Europe Day 13: Amsterdam

April 26 was an interesting day...after breakfast we took the train to Amsterdam and stored our bags in a train station locker.

Our first sight of the day was the Van Gogh Museum.  Based on the line crawling around the block when we arrived at opening time, we were really glad for our pre-purchased reservations that got us right in!  We both really enjoyed the museum, and again agreed that Van Gogh's works are just so much better in person!  I like how he used a lot of paint - layering it on to add depth to his works.  Some of my favorites are Almond Branch, Irises, Sunflowers, and a garden scene. 

After the museum we grabbed lunch at an outdoor cafe, one of the things we really liked about Europe, then wandered around for a while trying to figure out where we were going.  We saw some interesting sights along the way...

Bikes!!!

The Heineken cart

Amsterdam definitely has some charming buildings, but street names change constantly and with all the canals navigating can be a challenge.  We happened upon a church in our wanderings, which was nice to sit in for a few minutes, then finally found the dock at Spui and took a canal cruise which was fun and relaxing, and we learned some interestings things about the buildings and city.

The "hooks" at the top of each peak were/are for lifting furniture up and through the windows of each level...the stairs are too narrow to carry it up!

A city of canals...so interesting!

Next up was the Anne Frank House.  Rather sobering to walk through the actual rooms where the poor family hid for their lives before finally being reported and carted off to concentration camps.  Only the father survived.  So sad.

Dinner was next on our agenda, so we found a spot relatively close to the train station and chowed down, then spur-of-the-moment decided to get 30-minute foot massages at one of the little shops we'd passed.  Excellent decision that our feet thanked us fervently for!  Then we headed back to the train station, gathered our bags, and found our overnight train to Italy.

We found overnight trains an efficient way to cut out a whole day of traveling, but not the most efficient means of a good night's sleep.

Europe Day 12: Gardens and Fields...Flowers!

April 25 began with a quick train ride to Leiden, from where we boarded a bus to Keukenhof - the famed tulip garden.  The weather was gorgeous and we wandered through the stunning displays of tulips for about 3 hours.  I loved how artfully the beds of tulips were arranged among trees and pathways - perfect for a relaxing morning of soaking in some beauty.  The colors, sizes, and even shapes of the flowers were amazing.  Truly beautiful.

Goofy tourist?  Yes please

View of tulip fields from the top of the windmill

While waiting for our bus back, we spontaneously decided to rent bikes and ride for a while...excellent decision!  We rode through little towns (stopping at one for a bite to eat) and along tulip fields and canals.  The fields were amazing - rows and rows of brightly colored tulips forming a carpet of color.  So beautiful.  It as also fun to be on bikes like all the locals - it really is the popular mode of transportation in the Netherlands. 

Riding by fields...

After about 3 hours of riding, we caught our various buses and trains back to Haarlem for dinner and an early bedtime.  Another fab-u-lous day!!!

Europe Day 11: Travel to Haarlem

Easter morning, April 24, we boarded the first of several trains that took us to Haarlem, Netherlands.  I apparently had such a good run at Rummy that Bryan told me I should enter a competition (to be fair, I must also note that my good fortune did not last forever and the tables turned later in the trip).  I once again enjoyed the train ride(s), spending a bit of time thinking about 1. the real meaning of Easter, for which I am very thankful, and 2. past Easters/growing up, for which I am also thankful.  I have wonderful memories of looking for the eggs Mom and Dad hid...Mom put different stickers on the eggs for each of us kids and we could only find ours - that way everyone got some.  And Dad could nearly burst sometimes wanting to give us clues...good times for sure!

Our trusty travel companions - backpacks!

We saw this bicycle from the train window...pretty stellar!

We got into Haarlem at 5:30 and walked to our hotel on the old town square.  Haarlem is a cute little town, and after enjoying dinner at an outdoor cafe on the square, we took a walk through old streets and along the canals before calling it a night.  Loved the architecture...such character!

On the town square

We kept missing the opening times for this church so we'll have to go in next time!



While this wasn't the most historic thing we saw, it's (lack of) size was impressive!

Europe Days 9 and 10: Wedding in Eutin

April 22 we got up early to catch our 7:04am train - the first of several that ended up depositing us in Eutin, Germany, for the wedding of our friends Mat and Fran.  The long succession of train rides gave us time to put our feet up, play cards, and reflect on the trip thus far.  I really enjoyed the history of Europe.  World-changing events happened in the places we visited, and even the buildings show the age and character of each city.  People spend more time socializing there.  Eating is something to be enjoyed, not rushed through, and coffee is drank at a cafe counter, not on the run.  Bread comes from bakeries (fresh daily), not mass-produced in factories (although there is some of that too).  People take vacations, travel.  Don't get me wrong - I love the conveniences life in the U.S. offers and for the most part am more than happy with where I live.  But Europe is thoroughly enjoyable in it's own right, and a few lessons on slowing down and appreciating life could likely be noted by most Americans.

When we arrived in Eutin, Fran's mom picked us up and drove us out to the complex/farm where everyone stayed and the rehearsal dinner was held.  It was very charming and once again, the weather was amazing.  It was fun to meet Fran's German relatives, and we had a good time chatting with folks during and after dinner.

April 23 dawned a beautiful day for a wedding.  After breakfast Bryan and I went to see the wedding site with Mat, then joined a group of people on a little trip to Bad Segeberg - a town a couple of miles away.  Then it was time for the wedding.  Bryan was practiced up and ready to go (for those who don't know, Bryan read the English part of the ceremony while Fran's friend did the German part!).  He did a swell job all around, including telling the groom he could kiss the bride before the bride said her vows, which provided a bit of comic relief both then and later, when, at the appropriate time, he said "you may NOW kiss the bride."   A full evening of festivities, dinner, and dancing followed.

The bride pre-wedding

The groom waiting

Bryan's big entrance

Mat's neice, the second flower girl, is a pretty fantastic, tireless dancer...

Bryan was impressed with the size of the skillet!

Congratulations Mat and Fran!  Thanks for including us in your special weekend!