Amsterdam!

A four day weekend, and an invitation to visit The Netherlands...  I'm in!  Jill and her two children, Maddie and Will, and I head out on a road trip....  Music, food, and laughter as we make our way.  You know when you are in a European McDonalds when....  dog friendly!

Our first stop was to see the legendary Holland tulips and they did not disappoint!  The images as we drove in....  an audible gasp----  a river of red tulips was like rolling out the red carpet on our way in.

We got lucky- with a forecast for rain-- a sunny afternoon sneaked in--  The colors, varieties, over flowing gardens left me thinking we had walked into a magical place...  We found something beautiful to eat as we strolled in awe!

I could never decide on a favorite but I think I will always love tulips-----  ah spring!  Next stop Amsterdam--  I loved this city.  I think it is one of my very favorites that I have been to so far--  I've decided that if the store Anthropologie had a city it would be Amsterdam-- stylish, unique, artsy, and oh so charming... I fell in love with those canal houses... had to buy a ceramic one to bring home.

The city that bikes and we joined in!  I felt like a crazy NYC taxi driver as we dodged cars, traffic lights, and other bikers as we made our way around---  It was both thrilling and frightening at the same time.  Happy to report no injuries and no stolen bikes!

With a map in hand, sorted out how to use the Fort Knox bike lock system, we are ready to hit the museums.  We stopped at the Rijksmuseum to see Rembrandt and Vermeer!  It is good to remember how much can be taken in within those quiet moments looking at an artist's perspective.  Remembering that in the details lies the heart...  Those details filled my heart with wonder and hope.

Van Gogh Museum--- wow, a life's work in an enormous space.   It was fascinating to see an artist's work more as a whole...  it was represented as he grew as an artist and with each floor I could see how he became.  A beautiful thought to think of our lives and our growth represented as art pieces-- every little bit matters---

A highlight for me was The Anne Frank House-- a museum with a story.  It was a rainy evening as we stood in line.  The church bells ringing in the background set the stage for our tour.  Inside we learned that Anne listened to those bells as she wrote.... 

"One day this terrible war will be over.  The time will come when we'll be people again and not just Jews!"

"We have to whisper and tread lightly during the day, otherwise the people in the warehouse might hear us."

"Kugler, who at times finds the enormous responsibility for the eight of us overwhelming, can hardly talk from the pent-up tension and strain."

"Now our Secret Annexe has truly become secret.  Mr. Kugler thought it would be better to have a bookcase built in front of the entrance to our hiding place."

"During the day our curtains can't be opened, not even an inch."

"I long to ride a bike, dance, whistle, look at the world, feel young and know that I'm free."

"When I write I can shake off all my cares, my sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived!"

Anne's words filled this house, and were our tour guide as we walked in silence with the rain coming down.  The photos of film stars on her walls, marks on the wall measuring how they grew as they hid, and the small tight spaces left me in awe of what the human spirit can endure.  Like the Van Gogh and Vermeer of yesterday her words were art revealing in the details a heart with sorrow, wonder, and love to learn from.  I picked up a new copy of The Diary of Anne Frank, now seeing her with new understanding.  It's important to hear each other's stories and thinking-- even from long ago---- growing together is growing taller....

Time to take in markets, food, canal boat ride and leaving with the promise to return! 

Funny how a bit of travel makes me feel more connected and smaller at the same time. The world is a big place but seeing new places and people--- offers a new way of thinking and being within me.  It reminds me that it makes no sense to compare ourselves to each other.  Each life should be viewed for it's beauty and detail like an artist's canvas. It never entered my mind to sort out which was the better artist Van Gogh or Rembrandt--  I think from now on when I think my simple life has no meaning --- that is the moment I buy a plane ticket and travel.  To be reminded that the world is full of diversity and beauty---- where it's not about a competetive world of getting to the top but enhancing and sharing our gifts with each other---


Our lives
will twist and twist
intermingling the old and the new
until it doesn't matter
which is which--  "Inside out and Back Again"

Lessons from a unique one of a kind city with stories---  Amsterdam!