Amsterdam

Chaos. Neon lights, bikes (motor and leg powered) dominate walking space, loads of people (high tourist season + gay pride canal weekend parades) make for a busy city. Gentle rain, canals and beautiful narrow pointed houses have a calming effect.

We've hit the tourist highlights and predicably managed to get turned around in the cobweb of canals and narrow streets and alleys. We found the Red Light District. Predictably shocking. Coffee shops are everywhere. Enjoyed learning about the progression of Vincent Van Gogh (Gogh is pronounced "hoff") as an artist at the Van Gogh Museum. It is full of masterpieces. The museum houses the Dutch artist's largest collection of his work in the world. Starry Night is in NYC, but favorties here included Sunflowers, Almond Blossoms, Twilight in the City, & The Bedroom (which was unfortunately under restoration). Also saw the Anne Frank House (now museum), where the eight-year-old wrote in her diary for almost two years in hiding. Only the outside. The line was outrageous.

Spent some time in a beautiful park and along the canals. Sunday and Monday were perfectly beautiful, cool and sunny.

Leaving for Turkey this evening.