Enamored With Amsterdam…

Amsterdam
Amsterdam

Welcome home.

Bummer…up all night with a headache. It was unlike my typical migraine.

Never slept so on the advise of my in-house doctor, Courtny, I headed to a spin class.

Miracle. I kicked the crap out of my endorphins and I felt better.

I have analyzed my medical situation and I think I should move to Europe. Less stress, no sulfites in the wine to ignite migraines, natural ingredients, no preservatives.

Courtny With Frites in the Red Light District
Courtny With Frites in the Red Light District

I want to institute the European diet consisting of wine, bread, butter, cheese, and pommes frites combined with walking 15 miles a day. The reward is you can depart Europe without extra baggage.

If I followed that lifestyle in America, I would be shopping at Lane Bryant within the month.

Cheese
Cheese

Speaking food, I could not believe how sophisticated Amsterdam has become. The fare is fabulous and the coffee even better than in France. And, let us not forget the infamous cheese and pancakes.

Shopping District 9
Shopping District 9

The shopping streets, specifically District 9, are plentiful, filled with exclusive and trendy merchandise.

Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum

The museums are fantastic and all newly renovated. The Van Gogh museum is stellar. Amongst the  200 painting and 500 drawings, we hit a very interesting exhibit comparing the works of Van Gogh and Edvard Munch.

Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum
IMG_2883
Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum has recently completed a 375 million Euro overhaul and it is regal. Forget the artwork, the structure itself is a work of art.

Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, Rijksmuseum
Johannes Vermeer, The Milkmaid, Rijksmuseum
View of Henengracht Canal from our apartment
View of Henengracht Canal from our apartment

Our apartment was situated on the top floor on the beautiful Henengracht canal.

Stairway to Apartment
Stairway to Apartment

The walk up and down the steps was challenging, but sadistically fun.

Canals
Canals

The canals are truly one of the unparalleled historical beauties.

Canals
Canals

We landed and hit the ground running, visiting museums, walking the canals (there are 165 canals), exploring the trendy Jordaan Canal district.

Anne Frank's Bedroom
Anne Frank’s Bedroom

The Anne Frank house has also been renovated and is as touching and undeniably relevant as it was in 1944.

Henengracht Canal
Henengracht Canal

We took a canal cruise, taking in the 60 miles of canals which puts the entire city into perspective and then we proceeded to walk most of Amsterdam.

Begjinhof
Begjinhof

We discovered the Begjinhof (courtyard established in the 14th century). A community of devout women still inhabit the surrounding homes.

Farmers Market
Farmers Market

Farmers markets abound and the display of local artisan foods was impressive along with the Bloemenmarkt (flower market), the last of the city’s floating markets.

Red Light District
Red Light District

Of course, what is a trip to Amsterdam without a visit to the Red Light district.  Portions of the neighborhood have been sold off and gentrified.

Courtny could not believe that the barely clothed women actually stand in the window in the morning light.

These girls were not attractive and looked completely bored, doing their nails and talking on their cells while flashing their wares.

Toby & David
Toby & David

The Dutch are happy, smiling, bicycle junkies who now reside within an atmosphere of urban sophistication.

You didn’t even need to get high to feed off the upbeat, spirited vibe enveloping Amsterdam.

It was a magical ride.

Canals
Canals

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