We are leaving Amsterdam today to go back to London. This morning we got up early to go to the Anne Frank House since the line was so long yesterday at 7pm we didn't go in. Today we are here before the doors open and there's still a healthy line. I enjoyed our day yesterday immensely, even better than the first day. It was good to get out of the seedier bits of the city, the area which is fun (has a similar feel to the French Quarter in New Orleans), but is full of tourists and gets tiresome. We began the day with breakfast at a cafe in a department store, then walked to the Rembrandt House. The Rembrandt House is the place he lived and worked and it has been restored to the way it was whilst he lived there. On display is the artwork of his friend and sometimes rival, Lievens, who was as talented as Rembrandt but has not achieved quite the historical success he did. Next we walked to the Hermitage Museum, but the long line put us off. Instead we had lunch at an outdoor cafe and decided to walk to the Heineken Experience. After a walk so long I was dying to sit down for a beer, we decided to skip the Heineken Experience in favor of the Van Gogh Museum, which was nearby. But not before sitting down and enjoying two very well-earned beers. The Van Gogh Museum includes about 200 of the 900 works that were in his inventory at the time of his death. Seeing them side-by-side, it enables one to see his evolution as an artist. For dinner we decided to go to the restaurant in the hotel, which is French. The food was lovely, but I have to say I was not impressed with the cheeses, which were what I really came for. Next stop, London!
Travel
August 05, 2009
August 04, 2009
Amsterdam Day 1
We are well into our second day in Amsterdam so I want to record a few things about our first day. After enjoying our beer at the outdoor cafe near the Dam, we walked to the Amsterdam Historical Museum. It offered a glimpse into life in Amsterdam from the 1300s to the present. Next, we took a ride on the canal, which was more relaxing than it was interesting. It's much more useful to look at Amaterdam from the streets rather than canals, I think. Still, if recommend a boat trip simply for the pleasure of it. The red light district is about a block from our hotel and we've been through it a few times as a result. It is disconcerting to see the prostitutes standing inside the rooms with glass doors, silently advertising themselves. I want to look closely at them but feel like I'm exploiting them just for doing that. Mick, of course, has no such reservations. The streets, especially in the red light district, are full of groups of young men. As my friend Zach put it, it's a sausage factory. After an evening of debauchery (relatively speaking, of course) we retired to our room. I recommend the space cakes, but share one with a friend if you are inexperienced!
August 03, 2009
Amsterdam!
We made it to Amsterdam and after being here for only an hour I've decided I love it. After checking into our hotel, the Grand Sofitel, we set off for the city center in search of beer and a map. The first picture is Mick and I sitting at an outdoor cafe and the second is what we see from our seats. More later, of course!
July 31, 2009
Party Planning
We arrived in England early this morning and after a quick nap and lunch, we helped Mick's sister Nina decorate for her 40th birthday party tomorrow night. The simple but beautiful centerpieces were made using blue vases purchased at IKEA and a single white hydrangea in each. I'll post photos of the decorated tent tomorrow but for now here's a sneak peek.
July 30, 2009
Bon Voyage!
We're just waiting for the plane to load and then we're off. See you on the other side of the pond!
July 24, 2009
Planning My Research Trip - Part I
Mick and I are taking a trip to England next week and whilst it is an opportunity to see his family, for me it is also going to be a research trip.
I have been to London many times, and this made choosing the city for my setting much less intimidating. Now that the novel is written, I have a pretty good idea of most of the locations in the book. The purpose of my research in London will be mostly to take photos, soak up some atmosphere (and hopefully some inspiration), and make sure that my chosen locations make sense.
Somerset House, the Strand, London
This was the queen's residence during the time I'm writing about.
Today is the first day I started planning, and I began by writing up a rough list of locations I need to visit:
Royal Exchange
Primrose Hill
Somerset House
Tower of London
Westminster Abby
Banqueting House
St Martins-in-the-Fields
There will, of course, be many more. I've already been to many of these locations, but this time I will return with my novel in mind. For example, the Tower of London houses the crown jewels, and I want to look at the items made for Charles II's coronation in 1661 because one of my characters was apprentice to the goldsmith who made them.
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