We traveled by bus from Maastricht to Amsterdam on Saturday morning. The weather was rainy and cold--very cold. The minute I got off the bus, I ran around a corner, and said, "I need a sweater, please!" and got a lovely tunic-length sweater. Half an hour later, I bought a scarf and Amsterdam hoodie, and *then* I warmed up! The Anne Frank house was a moving and inspiring experience. It has been nearly 40 years since I read Anne Frank's diary, but being in the physical space where this Jewish family spent 25 months in hiding was profound. One video of an interview with Otto Frank, Anne's father, who was the only survivor of the concentration camps where the family was eventually sent, revealed the importance of her diary. He said that he never imagined that little Anne had such deep and profound thoughts. The small, dark room where she lived, and hoped and dreamed for the day when she could dance in the sunlight again...I can't even describe how it felt to stand in that room. Extremely moving.
The majority of the group went to the Van Gogh museum, but Dr. Zipperlen and I went to the Riks Museum, which houses the famous "Night Watch" painting of Rembrandt. Although the majority of the museum is under renovation, I saw several Vermeer's and Rembrandt's, and it was the experience of a lifetime. What is interesting is that I was in Amsterdam (for a day) at the age of 16, and I remember two things: Night Watch and ice cream! It was cool to see that painting again.
A train ride, and only a bit of wandering, brought us back to the NH Hotel in the City Centre. Dr. Zipperlen was a good hiking buddy!
I had dinner in a traditional Belgian restaurant with Dr. Zipperlen and Henk (our trip facilitator), and went out on a limb and had calf liver and onions, and *finally* had some delicious Dutch ice cream. We partook of dessert in true "Marian/Dolly Parton" style by ordering two different choices--pear helene and peach melba--and then sharing, although I didn't stop at Dolly's "one bite" rule, I have to admit!
On the walk back from Anne Frank, we did see several "red light" windows, and one with a young woman, scantily clad, in the window, waiting for a customer. I am still reflecting on the society here which openly allows drug use and prostitution. I saw many drug addicts, obviously suffering, on the street. "Coffeehouses" allow pot smoking, and the aroma permeates downtown alleyways. The major criminal issues arise, they tell us, from tourists who travel here to partake of what is illegal in other countries, as well as foreign drug dealers who peddle harder drugs (still illegal here).
It was good to come "home" to the castle in Maastricht, a small university town. We suffered a 3-hour bus ride in 90+ degree temperatures without AC, and no windows to open. Cohort 3 is gifted with a great sense of humor (especially in the person of Ron Knight) helped to lighten the atmosphere with one rendition of a sermon on what it feels like to be in hell (envision relating the message to the "red light district") as well as a performance of "Ice, Ice Baby." Cohort 3 continues to welcome me as an adopted member, which I truly appreciate!
Now we start another 3 12-hour days of intense academic coursework. Rested and ready...
Click here to see the album from my Weekend in Amsterdam
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