Amsterdam

The Budman and I decided to take the last remaining German holiday until November and extend it into a 4 day weekend in Amsterdam. Well, not actually 4 days, rather like 3, since the Budman left for India on Sunday. Still, we looked forward to a few days of R&R, so we were a bit caught unawares by two things:

First, it’s hard to believe by the some of the early photos that it’s June. It was downright cold, drizzly, and wet on the first day or so. No worries as the last day was gorgeous. Here’s Bud in Dam Square…





Note: Could it be the 2006 Christmas photo???? At least we have one in the running....

Secondly, the Dutch were ecstatic over their second win in the World Cup and advancement to the second round. It was a sea of orange everywhere, with people (and I mean TONS of people) celebrating the entire weekend. At first, I said, "Why orange as the team color", since the Dutch flag is red, white, and blue. Ah, then I learned a bit of history...the Dutch Monarchy and the House of Orange...ahhhh....

Using a tried and true approach for sightseeing in the rain, we decided on a change of venue and visited two of the finest museums in the world to see the artwork of two of Amsterdam’s most treasured sons: Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Apparently, everyone else had the same idea.