, as we reflected on the beautiful art work.

We then ventured into the Van Gogh Museum. Also one of my favourite Dutch artist's and also one of the most famous. The very popular "Starry Night" was included in this current exhibit, on loan from the MOMA. I have never seen this work in real life, so I was very happy to have this opportunity.

Once we were finished in the Van Gogh, we headed out on the streets of Amsterdam. What a City!! Bikes Everywhere! It is such a way of life here that is so different form back home. Women going to work in high heels, zipping down a street with cafe's and a beautiful canal on one side. Men texting as they pedal to meet friends for drinks, mom's with a trailer of sorts to carry children to school and back, no one drives EVERYONE bikes. There are tens of thousands of bikes in Amsterdam!

As we walked through the canal side streets we were in awe with the lifestyle of people who live here. It is amazing to see a new way of life that seems to make so much sense. No cars. Only Bikes! A novel concept.

We found ourselves on the door step to the house where Anne Frank and her family was hidden during WWII. We were able to step inside for a tour. Little sis I know that this tour would transport me back to a time when the Jewish people were forced to wear gold stars, and hide in hidden Upper Annexe's. It was a sobering experience and one that I will not forget. It told the story, of just one small girls experience, through the war. Anne and her family hid for two years. Never going outside, Never seeing the sun shine or feel a breeze on her face. Two years, only to be betrayed, sold out, to the Germans and then brutally killed in Auschwitz. Her story, although unique to her feelings, was one of many Jews hidden in the tall, canal side homes of Amsterdam during the German rule.

The journey back in time to WWII, left me wondering about those around us that may still feel this type of oppression... is this hatred and horrible treatment of people still happening around the world today? Am I going to let that happen? Should we be doing more? All of these questions are going through my head as I type these recollections...

As we headed out of the Anne Frank house we decided to stop for a glass of wine, we wanted to talk about what we just saw, and ponder the surroundings. We found a great little table, canal side. We watched the boats go by, as we thought about what it would have been like only 50 years ago.

We spent the rest of the afternoon, taking in the sun shine, and then walking back home to a beautiful dinner and great conversation.

Tomorrow we will take a large cycle trip out to the ocean, and then pick up my parents from the airport and head to the north of Holland.

As for now, it is time to head to bed... just a few thoughts from a very insightful day... It is always good to keep learning, and that is what I feel I am doing!