My second time in Amsterdam and I loved the city even more. There is such good energy there- the people are friendly, colorfully dressed, healthy-looking, really tall, and almost always riding bikes. The architecture is adorable and so crotchety and leaning in every direction (in a very good way). There is wonderful shopping, eating, and great design everywhere you look- and you can see a lot since nobody has curtains on their windows! There is an expectation that you just dont look- if you do you are obviously not Dutch.
Note: the photos are kind of out of order but it doesn't really matter, does it?
here you have an espresso cart complete with a chandelier and a mini water fountain. It was right next to the line to get into the Rijks Museum.
Inside the Rijks- some hyper realistic paintings. Amazing.
This portrait was "looser" in technique than most the others but it was no less realistic and it really captured the emotion and personality of the subject.
Rembrandt!
The view from Tamara (our gracious hostess)'s apartment.
Scrap metal on a barge...
more of a REmbrandt painting, hiding behind some very red hair..
taking a closer look at a Vermeer. One must do this. They are incredible at any distance.
View from the back of Tamara's building. Can you see the windmill?
Our tulip bounty before we left to go home. 50 tulips for 5 Euros or 10Euros (mine-i couldn't resist the color).
Tamara lived in a warehouse area that had been redeveloped to have apartments, restaurants and shops. Instead of tearing down the old buildings they renovated them and built new buildings around and on top of the old bldgs. i loved how it looked.
Some stylish Amsterdammers
raw Herring- kinda tasty, in small quantities
Gerti was no impressed with the bone in her bite.
Lots of cats here. It was definitely more of a cat city than a dog city.
Some of the many leaning buildings.
Hidden art
My travel buddies: Marisela, Gerti, Tamara, and Anna
Nice hat, huh? Not everyone could wear a hat like this and not look ridiculous.
Personalization of bikes- very common there.
a typical cafe/restaurant: cheery, cool lighting, nice people, good food. LOVE it.
THE BEST apple cake in all of Amsterdam (and possibly Europe???)
Good enough to make Gerti go off of her diet.
the patat truck (fries)
sharing some patats.
a mini, makeshift garden in front on an apartment
Liked the green boot look.
another leaning building
The flower market
Bulbs-
And now some shots of my lovely friends who were on the trip too...
Tamara, our hostess with the mostess:
Ever-fashionable Anna:
Marisela- won the prize for best attitude while being pregnant and traveling:
and savvy Gerti, who should wear hats more often:
