Coffee shops, Cafes, Art, and Bicycles

Amsterdam is to the Netherlands what New York is to the U.S. with a few differences. Coffee shops are where you go if you are looking for marijuana rolled, in a tea, or in a brownie, etc. Cafes are where you go for coffee. The Rijks museum is where they display the creme de la creme of Dutch artists like Rembrandt and Vermeer. And bicycles - well just watch out! Bicycles are a main mode of transportation, pedestrians beware. I have been on trains, planes, buses and boats in the first two days. There are several options for public transportation and they are quite efficient. 

A short train ride from our hotel in Haarlem and we arrived at the Anne Frank house. I stood at the original entrance knowing that this was where Nazi soldiers entered and arrested Anne and her family. I read The Diary of Anne Frank when I was about twelve or thirteen years old, the age Anne was when she started writing in her diary. At that time I could relate to her young adolescent emotions. But as I stood in the rooms they hid in for two years and tried to imagine what that might have been like, I found myself looking at it from a parents perspective. I found myself admiring her parents and their courage in deciding to go into hiding to protect their family.

They say that Amsterdam is known for their live and let live attitude. That they are known for their tolerance. Tolerance for things like drugs, prostitution, and gay rights. More recently their tolerance is being tested. With an increase in immigration and multiculturalism there are some who are of extreme opinions about what this means to their tidy, well organized lifestyle (especially in the current world economy.)  Amsterdam has a history of great wealth and success. But what happens when you are presented with new and different people and lifestyles? Hmm, we are still navigating much of this in the U.S.

So far I have enjoyed a lovely Indonesian feast and dutch pancakes served in three courses for lunch. The dutch love their waffles and french fries with mayonaise. Next stop Germany.
Tot ziens!