A Life, Lived

Travel Tuesdays - Amsterdam

The Facebook memory feature reminds me that I was in Amsterdam 8 years ago. It was the perfect post-Christmas gettaway.

Travel Tuesdays - Amsterdam

So far retirement is grand. The one thing that would make it more grand would be the ability to travel again. LOL

That will come.

This morning I was lazing about the house - retirement is GREAT for that. When I finally got into the den to post my Travel Tuesday post the internet was down. Imagine how great that was for all the parents, students, and educators doing online learning today!

Anyway. 6 years ago I was traveling. My friend Nancy and I were exploring Amsterdam.

Travel Tuesday - Amsterdam Christmas

Christmas is a month away. It is time to revisit some of the places I've visited around Christmas for Travel Tuesdays.

 

Travel Cats

Last week Kayte comment on my Travel Tuesday post because I included a shot of one of the many kitties we meet up while on a trip. This week, as a treat for her, I decided to do a collection of cats we met up with on our trips . . .

Travel Tuesdays - Amsterdam

Hard to believe that three years I was busy preparing for a trip to Amsterdam and Berlin with my friend Nancy.

I am a bit vacation deprived these days so I find myself thinking about past vacations often . . . I guess it is as good as it gets right now.

 

Santa Will Soon be on His Way. . .

Sinterklass is the Dutch version of Santa.

I took this picture when my friend Nancy was showing me her favourite city.

Sinterklaas sails into Amsterdam on a Sunday mid-November with 600 Pieten and plenty of pepernoten (small spiced biscuits), welcomed by upwards of 400,000 spectators who line the canals.

The white-bearded legend traditionally makes his spectacular entrance into the city by sailing down the Amstel River and following a route through the city past the Nieuwe Amstelbrug, Torontobrug, the Hoge Sluis by the Royal Theatre Carré and the Magere Brug. The waterborne parade ends at the Scheepvaartmuseum (Maritime Museum) where Sint is welcomed by the Mayor of Amsterdam. 

Sinterklaas then trades his boat for his white horse Amerigo, and the parade continues through the streets. He's always accompanied by his band of merry helpers, the Zwarte Pieten, who throw cookies and candy to the thousands of onlookers. After passing through the Prins Hendrikkade and the Damrak, Sinterklaas arrives at Dam Square early afternoon to kick-off a special musical programme for kids of all ages.

Once Sint is in town, children lay out their shoes before bedtime, along with water (or wine) and a carrot for the horse, in the hopes that there will be a gift left there by morning. The very good kids are usually rewarded with chocolate letters and marzipan while the naughty anxiously wait to see if they’ve been given coal, again.

This iconic Amsterdam image is on Dam Square, the central square Amsterdam's historical center. The Dam is the site of many buildings and important events. Each year when Sinterklaas processes through Amsterdam, one of the Piets places a wreath beneath the Sinter Claes image. The wreath remains all year.

Photo Hunt - Crimson

This week's Photo Hunt theme is 'crimson'. I'm guessing this was selected because of Sandi's favourite football team! LOL

I'm not a follower of the Crimson Tide so I shall go in a different direction . . .

One of my favourite Van Gogh paintings from the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam- your eye is always pulled towards the crimson blanket on the bed.

Since I am 'in' Amsterdam some crimson shutters on a house.

Crimson flowers for sale . . .

Photo Hunt - Public

This week's Photo Hunt theme is 'public'.

This was a public toilet for men in Amsterdam. When you're used to private, fully enclosed spots in which to do your business it was a bit shocking. I was also curious with its location - right next to the canal. Hopefully they have a good sewer system . . .

Photo Hunt - Ball

This week's Photo Hunt theme is 'ball'.

I was trying to figure out what to post for this week's theme . .. until I looked at the header for my blog. LOL

When I was in Amsterdam a few years ago there was a skating rink set up on Museumplein, the wall around it was decorated with these large balls. Each ball, with the exception of the last one, was a mosaic representing art work in the nearby museums.

Photo Hunt - Ball

This week's Photo Hunt theme is 'ball'.

I was trying to figure out what to post for this week's theme . .. until I looked at the header for my blog. LOL

When I was in Amsterdam a few years ago there was a skating rink set up on Museumplein, the wall around it was decorated with these large balls. Each ball, with the exception of the last one, was a mosaic representing art work in the nearby museums.