Our week-end in Amsterdam

On Saturday we walked for about four hours.

We walked to Vondelpark http://www.vondelpark.nl/ stopping along a canal when we heard a lot of shouting.

Seems a race of rowers was passing through.

 Spectators were cheering the boats on from the tops of the bridges.

Some of the summer flowers are still in bloom. The weather was mild & there were a lot of people enjoying the park. We saw a group of lime green birds – larger than parakeets, maybe small parrot size all gathered in one area of the park. No idea what they are but they were very noisy; very pretty.

On the way back we passed the Fat Ladies (vette dames) - art sculptures in a window on the Prisengracht – for whatever reason I have stopped to admire them every time we are here. I just find them charming.

We stopped at Sara’s Pancakes, a place we’ve been several times before for a plate of poffertjes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poffertjes with lemon and sugar. Mmmmm.....good snack!

Today, we walked for about four and a half hours.

We headed toward the Dam Square where we watched some street theater with a guy working his way into and out of chains and a straight jacket.

The Royal Palace on Dam Square is in the process of being renovated and we took a tour. We headed toward Nieuwmarkt, on the other side of Chinatown, and to Waterlooplein to a street market.
After a brief wait on a covered side street to sit out the rain, we continued on. The street market was closed on Sunday, so we headed back to our French fries and mayo staple, Vlaamse Frits. http://www.amsterdamlogue.com/french-fries-drowning-in-mayo-its-true.html

On the way back to the apartment Bob was greatly relieved to see that the 1970’s vintage AMC Pacer was still in the neighborhood.

A rusty Chrysler mini-van had taken its place on the bridge.

A quick stop at the market for some staples & dinner ingredients and then we walked ‘home. A visit with Bruce, the owner of the apartment building, checking email, doing laundry; making dinner rounded out our day.

More photos have been posted on Flickr at : http://www.flickr.com/photos/14356799@N06/collections/72157622432557149/

Market Day

On Saturdays there is a type of Farmer's Market about a 10 minute walk from the apartment. Due to some renovation in the area it has moved up the street even closer to us.
We headed down there this morning to shop.
Anything and everything you could possibly imagine is sold at this market. Fresh flowers, herbs, fruits, vegetables, breads, cheese, dairy products, meats, and the traditional flea market junk. The type of thing about which my Grandmother used to say 'One man's junk is another man's treasure.....' So far I have not found treasures but we did find a good seeded bread & some basil cheese. The beginnings of brunch....one of our favorite traditions in Amsterdam.
A quick stop at the store and we came home to make a great brunch. Scrambled eggs with spinach, onions garlic & cheese......mmmm!!!
Have a few housekeeping items to take care of - dishes to do, laundry to get out of the dryer. After that, we are off for a long walk in the park, weather permitting. Speaking of weather, it has been dry here except at night when it has been great to lay in bed listening to the rain. The temperatures are about equal to Keller right now. Today there is a 70% chance of rain. Hopefully we won't get caught in it as we head out to Vondelpark.

Early Amsterdam

We arrived  as planned early Wednesday afternoon. Took the train from Frankfurt, which seemed very long after the sleepless flight over.

Today, we walked down  familiar streets for several hours. Had a nice baguette and brie outside next to the canal visited the local park and did the day's grocery shopping.

The US may have texting while driving.  Here, it's texting while riding your bike.

Try this link to get to today's pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14356799@N06/sets/72157622419720755/

Welcome to Southern Exposure!

In trying to name this blog, I elicited Brian’s help. Always quick witted & creative, these were some of his offerings.......

Africa—because Antarctica doesn’t have a Hilton.

Vacation 2009—the year we went to South Africa before the biggest event to arrive in that country since Mandela was elected but since we’re Yanks who don’t like Soccer we don’t care.

Abandonment 2009—because maybe your second born will turn 26 twice somehow that way you’ll be able to be here for his birthday after all. Maybe?

There were actually a couple of others thrown in there that were very funny but not fit to share here! Sorry! Credit goes to Bob for title. We'll try to post diligently while we are away!

In a day & a half we leave Texas where the weather is finally tolerable again. We are headed first to Amsterdam. Weather in Amsterdam right now is similar to what we’ve had here for the last several days. In the 60’s -rain predicted…..with promises of becoming more gloomy & colder in weeks to come. Then we move on to Africa where the temperatures will be similar to the last six months in Texas. I have a feeling we will miss the perfect weather in Texas that lasts for about five minutes every year. I’m sure you will all email regularly & tell us what glorious fall weather Texas is having in our absence!