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