Amsterdam

In Berlin we said goodbye to Zoe.

The very next day in Amsterdam we were greeted by Robbie.

Our immediate family in Europe at the one time!

Waiting for traditional Dutch meal Stamppot
Stamppot is the **ultimate Dutch comfort food**, not dissimilar to British Bubble & Squeak. Translated literally as ‘mash pot’, this traditional dish involves potatoes mashed with combinations of sauerkraut, carrot, onion or kale – and is usually served with a big juicy sausage.

The first thing to get across in Amsterdam, apart from the crowds is the light.

Perhaps Rembrandt helps you get your eye in.

Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” glows for the crowds at the Rijksmuseum

And then there is Vermeer

Amsterdam was really crowded when we got there in mid-July. Summer holidays for both Europeans and Americans. Alex asked our lovely concierge if this was the busiest time: “No, tulip time in April and May”.

A great way to avoid the crowds but get a good understanding of Amsterdam is to take a boat tour on the canals.

We jumped aboard a beautiful restored old wooden boat “The Swan” on the canal right outside our hotel.

Nemo science building designed by architect Renzo Piano (the man has had some major commissions)

We were about 6 metres below sea level here. Rob muttering “I don’t think this is sustainable”

The inner city is divided by its network of canals into some 90 “islands,” and the municipality contains approximately 1,300 bridges and viaducts. Amsterdam is the economic centre of the Netherlands, and there tradition persists alongside innovation. Although the city has a modern metro system, about one-fifth of the workforce still relies on the time-honoured bicycle for transportation. Britannica.com

Any visit to Amsterdam also includes a visit to the many museums including the dedicated Van Gogh Museum. We booked your slot online and joined the throng.

One of the first rules of the Van Gogh museum is “NO PHOTOS”. Hearing many people badger the museum attendants about this rule, Alex decided to congratulate them. The attendant looked surprised and said “a couple of years ago violence broke out in front of ‘Sunflowers’ with people wanting to get the perfect spot for their selfie”.

In case you think this is fanciful. This news item from The Guardian on August 10 2018:

Two tourists’ quest for a perfect selfie has caused a brawl at Rome’s Trevi fountain.

Fighting broke out after a 19-year-old woman from the Netherlands and a 44-year-old Italian-American woman wanted to take selfies at a prime spot in front of the monument at the same time.

The incident happened on Wednesday evening, a time of day when the light makes the fountain a perfect backdrop.

What started as an exchange of words between the women became a physical fight and then their respective family members joined in.

Neither of the women wanted to give way over the selfie spot, the newspaper La Repubblica reported. Eight people ended up becoming involved in the fight in front of startled onlookers.

Two police officers managed to quell the fight, but the truce lasted only a few minutes, and two more officers had to be called in to finally end it.

The tourists only sustained bruises but were charged over violence.

Alert Alex rant follows. The selfie thing is out of control. Yes we all take some travel snaps but don’t forget to just look. Good old fashioned looking, absorbing and thinking, when did that go out of fashion?. If travel teaches us anything it’s that we are but a tiny speck in history. We are lucky to witness great beauty. But what madness makes us think that photographing ourselves in front of these works of art or history makes us greater/famous or part of it? Please give me Van Gogh’s sunflowers without some twerp standing in front of it.

On a happier note.