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.