What a fascinating trip it has been so far! I am staying in the German Seaman's Mission, which used to be a hostel for sailors and is now for everyone. I have not seen a sailor so far, but Stefan, the guy on reception, goes out to the big boats and takes the sailors the things that they need.
The little breakast room faces a lovely canal, lit up at night, which houses some quite big barges. I think people live on them, but, like the sailors, i have not seen anyone. but it is the greatest pleasure to walk alongside the canals and gaze into the water-it gives a feeling of peace.
I am living very near Rembrandt square and there is a fine statue of him in the middle. tomorrow my friend lies and i will go to the museum with his paintings, but yesterday I saw the outside of the house where he spent most of his life. and presumably did his paintings. Not sure about that, because the paintings are enormous and would have never fitted in the narrow Dautch houses.
Speaking of which, I took an hour long boat trip on the water yesterday.I say 'water' because although most of the journey was along the canals, we did go as far as the beginning of the North Sea, where the water is wide and there are some big boats-very exciting!
On the tour we had the history of amsterdam, cruised along the different neighbourhoods and saw some very elegant houses, as well seeing some buskers with guitars taking a rest on a bench by the canal. they have put up smass railings to prevent cars faling into the water, but at least one car a week still tips into the canal!
Catch you again soon
Shalom from Gila
1 comment:
Sounds as though you are really enjoying yourself, keep it up. B
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