Amsterdam

Our arrival in Amsterdam was an early one. When the streets belong to the cops, and the janitor with the mop. (Except there were no cops.)

First thing we did? We got lost. (Shout out to Brenner! But it's true.)

We were trying to find our friend Norma's flat.

We counted it as a private orientation to the city.

Amsterdam is a charming, lovely city. It has more canals than Venice. And people ride bikes everywhere. I could definitely live there.

We caught the major sites: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Musuem, Rembrant's House, Anne Frank's House, the Hermitage in Amsterdam, Heinekin Brewery, and lots of little charming museums in between. We loved strolling along the canals and watching life go by.

The lovely canal where Norma lives.

We happened upon this public art and dedicated it to Mr. Yin.

It's such a beautiful city, we were surprised to come across this huge park (just across from the Rijksmueusm) that was full of trash. The World Cup finals had happened on Sunday, and this was Thursday! Norma told us the coming home celebration had just happened. Thursday was cleaning up day.

Please notice how we're wearing pants and hoodies. Absolutely perfect weather. (And me with my snacks and poochy belly--please cut me some slack in the fashion department, we were traveling light and I mostly packed clothes that would stretch--not quite yet fitting into maternity clothes--not knowing how big I would be by heading-home time!)

Talk about crazy architecture: Art Deco and Art Nouveau in the same building. And planned that way.

Rijksmuseum. Wherein dwells Rembrant's "The Night Watchmen". The museum undergoing some major renovations, but we still spent hours there. I can't imagine it being any bigger!

We went on a canal cruise. A nice break after walking all over the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.

Shutters and house boats!!

Mr. Yin and I enjoying our beers at the Heinekin Brewery Tour in our traditional garb.

Let it be said, I did not "ride" the Brew You ride. (It's less a ride and more a movie that you experience with movement and sound and smell.) There was a special seat for me and it might have been more fun to watch the group of people get brewed, everyone swaying and bobbing at the same time.

Me pouring (fake) beers for everyone. Good times.

Me and the bikes. And the obelisk. It commemorated something.

The bike I want when we live in Amsterdam. Yes, it's a bike, not a trike. And people use them for hauling kids and groceries and whatever else you need to haul. Edible will love it.

Mr. Yin inside Rembrant's print studio.

Our last stop before heading out: Anne Frank's House/Musuem. No photos allowed inside. So this is us with her statue outside the museum. We had to stand in line so long to go inside that we didn't get to enjoy our Dutch pancakes. Instead, we packed up to catch our train.

Off to the train station. This time we did not get lost.

Amsterdam, we love you. Norma, you are the best and most gracious host ever!