Amsterdam Day 2 - Leisure Time

Well, let's face it. When you're only spending three days in a city you actually want to see, you don't really have time for leisure. However, day two of our trip to Amsterdam was the closest we got to that. After our long trip there and first day, we got a very much needed good night of sleep. I think the relaxing vacation pace washed over us and we took our time getting ready and having breakfast at the hotel. Around noon, we pulled out our map and decided what we wanted to do for the day. First on the agenda was the flower kiosks we saw on the map lining the canal. It being Saturday, we were pretty sure that would be a happening place.

Low and behold, the market was a short block and half from our front door. The first (and main) shop we arrived at held the most beautiful sight, one that we flew across the Atlantic to see, tons and tons of tulips! It was so pretty that there were signs up all over the shop stating that no cameras were allowed inside. So, Mike stepped to the street outside to steal a shot of me with the bouquets:

Other than many other floral shops, there were lots of souvenir shops both floating on the canal and in the buildings lining the street. So, we zig zagged back and forth. We did some chochkie shopping for stuff to take back home, enjoyed taking in the sweet floral aroma and did a bit of people watching.

On My Tippy Toes Trying to Fit Into the Hanging Dutch Girl Hat

Market and People

We Were There Too!

Graffitied Alley with Bikes (of course)

Once we were all shopped out, we headed towards Dam Square. It's the home of the Royal Palace and the National Monument. On the way there, we commented on how much construction we saw happening. Big projects seemed to be going on everywhere. At least the Dutch have a sense of humor when it comes to trying to hide it a bit:

We had a sense of humor about it too.

In the square, there was plenty to feast your eyes on. With it being a natural gathering place to hang out, a setting for peaceful protests, festivals, trams, etc., there was no shortage of action.

Archway Leading Into Dam Square

National Monument

Royal Palace (Balloons and tents in front were the site of a music festival going on.)

Us!

We spent some time in the scene then grabbed some sandwiches (love that Subway is world wide) and wandered through the streets down to the main event for the day - the Van Gogh Museum.

Cool Big Music Box Thing
(My Mom told me it was an orchestrion.)

"I amsterdam" - City's Tag Line
Museumplein (Museum Square)
That's me by the "a"

Mike and I are both fans of many of Van Gogh's works of arts and I've definitely seen some in person before. Even so, it was extremely cool to get to see so many of his masterpieces close up enough to view the depth and texture of the paint. The museum did a fantastic job of telling about his fascinating life and also presenting artists that inspired him. Over the years, I've come to realize that art history and context of art brings a much deeper appreciation of the art itself and I love learning about it all. Without a kiddo pulling our attention away, we were able to spend about two and a half hours (until the museum closed) wandering around the exhibits. It was fantastic!

Outside the museum, we just had to get a shot of the hot dog stand. Not sure what the fascination is (since I personally don't love them), but the Dutch apparently are fans of hot dogs...we saw several stands for them all over the city.

Mmmmmm.....ketchup

A Patriotic Hot Dog

Since it had been a day of wandering, we continued that trend. We stopped at the hotel to refresh and then set out on foot again.

Everyone knows the saying, "when in Rome...." well, when in Amsterdam, you have to check out the Red Light District. I was hesitant to go there because 1) well, quite frankly, the famous things it's known for aren't really a draw for me and 2) the only 2 stories I've heard of first hand visitors there (and one was on a televised travel show) involved muggings. And, to be honest, our visit there was very accidental. We were walking around looking for a place to eat, not looking at our map at all, when we were quite suddenly in a large mass of people. Not a claustrophobic kind of crowd but the streets did get very noticeably busy. And somehow, we just were swept upstream with the masses and found ourselves there. And yes, we saw evidence of what it's know for but I was honestly underwhelmed by it. I think my expectations were much worse than what it really was. Plus, once I realized where we were, I pretty quickly was ready to get out. So, that we did and the dinner search continued.

I love the European way of putting the menus out by the door (something I've only seen in the states in areas like Boston's North End). It's easy to determine if you want to go in and eat what they have to offer. We perused several before settling on a price fixed menu at a restaurant called, Humphrey's.

With full, happy bellies, we wandered back to the hotel. We were tired after all that leisure time! Besides, the next day would be our last and there was lots I still wanted to do (and would drag Mike along to do them with me).