After our chair purchase on Tuesday we walked up to Dam Square and visited the Palace. One of the first things we did when we arrived in Amsterdam was purchase the Museumkaart which cost €40 each. It gives us access to over 400 museums and other sites in The Netherlands. I think over 40 are in Amsterdam. Anyway most of the places we will write about are included on the card. We will get our money's worth many times over.

Outside the palace there was a runway set up and loads of people hanging out. We discovered it is Fashion Week in Amsterdam and there was a show going on. Wish our Emily could be here with us today. She loves fashion and is herself a model. Some of you remember her cover spread on the Kohls back to school flyer and her big time American Girl Christmas catalog thingy. (Brag much Gramma?!)

So, we went into the palace and it really was lovely. Ray took numerous pictures and read EVERYTHING there was to read in English. I looked at pretty much everything, but finished well ahead of Mr. Wynn.

I went outside to check out the fashion. The guys were on the runway. Not sure what they were modeling, but I think Tee shirts. Not real exciting. The designer came out at the end and did the usual walk down the runway and the waving.

Next came the gals and their designs were pretty high fashion. Where would you wear it?? Who knows? It was fun to watch these models walking in the 6 inch heels on cobblestone doing the model strut. No one tripped. Ray arrived a bit later (after all that reading) and snapped a few pictures.

Right next to the Palace is the New Church which we visited on Wednesday. Very ornate. The pipe organ is a monster. The one at Our Lady of Mount Carmel looks like a baby in comparison. Ray has pictures of the organ and the interior of the church.

It is Thursday already. Still staying up late and sleeping late. Hooked on watching BBC. Some of their drama shows are so well done and commercial free. Watched London Hospital last night. Fabulous!

So yesterday we went to the New Church...today the Old Church. Gotta use that Museumkaart. Much less ornate. They have a big a** organ too, and the organist was playing when we arrived. I think they are either practicing or just doing a little performance at lunch time. Many people buried here and we walked on most of them. Probably the most famous person buried here is Rembrandt's wife.

We have been resisting, but today we gave in and got the wonderful fries with mayo. We shared a small cone. The best stand in the city (so says our friend Jim) is way too close to our apartment. Just a quick run thru the mall and you are there. There is usually a line, but it wasn't too bad today.

Weather has been variable here for the past few days. No real rain during the day, but bouts of mistiness, cloudiness and sunshine.

Living the dream!

July 10-11, 2012 Konoklijk Paleis 

July 11, 2012 Nieuwe Kerk

 

Oude Kerk