Those Trains!

needed it!
Decided to go to Delft for the day. That was the easy part. Getting the ticket was a nightmare. The first credit card did not work, no problem, have a spare. That one did not work. Then Georganns did not work, then She got one to work. `i still could not get mine to work. OK, so we go to the money exchange. Can not use the credit card without the passport. Well, that was safe in the hotel. Then we tried the ATM. That did not work.  So on and on and on for an hour- at least `i think it was only an hour. 

Finally got the ATM and the ticket machines to work. Which platform... go to 1. Ask another person, no go to 2A. The next person( these are official train people) got a 2A again. OK. that seems like a winner. Got on the train. It was not leaving, and not leaving and not leaving.  Then some lovely lady made a very long announcement in Dutch and people started leaping up and leaving the train. What did she say? The train is no longer delayed it is now not leaving. They are racing down the escalator toward other platforms. We of course, do not know the alternates so we have to stand in line at the help station-INFORMATION. Not sure why it is called information as the people working there like to give as little as possible out. A simple question like " will the train say Delft or another destination?"  Just got to platform 13. Since our experience in Rome. This is is not a comforting statement.

Then we start volleying for who can read the signs the best. After a train leaves Georgann says that train would have brought us to our new destination, Den Haag then on to Delft. I am not boarding any train that is not clearly marked Den Haag. I guess I was not saying my travel prayer. Well. we made it to Den Haag and on to Delft.

We got to Deft in time for lunch.  We settled on a little restaurant that was a silversmith place in the 1700's. They had a sandwich special that won the third best sandwich in the Netherlands... wow. Got to try that. A duck sandwich with hoisin sauce and a miso mayonnaise. As `i am eating it, I start to wonder if we should have walked around some more-- 3rd best? What if  number 1 was just around the corner.. oh, well, too late. `it was delicious. See pictures

3rd best sandwich award

The we walked the plaza went to check out William the Orange in a church (kerk)/ Then to the Vermeer museum. A complete rip-off since none of the originals were actually on display. (More like photos of the originals. ) They are traveling around the world. I did desperately want to buy pearl earrings after this museum though.  Well, more walking and looking then time for apple pie, our last chance in the Netherlands.  My brother actually makes very good apple pie. They do not use much sugar here. The crust tastes like a cake-- kinda.  The canals seem much smaller and more shallow in Delft. They do freeze during the winter and people ice skate down the canal! Doesn't that just make you want to throw on a big wool sweater and try it?

Apple pie with whipped cream

Now, back to Amsterdam. Another long announcement...beginning to get annoyed with those. We ask what they are saying. There is a train stoppage through Haarlem. So the train we are to be on can not take us there, but we could take a train Near to Amsterdam and then a bus... do not think so. So ,we ask again and finally find that a train that goes to Amsterdam Centraal in a round about fashion. And it did!!!!!  We disagree with Rick Steves. First class is still worth the few euros for a comfortable cabin seat at rush hour when everyone else if crammed into the 2nd class cabins after a long day at work.  p-u.

We should mention how wonderful it is to see everyone of every age and size on bikes here. They do not seem fancy with gears and such like we have at home.They have those quaint bells that you flick with your finger like you had as a kid. bling ..bling! Very fun to see this mode of transportation.It does not matter if you have a skirt or heels on .. biking is still appropriate.  Beware, you  can get ticketed just like a car when on a bike AND stay out of the bike lane, they really go fast and come out of no where. Next time, going to try it. 

Wednesday -

Up early at the butt crack of dawn to go to the Flora Holland warehouse. This is the largest flower auction in the world. You walk on a cat walk across acres of flowers on trolleys. The smell is heavenly! I was expecting the NYSE scene. But not in Holland, very civil and techie. They are in stadium seating and watch a big screen with a clock that counts down. The price is per stem, then there is so many units per each bid. Very interesting!

Back into Amsterdam, we wandered about the NINES area. This is a boutique area with lots of one of a kind shops. Very fun.. probably mores so for women than men. We did go to the Bijbels museum here. The had a feature of Belief in Nature. It showed the symbolism behind all the flowers and little bugs in paintings. A lady bug with 2 spots represented Christ and Mary.

Then to the Pannekoeken Up the Stairs. A small place we read about on the Internet. You climb stairs like a ladder to the second story of the building. Steep does not begin to cut it for a description.  Ir is like climbing a steep ladder straight to heaven. The whole place had seating for only 16 people.

Apple cinnamon and sugar

 5 minutes later

We also went to the Albert Cupyt market.  Not sure what all the fuss is. It pales in comparison to NY, London or Italy open are markets.  They say 170 countries are represented here in the Netherlands. We saw 3/4 of them today.

small flower stand in the market

The dress here is very very casual. If you are thinking of donating clothes to the goodwill, save them for this trip. Dressing up here is really not required. Jeans and a sweater, good to go.

Dinner at the hotel. We were dragging by the end of the day. Great pumpkin ravioli.

Highlight of the Day: Not falling down the stairs at the pannekuken hus. No scary men.

Tuesday

We started our day wandering around trying to read the horrible maps. The streets change names from one canal to the next, so somewhat hard to follow. We did find  Our Lord in the Attic Church - the Catholics could not openly practice their faith, but it was tolerated as long was it was not in the open. A young man built a church in his attic, completed between 2 houses.  The colors reminded us of the of the little Chapel near the Notre Dame in Paris.  The church had an organ, room for about 150 people and room for a choir. There was even a confessional. From the outside, there were stairs to the church.  Imagine lovely pictures inserted here.  I left my camera in the breakfast room- sadly.

While looking for the nines streets, we ran across Begijnhof-- was founding in 1245 for girls and women who devoted them to charitable causes but not bound by a religious order.  It has a peaceful garden with the houses surrounding it. This little neighborhood is hidden behind large wooden doors. Form the outside, you would never know how lovely it is on the inside.  92 women still live there. I saw one apt not inhabited...GeorgAnn is thinking of moving in.

We had lunch by the flower market. While reading our travel book. GeorgAnn shows me the entry for Dappelmarket.  Wow, rated in top 10 in the world by National Geographic . So we hop on the tram to this area. Got off near the beautiful and peaceful east garden.   A few blocks away the open air market. ok, first impression ..."this looks scary"...but onward.  We soldiered on through tables after tables of junky looking clothes and gadgets. I walked behind GeogAnn because I was afraid she would walk away from me. Not sure I would look for her if she did-- every man for themselves! We crept through the market at a snails pace. `GeorgAnn thinking she is being kind to me, and me wanting to scream. So finally out of this area and to the tram the heck away from there.

Some nice young scary man attached himself to GeorgAnn, wanting to help her in the worst way to find her tram. We thanked him and walked away-- or so we thought. He followed us to the next tram stop trying to ensure that we got to the right spot...ok that did not work, because it was only to get away from him. The tram was going the wrong direction. Finally, we got to the right tram stop and he left. There was another man standing there, he said something to him in Dutch. The other man was not as interested in GeorgAnn.  GeorgAnn said , "get me out of here, I am hysterical.  SO

Handbag museum - chairs to look like handbags

We did get on the right tram and found the handbag museum!  The bags were from the 1200 or before to modern day. Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Madonna all have one of their bags displayed. There were bags with diamonds and coral and other gems too. A great little museum.

A drink on the plaza then on to a harbor and canal cruise at dusk.

Dinner at the Sea House. Chinese.  A floating restaurant that looks like a bagoda.


In my next life, I am coming back as a dutch woman. They are all at least 6 feet tall. (and beautiful too)

Highlight of the day:  Not having the scary man follow us to the handbag museum

Monday Floriade

Beautiful Orchids, on display in Floriade

Beautiful garden

We took a bus to Venlo, about 2 hours south of Amsterdam toward Germany.The colors at Floriade were beautiful fall colors. Acres and acres of flowers and many displays. The area was created for this world flower show which happens only every 10 years.  Lots of eco friendly exhibits. Love the nature walls and fences... great idea for small spaces or blocking out noisy neighbors.


Highlight: enjoying the flowers

Sunday Kerk, Bus ride, Windmills & strolling

Windmill at Zaanse Schans north of Amsterdam

 Started out this morning after going to Church. (Kerk). Mass was in Dutch. I discovered that I am not a long legged blonde dutch woman when I went to sit down. I needed the kneel riser to get on to the pew!
We successfully took the bus about 45 minutes north of Amsterdam to Zannse Schans. Quaint village with traditional windmills.  We learned that windmills had multiple functions: some are for grinding flour, cutting wood, ground chalk, and to make oil - as in peanut oil.

lunch at D'Vijf Broers

Lunch by the canal and dam, in Zaanstad across the river from the windmills. GeorgAnn had tomato soup and brown bread. All was very good. The food here is actually crazy good. The smell of cacao in this little town was heavenly.

Inspiration for the Ghost and Mrs  Muir

We strolled Zaastad brick paved streets with some house dating back to 1600. Very quite here. The rose in the picture smelled just like a rose should. You could smell it 5 feet away.

Just to make sure we got our contact high, we had Indian food for dinner  near one of the many coffee houses. The bars are similar to London where the patrons spill out onto the streets as they can not smoke inside.

Saturday Night Live -see post

Saturday - Arrived

GeorgAnn came from ```Salt Lake with a plane full of people who were on their maiden voyages. They would not take their seats or stow their luggage. The pilot finally had to come out of the cockpit to yell at the people to take their seats because he needed to take off. So, obviously, she was late arriving into MSP.  She was able to grab an electric cart, but her Indian driver failed to tell her that he was going to give her a tour of two other concourses before he brought her to her gate. Georg Ann was patting his back trying to tell him that she was in a hurry. `'`no worries, lady, plenty of time.`` Georg Ann was telling him that she was hysterical. He, of course, did not understand that meant in a panic.

Mean while, I boarded the plane to secure luggage space as the flight was oversold. I talked a big 6'3 guy out of prime space using her advanced years as an excuse for not letting him take the space.  Finally, she boarded,,,last one on and things were smooth after that.

The flight was great! We had a gorgeous  full moon  following us all the way across the Atlantic. We made it through customs without a hitch. It only took four escalator and four different platforms before we figured out how to maneuver and read the train signs. <see prayer above.>

Our hotel is only a few blocks from Centraal Station. Great view of the city. The room is a trapezoid and stretches out over the bridge. Great setting sun view.

We did well..walked the neighbor hood. Hundreds of restaurants here. We choose an Indonesian restaurant. Aneka Rasa. We had the "rice table". `lots of little dishes of meats and veggies. Just my style..`helen `keller-ish. 

We are tired. Can not figure out how to turn on the lights. The room is lighted with the glow of the computer. I am sure the operator will think we were into the coffee shops when they get the call on how to work the lights... Georg Ann is in the other room now struggling with the phone. YES, we are tired. 

Highlight of the day: we were headed to the old church and stumbled into the RLD. Lots of women milling around. This must be interesting,,, what is catching their attention. They were waiting for a tour of the RLD and a chance to try their luck as one of the ladies in the window. Sadly, we did not partake. 

A prayer before traveling

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, and if Georgann says the train is going the "wrong way", Lord, I promise to believe right way!