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Basilica of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic
We
found five things in common in every city we
visited. Every one had a City
Hall,
a palace of some type,
a watch tower and at least two churches;
one Catholic and one
protestant.
The
Main Train Station in Amsterdam. Photo was taken from our hotel room. Not
sure
if the netting was to keep birds out or us in! Interesting to see trains, buses, trams and boats all in the same
photo.
What tour of Amsterdam is complete without a canal
ride.
Looking up at these residence buildings we realized that every one had some kind of
"hook"
attached at the top center. Then we realized that they seemed to be
leaning out from the bottom. A bit of
research found that the narrow
steep stairs in these buildings required that furniture be lifted up outside
and then swing in to the apartment via the large window that was located on each
level. The buildings actually
do lean out to provide clearance for the
furniture to be lifted up. Somewhere there must be the first building
that
is straight and has no hook and no furniture that could not be carried up the stairs! The idea had to start
somewhere.
A typical street scene in Amsterdam. We saw many
fathers walking their children. Maybe the mothers were working?
A visit to the Anne Frank House is a must. I had some apprehensions about going but was glad I did.
It is unbelievable what they went through, only to get so close to the end of the war and be ratted out to the Nazis
and die in concentration camps. Only the father survived. Unfortunately, photography was not allowed in the
house so no photos. click on this link for additional in depth info: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1269518/Want-Anne-Frank-lived-Take-virtual-tour.html
For more info about the Anne Frank House click here or just Google "Anne Frank House"
The Dutch ruled the seas in the 17th Century.
This recreated ship was typical of that period.
Bicycles, bicycles and more bicycles. They
far outnumber car as the main means of transportation in Amsterdam, although public transportation is easily available and
well maintained.
Decorative pavement stones are still laid.
This would be a sea of asphalt or concrete in the US. These "stones "are actually small precast concrete blocks
with the spaces filled with sand.
We attended this piano concert in the New Church.
Given by two very talented ladies. First on a single piano and then on opposing "dueling?" pianos.
If you would like to listen to 2:48 min's of this concert, click here.
Next stop, the Amsterdam Museum. This museum chronicles Amsterdam from the beginning up to present
times.
Beautifully carved elephant tusks but this is why
96 elephants are killed every day in Africa. Say no to African game poaching! Do not buy anything ivory.
There
were some "strange" pictures in this museum.
Ever wonder where the original English measures
came from. Now you know.
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. Amsterdam is great for walking around and looking. Has some great museums. Unfortunately no photos in them so
nothing to post here. No, the Skunk did not visit the famed Red Light district but did find some explicit humorous displays
in store windows. Marijuana smoked openly in pedestrian malls. 
