No complaints - we are just in the heart of it so today I'm waking up to the sounds of the city's folks commuting off to work.
Yesterday was a lovely, clear and sunny day. We've been lucky with that so far, and while it's chilly, it's not cold! So, while Susannah had a lovely breakfast, I popped out for a coffee stop and then we hit the bricks. Let me be clear - we completely avoid aforementioned Trams and Trolleys; in fact we are pretty much always screaming the mantra "Oh, mijn leggen!" since we can't understand how the stoned tourists aren't getting run over left and right! Thus, we walk and we walk and then we walk some more.... it's grand.
Yesterday's twin destinations were the Rijksmuseum and Albert Cuypstraat which hosts a great street flea market and is the neighborhood that holds one of our favorite shops - the name is entirely ineffable, but they sell lots of cool stuff from Africa made of recycled materials - like baskets woven of old phone wires and containers made from old industrial food cans. They also sell killer enameled tin wear and so the source of our mission to get a new compost tin for the kitchen. I think we've been rocking the current one we have for about 5 years. A bonus find was a small valise that is made of the same tomato cans as a footstool from another trip, so I feel for it.
The Rijksmuseum museum has been under renovations for over a decade now, so we still check it out but it's only a brief Dutch History section, the Dutch Masters (of the Universe) and the Night Watch by ole Remy. Always worth the trip - and an inspiration for this years Nieuwejaar's Theme!
A long walk about back by a roundabout route took us to Puccini Bombonerie - maybe the single best and most indifferent chocolate store on the planet. Superior and sublime; Pepper, Thyme, Anise, Tea and many more they make taste better than you'd believe. We also lucked into Flinck for lunch - a delightful find as they had these open-faced sandwiches that were incredible. It was an Amstel bar, but nothing is perfect!
Day 2.5 always includes a long nap to slag the lag... So, after some shut-eye and an afternoon smorgasbord, we ventured back out for a long evening stroll. The weather was sweet, so we meandered the Joordan and the area around Herengracht and Prinzengracht - it's amazing for as balls to the walls as der Wallen (the Red Light district) can be, you can be just 10 minutes walk to the West and have it be so calm and serene.
Maandag is one of the days where much is 'gesloten' so we just did a lot of recon and overview yesterday. We tried to check out the Stedelijk, but they are in temporary space and between exhibits now - wah whaaaa.... But, we've got Museumkaarts now so there are many lessor but still great museums to see. Big day, today.
In case you are wondering on Euro trash... The jeans are Lycra-skinny with crumples built into the shins - however you can't get away with the ole skinnys since the belt is 3 inches tall and you have to have the huge new loops to wear those belts or be passé. Shoes, jumpers and shirts are all appearing in electric (not dayglo) yellow or a serious chartreuse color. Not my face, but count the months til it sweeps the US. No clear other strong look yet, but stay tuned for nice days and fewer layers and we'll see what emerges!
Now it's coffee time and getting my poor dogs ready for the hoof out to the Troppenmusuem and the Plantage. Tot ziens!
Give thanks and praise!
Yesterday was a lovely, clear and sunny day. We've been lucky with that so far, and while it's chilly, it's not cold! So, while Susannah had a lovely breakfast, I popped out for a coffee stop and then we hit the bricks. Let me be clear - we completely avoid aforementioned Trams and Trolleys; in fact we are pretty much always screaming the mantra "Oh, mijn leggen!" since we can't understand how the stoned tourists aren't getting run over left and right! Thus, we walk and we walk and then we walk some more.... it's grand.
Yesterday's twin destinations were the Rijksmuseum and Albert Cuypstraat which hosts a great street flea market and is the neighborhood that holds one of our favorite shops - the name is entirely ineffable, but they sell lots of cool stuff from Africa made of recycled materials - like baskets woven of old phone wires and containers made from old industrial food cans. They also sell killer enameled tin wear and so the source of our mission to get a new compost tin for the kitchen. I think we've been rocking the current one we have for about 5 years. A bonus find was a small valise that is made of the same tomato cans as a footstool from another trip, so I feel for it.
The Rijksmuseum museum has been under renovations for over a decade now, so we still check it out but it's only a brief Dutch History section, the Dutch Masters (of the Universe) and the Night Watch by ole Remy. Always worth the trip - and an inspiration for this years Nieuwejaar's Theme!
A long walk about back by a roundabout route took us to Puccini Bombonerie - maybe the single best and most indifferent chocolate store on the planet. Superior and sublime; Pepper, Thyme, Anise, Tea and many more they make taste better than you'd believe. We also lucked into Flinck for lunch - a delightful find as they had these open-faced sandwiches that were incredible. It was an Amstel bar, but nothing is perfect!
Day 2.5 always includes a long nap to slag the lag... So, after some shut-eye and an afternoon smorgasbord, we ventured back out for a long evening stroll. The weather was sweet, so we meandered the Joordan and the area around Herengracht and Prinzengracht - it's amazing for as balls to the walls as der Wallen (the Red Light district) can be, you can be just 10 minutes walk to the West and have it be so calm and serene.
Maandag is one of the days where much is 'gesloten' so we just did a lot of recon and overview yesterday. We tried to check out the Stedelijk, but they are in temporary space and between exhibits now - wah whaaaa.... But, we've got Museumkaarts now so there are many lessor but still great museums to see. Big day, today.
In case you are wondering on Euro trash... The jeans are Lycra-skinny with crumples built into the shins - however you can't get away with the ole skinnys since the belt is 3 inches tall and you have to have the huge new loops to wear those belts or be passé. Shoes, jumpers and shirts are all appearing in electric (not dayglo) yellow or a serious chartreuse color. Not my face, but count the months til it sweeps the US. No clear other strong look yet, but stay tuned for nice days and fewer layers and we'll see what emerges!
Now it's coffee time and getting my poor dogs ready for the hoof out to the Troppenmusuem and the Plantage. Tot ziens!
Give thanks and praise!
