Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Beauty, history and culture

Did someone lose a bike?
(click on it! oh the insanity!)
Today I started my day quite early. Had an OK breakfast at the hotel, though not in my room and off I went for my exploration.
The tram dropped me off at the Centraal Station where is the above picture taken. There must be thousands of bikes parked in over three storeys at the station. How can you find your own?
I took one of the cruiser riverboats and we sailed through the canals. The cruise lasted a whole hour and by the time we came back I was dizzy from beauty and wonderful images.
The buildings and the way the city is built are breathtaking. So beautiful.
I shot a lot of video, when I come back I'll edit and try to upload a little movie.

Then I walked around the centre. People are very relaxed here. It made a very big impression to me how come a city where everything is so free, hashish, gay weddings, even prostitution is considered a "sightseeing" and you don't see any drunkards, yobos or disgusting people on the streets? Even in De Dodgerstraat (see previous post) I'm not afraid to walk in the dark.
Imagine having the same liberties in London, or, God forbid, in New York or LA?
All of the people are well dressed, clean, smiling, cool, helpful, people leave their bikes unlocked, there is no traffic, no frustration. Is it because there are only 750,000 inhabitants? Could be, or it could be a whole different culture. I take my hat off to the Dutch!
I took the picture just for fun.
Can you believe it, this is
an actual shop window?
click on it to read the small letters...

After walking between beautiful buildings and beautiful people I arrived at the Anne Frank House. I was always fascinated by her story, it makes me so sad, I must have read her diary 3 or 4 times, so this for me was so amazing.
The house is where Anne and other seven people hid during the Nazi occupation.
When I went up the narrow, steep staircase I felt haunted and so sad I wanted to cry. There it was, a bookcase that moved and behind it The Secret Annex, as Anne used to call it.
There are no furniture left, everything was confiscated when the Nazis were tipped off anonymously that there were Jews living in the attic. But the atmosphere is there, Anne's pictures of the movie stars are there, hers and her sisters height measurements are still on the wall.
Everyone was captured and sent to concentration camps, where they all died, including Anne at the age of 16. The only survivor was Anne's father, who was given by one of his co-workers Anne's diaries. He published them with very little changes and this book became an eternal best seller, a cry for freedom and justice, in over 60 languages.
The house and, inset,
me in complete awe.
I needed some fresh air after that very heavy atmosphere. Right outside, a beautiful canal, young people passing by and lovely bikers taking their dogs out! Wow!
I took a tram and went to the Rijksmuseum which has beautiful paintings and artifacts of Holland's Golden Age, the 17th century. Rembrandt, Vermeer, (not the Girl With The Pearl Earring though, that's in The Hague) beautiful dollshouses, very very interesting.

My dinner was quick and simple a sandwich from a little sandwich store and then straight to the hotel, just in time for the last In The Attic!
I had lots of fun chatting with all the people at BallerinaGurl's chatroom and now, as soon as I finish all the blogs and emails I have to send I'll go straight to bed, for tomorrow is another day!
Thanks for visiting, more tomorrow! I'm listening to Dutch radio now, no idea what they're talking about, but the music is... CLASSIC ROCK! Bring on The Who, Jan!


8 comments:

jillytee said...

Sounds like you're having a really good time , you should change your job and be a tour guide. You make it all sound so interesting and now I want to go there!
In the Attic was good but our feed was awful and kept freezing so we were miles behind....
see ya soon
Jiily xox

JoeBoy said...

Glad to hear your having a good time.
Enjoyed chatting with all of you today. When I go on Holiday it is no computers, cell phones, and no schedules. It is the only way I can get away.

Tausha71979 said...

Hi Marietta,

It was lovely to meet you today, during the Rachel show! Your blog is great, I hope to visit often..Talk to you soon!

xx

greekzoe said...

Marietta,
Your travels sound amazing! I am so glad that you are having such a good time.
I would have started bawling at Anne Frank's house. Stuff like that makes me cry. I cried at the Swedish Emigrant museum. Go figure.
I also want to thank you for your kind words at my blog about my daughter. You are such a sweetheart!!
Sweet dreams Marietta!!
Zoe

Nabonidus said...

I am just digging these photos, I've never gotten to travel beyond Mexico.
That shop window was funny!:)
And the bikes, jeez.

Oh, I also read the diary of Anne Frank and saw movies and documentaries. That would have really gotten to me, not sure I could have handled going in there, honestly.
xoxoLisa

Paul said...

Hi Marietta,

I'm glad you like Amsterdam!
And if you're in for a day trip, you might consider going to Rotterdam where Roger is performing this week with the Night of the Proms show (http://www.notp.com).

Tot ziens bij de Basement Jam!
Paul

Mark T said...

Hi Marietta, Glad that you are enjoying yourself. A really interesting post. Jill and myself must go to Amsterdam in the New Year or maybe in the spring when it is warmer. Good chatting in Mollys chat room yesterday. Sounded like you were having trouble with the feed as we were. Enjoy the rest of your trip. And don't forget - NO FAGS!! Mark

PTfan said...

Fantastic! I agree, you should be a tour guide. You describe things so lovely.
I am so happy for you!