Adventures in Amsterdam

 Mark and I decided to go to the Het Scheep Vaart Museum.  It's a maritime (spelling?) museum that Mark had his heart set on going to last year and they were closed for remodeling.  Bummer!  But we knew we could make it this year, so we set off on foot.  We walked through the local street maket next to Cari's place.  I thought of Capi when I saw the really cute cherries dress.

 Hmmm.....interesting......

 Again, interesting.....

 Lots of folks out shopping. 

 Flowers everywhere.

Mark checks stuff out.

 This is a picture of the bridge we crossed while we walked to the museum.  They have them displayed on the side of the bridge!

 Lovely walk.

 Trees in bloom.

 Windmills!  And this one has a bar in it, with some amazing beer.  More on this at a later date.

Oh my, looks like we're almost there!

A rainy day in Amsterdam

 Woke up this morning to some pretty sunshine.  Nice and cheerful way to start the day.

 Someone didn't want to give up his chair......

 Mark and I decided to walk to a nearby grocery store and buy some lunch supplies.  Here is the view to the left from in front of Cari's place.

This is a little resturant on Cari's street that we pass on the way to the grocery store (and I do mean LITTLE).  Almost every night it's packed to the walls with nationals of Spain.  And they always seem to be having a lot of fun, whether someone is playing the guitar and singing for the crowd, or if there's a football game on.  It is a wonderful little part of Amsterdam.

 THIS is on our path to the grocery store: can you see why we wanted to walk to the store?  I still can't believe how lucky we are to be here.

 The opera house is across the street from the grocery store.  Wow.

 Here Mark is carrying our goods home.

 There are always fresh flowers on the table.  Love it.

 Cari got home early today and we decided to walk and get some coffee.  Again, flowers.  LOVE that!

Well, the day started out sunny, but ended up rainy and rather cold.  But heck, being from Oregon, we knew we wouldn't melt and trudged on.
There was coffee to be had!

 See?  Cari got mint tea, Mark got a latte, and I got a cup of real drip coffee.  Oh man, I was so happy!!!

 The ads in the magazines crack me up.  Some words in English: some in Dutch.

While we were at the coffee shop I checked FB one more time to see if our newest family member had arrived and he had!!!  We were so excited to see a picture of our newest person to love.  He's adorable and we can't wait to meet him. Eli, we love you already very much.

 Aren't they cute?

 After coffee Cari went for a run, and then we took off for a late dinner.  At least it stopped raining.

 We went to a libanees restarant: Artist.  It was beautiful inside, the man who owns it was the sweetest man ever (he told us he adopted us and we were thrillled!  he was so happy we were happy), the food was excellent, and I have to say t was one of the best dinners I've ever had, both food and company.

 Aren't we cute?

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 Oh, all of us are cute!

Speaking of cute, guess who was waiting for us when we got home????  This is from earlier in the day, but you get the message.

Today was a good day.

 After touring the church we headed back into town to see if we could tour the Corrie Ten Boom house.  If you've never read her story you should!  Her family hid Jewish people during the war, they were discovered doing this and she and her family were sent to a prison camp. 

We arrived too late, but we will probably come back and do the tour.  But if anything I'm glad I was here to see.  Her story was very touching to me.

Art in this city is everywhere.

 Oh, and folks getting ready for Queen's Day this weekend.  The whole country is going to be one big orange party!

 Mark studies the map to see where we want to wander next.

 But pretty much any street here is worth walking in.

 We decided to go to one of the bridges.

 For some reason the statue at the foot of the bridge was covered in various knitted items.  Hmmm...interesting to say the least.

 Love the view from the bridge.

 Again, what's not to like about the views from the bridge?

If you have to guess why I took this picture, then you don't know me. 

 Mark checks out the 'penguin' boat.

 This sweet little store made me think of Kathy and Rosemary.

 Loved, loved, loved the quaint little side streets.

 Hmmm...thought of Kathy again.  If you have to ask why, you don't Kathy very well either. 

 Mark hangs out.

 We decide to have some dinner.  We first went to a little pizza place, but not only would they not take debit cards, but (believe it or not) their sign said they didn't accept cash!  We've discovered this trip that most places are only taking Dutch debit cards.  Oh most will take cash, but this has crimped our style.  Don't like walking around with much cash on us.  Sigh.

So we found a great place right across the street.  I got a mozzerla, tomato, and pesto sandwich, and Mark got a burger.  The presentation was amazing, and the food was so good.  Forget you pizza guys!

 This was the view we had while dining.

 We then decided it was time to go back.  Here we're waiting at the station.

 Yep, that's our train.

When we arrived in Amsterdam we decided to walk back to the apartment since Cari was working late.   The weather was a bit nippy, but not too bad.  And WOW the crowds!

 Oh my.  Look what we passed on our way.....

 Hey Dean: look familar??? 

 When we passed by the Nike store we noticed they were interviewing someone.  Lots of folks were watching, so we did too, and took some pictures.  Yes Amanda, I looked for you, LOL!!!

 This store cracks me up.  Sissy-Boy.  Really???

Almost home.  This is the swim center by Cari's place.  It turns 100 this year.  It's beautiful.

Last but not least., this was posted on one of the apartments.  I can't read what it sayd, but it CRACKED ME UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!