BOB AND JOAN VISIT
This is my second attempt at this cause I hit the wrong key and lost part of
the post. I hope I can recreate the wonderful post I was working on.
After a bit of confusion at the airport we hooked up with cousin Bob and his
wife Joan. After a quick train ride into Amsterdam we all arrived at our
apartment. A short nap and soon we all took off for the loveliness of walking
the streets of Amsterdam. Dinner that evening was special. I didn't realize it
was their 55th wedding anniversary. I had chosen a really fun place with
different cuisine...Casa Peru. Ray has pictures with all of our entrees.
Van Gogh museum was next on the agenda for Thursday. We gave them our museum
passes and enjoyed sitting and drinking a coffee. The weather was a little
rainy, but not too bad. It changes so frequently here. Gotta go with the flow.
Had dinner at a close by Italian restaurant. Pizza and a variety of appetizers
with a few cocktails capped off the evening.
Friday we all got up early (5:30) to hop on the bus for Aalsmeer to witness
the Flower Auction. This is a site to behold. The building is 10.6 million
square foot. 243 acres. It is the fourth largest building in the world. They
auction 20 million flowers a day. Some of you may have seen this place on Mega
Factories on the Discovery Channel or one of those shows. We did the self
guided tour which involved walking above all the action. We are estimating the
walk from one end to the next is around 1/4 mile or more. Flowers everywhere,
carts flying. Looks like mass confusion. The auction part moves quickly with
men (we didn't see any females) sitting at computers bidding on the flowers as
they move past them in the auction rooms. Got back to Amsterdam by mid morning.
The action at the auction is over by 10 AM or a bit later, and the flowers are
shipped out. As we waited for the bus home we saw truck after truck leaving the
facility. Bob and Joan visited Rembrandt's House later in the day. Ray and I
did a little shopping for dinner in that evening.
We all enjoyed a canal cruise on Saturday. Had a drink and snack in
Rembrandt Square. The square was very lively today as it usually is on the
weekend. Bob and Joan visited another museum in the afternoon. Dinner that
night was at another close by Italian restaurant recommended by our friend
Nanny. Tiny place, very noisy. I had the best entree...homemade sausage. Out of
this world. We will be back. Too much good food here.
Day of worship at our wonderful parish. We have
a little friend who we sit behind. Hadn't seen him in a few weeks since we were
out of town. He has the greatest smile. Good music today, but not the Ghana
choir. I think they sing on the last Sunday of the week. Bob and Joan spent
part of the afternoon at the Begijnhof and a small art fair. The Begijnhof is
an enclosed courtyard from the 14th century. It was originally built as a sanctuary
for the Begijntjes, a Catholic sisterhood who lived like nuns, although they
took no monastic vows. Women still live there. Another wonderful dinner out.
Frenzi...Bob and Ray had tapas and Joan and I had crab cakes and a wonderful cannelloni
stuffed with spinach.
We all have been working on crossword puzzles Bob and Joan brought from
Chicago. It takes all four of us to finish them. Ray as usual is a pain in the
neck and yells at everyone if they put in a wrong answer.
Today is Monday. Time flies when you are having fun. Rijksmuseum for Bob and
Joan. One MUST go there if you are in Amsterdam. One of the most famous museums
in the world. It can be overwhelming. It has been under renovations for years
and only partly open. It was under renovation when we were here 4 years ago.
Supposed to reopen next year in the spring. We shall see. The place is massive.
Happy New Year to all our Jewish friends.
Sep 12, 2012 Bob & Joan Arrive
Sep 13, 2012 Bob & Joan Van Gogh
Sep 14, 2012 Bob & Joan Aalsmeer
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