Amsterdam Museums and Canals

Drawbridge in ther background

Larry, Shelley and I indulged in a boat ride along some of Amsterdam's canals. Seeing the city from the water provides a perspective that simply walking or riding a tram cannot furnish.

Sun's out

We started at the port, actually in front of the Central Station.  The sun had come out and the gray skies cleared to a china blue.  We took our seats and were treated to interesting facts and sights.  It was a great way to get photos that would be impossible from the banks of the waterways. 

Tall boats not allowed

River cruise line ships at rest in the harbor

I did not realize that \Amsterdam's homes and buildings are sinking....especially the very old ones, built on pilings driven into the reclaimed land. It makes sense.  Wooden pilings rot after centuries and the houses that these piling support reveal this in drunken tilting, forward and backward, and from side to side.  One section of town is labeled "The Dancing Houses" due to the precarious leaning of the buildings.  

Dancing houses

Dancing houses with houseboar

I suspect that just like every major metropolitan area, Amsterdam is a very different city if you have real money than the Amsterdam of the drug tourist.  We passed houses along the canal selling for millions of dollars---and I have to say that I did not see one single For Sale sign the entire time I was there.  Even in the area where we stayed, the building were very well maintained-h-a not inconsiderable feat given the complicated construction and paint schemes.  I also marveled at the number of black houses--a color I am definitely not used to seeing here in terra cotta south of France.

Well kept houseboats--tres expensive these days

Library viewed from the harbor

Statue of St. George slaying the dragon--tonier section of town

House of the heads

While I took lots of photos on the cruise--the museums were a different story.  Photos are not allowed, and it makes sense to me--I want to concentrate on learning about what I am seeing and do not want to concentrate on photography.  Of course, there is always some jackass who has to defy everyone with a cellphone camera.  I visited the Anne Frank house and the Van Gogh museum, which was about all I could process in the short amount of time I had.  No photos I could take could do justice to either experience--people who want to know what these places look like can find their websites on the Internet.  Both museums did what a good exhibition should do--moved me, educated me, and piqued my curiosity to learn more.  For me, these two places were the pefect choice for my introduction to Amsterdam's many museums.  (Next time, though, it's to the Diamond Museum and the |Museum of Bags and Purses!!!)  

At the Van Gogh museum

I HAVE to go here

Be careful getting out on the driver's side

old boat and autumn leaves