Amsterdam.

Due to having VERY spotty internet, here is my post that was not able to be posted from Amsterdam:   Good morning from Amsterdam!  I am currently sitting at Schiphol airport waiting to fly to Paris for a quick lay over then onto Antananarivo, Madagascar.   As many of you know from speaking with me prior to leaving the states, the ship had some pretty big difficulties on its journey to Madagascar.  Every summer the ship heads back for routine maintenance and to fundraise/build up support.  Unfortunately the propeller on the ship broke and needed complete replacement.  Originally the ship was planning to arrive in Toamasina, Madagascar in the beginning of August.  Instead, they will be arriving August 26th.  Almost 2 1/2-3 weeks after their planned arrival date.  Which means I will be arriving about 5 days prior to the ships arrival.  The repairs didn't take as long as what was originally thought, so we're very thankful for that.  In the meantime I took an extended layover in Amsterdam to see the Anne Frank house.  This has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember and it was nothing short of amazing... I cannot even begin to explain the butterflies and excitement I felt of being able to step foot into her house on the Prinsengracht.    Leaving the states on the 19th was much harder than I thought.  A lot of nerves, stress, excitement and loneliness all melted together.  And many of you know how emotional I can be so mom's tears didn't help any meager attempt at a brave façade (thanks mom).  Oh and thanks dad for the slow clap while I weaved through countless empty security lines, that was awesome.   Exploring Amsterdam in such a short amount was definitely doable but I left with a taste of wanting to have seen more.  In order to keep costs as low as possible I stayed with a woman named Sharon who lived the De Pijp district.  I felt so incredibly comfortable the minute I walked into her home.  Sharon's home is your typical Amsterdam home.  Tall, skinny and narrow.  Her home was filled with plants and flowers around every turn.  And classical music constantly filled the empty spaces.  She greeted me with a cup of coffee (which my tired body was incredibly thankful for) and got down to business.  In a serious manner she told me there is a hierarchy that must be followed in Amsterdam.  First, the bikes rule the city.  They rank over you, they rank over cars and they will not stop if you are in their way.  And man she wasn't kidding.  The amount of bicycles in this city is incredible.  The population of bicycles is twice that of people, its fascinating.  

 

 

I’m having a difficult time scaling down the amount of pictures and stories to share so bear with me.  This post is a long one… you’ve been warned.

My first day in Amsterdam I mainly attempted to decipher the many streets, museums, parks and canals that map the city.  Sharon had joked that I would fit right in because I look just like a typical Dutch woman… tall, pale and blonde.  Unfortunately, I think it was mainly the map I had constantly clutched in my hand that gave me away.  Sharon’s home was right around the corner from Albert Cyupmarkt, a famous market in De Pijp district.  Albert Cyupmarkt was tucked away behind Stadhouderskade, one of main roads in Amsterdam, and it stretched for blocks as far as the eye could see.  Filled with merchants selling fish, clothing, jewelry, fresh produce, baked goods, juices, and the infamous Amsterdam flowers, the market was bursting with people getting their hands on every item they could lay their eyes on.  In true Dutch fashion, the locals have baskets hanging from their bicycles in which to store the treasures of the day.

 

Further along Stadhouderskade you’ll pass the Heinikein museum and then into the museum district.  Standing in the middle of the Museumplein, you are surrounded by the Van Gogh museum, I AMsterdam sign and the stunning Rijksmuseum.  A hint for anyone planning on traveling to Amsterdam in the future, the museum district is much more beautiful at sunrise (and much less crowded).

And even further still was the famous Vondelpark, a gorgeous park filled with people sitting in cafes tucked in corners hidden by trees, riding bicycles on the path, couples lounging in the shade, and groups of friends having picnics where the beer and wine were plenty.    

 

My main goal for my incredibly quick visit to Amsterdam was to see to the Anne Frank Huis.  With tickets being sold out months before and lines being 3-4 hours long I researched the best way to see the museum in the little time I had.  I found the easiest way was to book a tour that included a “jump the line” entrance to the Anne Frank Huis.  Our tour guide Alon was incredible.  He immediately noticed me as the solo traveler of the pack and made himself comfortable at my table during a break.  Alon grew up in Israel traveling for years back and forth to Amsterdam for business.  His life story is fascinating.   He sat across from me staring out onto the Amsterdam skyline and nonchalantly noted that life had a funny way of taking you into a direction you’d never imagine.  He never envisioned Amsterdam as his permanent home.  Maybe for a short time, but never forever.  But all it took was a woman he’d met while delivering mail that would solidify Amsterdam as his home and set up a path in life he never would have dreamt.  His advice simple, yet profound… Smile to the world, and the world will smile back.  After learning about my trip, Alon graciously bought me a delicious homemade lemonade to enjoy while staring out at the flat, expansive city of Amsterdam with the Rijks museum as a peak far into the distance.  The tour was definitely one of the best decisions I made.  It was the cheapest and easiest way to quickly explore the city.  I not only got to mark a top item off my bucket list but I got to explore the city on foot, learn Amsterdam’s history, take a canal ride, walk through the red light district and experience Amsterdam’s famous French fries with a new friend Shani from L.A.  Not to mention experience the best apple pie in Amsterdam (Thanks Alon J)

 

The Anne Frank huis did not disappoint (well, maybe fewer people would have been nice!)  I was in another world conquering the steep staircases, climbing behind the bookcase that covered the entrance to the Annex and taking in the tiny rooms where Anne, her family and her other roommates in hiding lived during the Nazi occupation.  And in the true fashion of the book lover I am, Anne Frank’s diary, purchased in her home on 263 Prisengraght, has found a new home amongst my book collection.

 

Now that I’ve talked your ear off its time to jet off to Anatananarivo, Madagascar.  Sharon’s good friend Polly graciously offered to drive me to the airport at 530am this morning.  I am just blown away by the generous and fascinating people I have met so far.  God truly has his fingers in this unknown but exciting journey.  I cannot wait to see the growth I will experience not only as a nurse but as a human being getting to experience humanity at its rawest form.  I have five days to spend exploring before the ship arrives. 

Until next time!