Lost in Amsterdam!

Ah what a place. We spent the day wandering about the city really not knowing our way around in hopes of reaching the centrum and getting a better map than the Lonely Planet one. We did. We returned to the train station and I purchased a map and transit card. We found a Ben and Jerry’s and ate sorbet. This city is so charming with canals, boats, and old buildings. It doesn’t feel like a city at all. We met the woman next door on our way out and she was so nice gave us some advice on where to go. There is a farmer’s market tomorrow. Hooray.

We headed for the canal cycles. We rented a canal bike and pedaled along oneof the many canals. It was comical at first as Byron and I kept running into houseboats and turning ourselves around. At one point we were turning into another canal and a giant boat was coming straight at us. I panicked and the boat stopped for us. I apologized and felt like a dork. The people were very mellow and stopped their boat while we backed up. Luna and Liam got chances to pedal. It was fun. The dock was right at the AnneFrank house so we went in. That was very interesting and sad. We went into the rooms she and her family stayed in. Luna understood, Liam was bored. We watched videos of Auschwitz. Byron read the Diary of Anne Frank in Kolozsvar and was very interested in going.

The kids are dying to rent bikes. I am hesitant because this is a serious bike place. There are separate paths everywhere and if you walk on or across them it is like a street where one must look. Basically the bikes and pedestrians own the roads, not the cars. If you getin a biker’s way though they are mellow and ring their little bells. At the train station there is an actual parking garage for bikes with thousands of bikes! Really! I love it. Luna decided that it is better to bike than drive and she wants a bike instead of a car when shegrows up.

Earlier we had frites (fries) for a snack. People are very serious about their frites and sauces. Sate (satay-peanut sauce) is a popular topping. Last night at the train station we tried curry frites. The curry was sweet. The sate was also sweet. Quite an experience. Liam loved it. Byron and Luna grew weary of them fast. I loved them but felt guilty the whole time. I guess the 10 lbs I inadvertently lost this trip will return.

Tomorrow there is a demonstration against the role of the US and Israel in the Middle East. Of course, I will go.