The Colors and Aromas of Amsterdam

What a fantastic city !  Henk and Anna have shown us around for three days now (we are pretty exhausted, even the non-stop energy Anna but she continues to press on, whipping up amazing dinners and freshly baked desserts even after a full day of showing us the sights of her city).  Evelyn has been amazing each day -- dozing in her strolller when she feels the need for a little nap, and particularly when we bump our way across a cobblestone plaza (she loves the vibrations). 

Henk toured with us the first day when we took a canal boat tour -- and then showed us all his favorite little alleyways and secret gardens tucked away behind university buildings and next to enticing little cafes.  What strikes us most is that this city, in every way, is a working, living, breathing (smoking) city - not a tourist town.  Loooove that about it - the bikes, the boats, they are all on their way to and from some meeting or art exhibit or school room. 

The food and drink have been particularly awesome -- Anna accomodates our American-sizes appetites as we stop off at all sorts of kroket vendors, cafes, pubs and waffle stands all day long (!).  I found my favorite spot that I will frequent when/if I ever move to Amsterdam -- you will find me at the Cafe 't Smalle eating pofferties and drinking koffie verkeerd.

We've strolled through the flower district, walked the red carpet at City Hall after the Crown Prince William arrived there by royal limousine, took a picture with a Swedish Chicken Man (more on that later), gotten yelled at by a market vendor for trying on a fun wig and taking a photo (oops!), walked the streets of the Red Light District (yes, women and their wares for sale even at 1 in the afternoon), and didn't even once cause a collision with a bicyclist.  I haven't really practiced my Dutch since everyone speaks English and Anna has been our tour guide, but this afternoon Tag chided me into ordering him another beer and after some coaching from Anna I think I pulled it off - his beer arrived shortly thereafter!

Tag has been having a good time - and thoroughly enjoyed his first European Futbol match (Holland vs Sweden at the Ajax home stadium).  The ride to the stadium might have been the most memorable part of the evening though.  We waited and waited at the station for the train to arrive (unusual, because they are normally very punctual).  But when it pulled up at last, we realized the reason for the delay - it was Jam-Packed with Cheering, Chanting, Yellow and Blue Swedes (Hooligans, Henk calls them -- any soccer fan, that is) all liquered up and dressed in their Futbol Best !!  Poor Henk doesn't like a crowd, but one look at Tag's face and I knew we had to get on that train, so I begged a tall Hooligan to allow us space onto the rail car and He Did !  So we rode the 15 minutes or so to the stadium sardined in a rail car full of boisterous Swedish Futbol fans and a token few Hollanders, and it was absolutely hilarious!! They were singing the entire time and I think we were a bit deaf by the end of the ride... The costumes on these folks is impressive -- large (Dr. Seuss large), brightly colored hats with bells, painted faces, Chicken costumes (?!) - you name it - these fans are the definition of die hard.  So much fun to be a part of it. Tag and I bought Holland caps to wear into the game (Henk wore his Holland t-shirt -- he's such a good sport).  We sat amidst a sea of bright orange at center field and watched Holland beat Sweden 4 to 1.  Pretty spectacular evening.

Tonight we enjoyed another amazing meal by Anna and now we're settling Evey to sleep (she's so exhausted and beyond knowing how to fall asleep...it's a battle each night...but when she finally goes down, she's down for good).  It's our last night in Amsterdam and then we give Henk and Anna their house and bedroom back (Henk joked this evening on the "stuff covering everything!" and that we'll need to "move out"  when we leave for Nijkerk tomorrow...Ha!).  They have been more than gracious in everyway -- we are so fortunate to have such wonderful family over here in my mother's beautiful homeland.