Amsterdam, Netherlands: I cannot be in the cold weather any more. What a wimp. Wearing a long-sleeved top, a wool crewneck sweater, a thick wool cardigan, a wind/rain jacket, and a beanie - it is still icy in the bracing wind. We woke to another cold day and the first that had rain in the future. We also had hail and a few patches of sun.
Our plan for the day was to visit the Upside Down House and then an open-air market for a bit of shopping and food-stall dining. We ended up taking the tram to the Upside Down House (no walking today, but it was probably too far for us to walk anyway). This amusement was very fun for the kids, but I think it is aimed at 20-something Instagramers. So many photo-op spots with props. It is interactive and of course, they take your photo and have several spots inside the venue where they snap your photo. They did not charge for the photos though, so that was a nice surprise.
Thing is: not much in the Upside Down House is upside down, but there are so many rooms to visit and so many scenarios to plan great shots. Groups of teens were definitely having the most fun. Kids with their grandparents, maybe not so much, but it was a fun activity for a few hours when it is 40°, rainy and windy.
We were going to stop at the Albert Cuyp Market, but just stayed in the tram as it passed the market. Too cold. Instead we left the tram at Rembrandt Square and had lunch in a small cafe.
On our walk back to the hotel, we passed Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum. Our grandchildren had never heard of a wax museum and were intrigued enough to go inside. (Dave and I remember going to this museum in London while Lisa was in high school.) I was happy to go inside, if only to get out of the cold.
Kinda glad we did too. There was a cocktail party happening inside (and actually a real - non-wax - bartender selling all sorts of colorful drinks. Odd.) Leonardo was there. Prince Harry & Meghan, Timothy Chalamet. Lady Gaga. Brad Pitt AND Angelina (but not together… with Jennifer Aniston hovering nearby). Anyway, within moments DT is all buddy-buddy with some guy in a tux:
Let’s face it - DT can move in any circle. He is also friends with Usain Bolt:
This was a fun experience, and sometimes the statues look so real it is impossible to believe they have to have paid Ed Sheeran to stand in the lobby. So Real. Marilyn Monroe did not look a thing like the actress, so what do I know? And the management of this establishment has a sense of humor. Donald Trump is lined up with Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and the Dali Lama.
There were many figures we did not know - Dutch footballers, politicians, DJs and television/film stars. I thought there were really a lot of Dutch wax figures, but in reality most of the people portrayed are American.
It looks like Anne has just turned her head and is going to laugh,
I was clever enough to make reservations at our (very nice) hotel restaurant for dinner tonight so we didn’t have to go out again into the weather. Since we are leaving in the morning, this would also give us time to pack our bags. Our meals were very nice and they even had Fish & Chips on the children’s menu to make Our Lucile very happy. But the best part of the evening was the apple pie and the most beautiful cherry-chocolate dessert.
The chef somehow molds chocolate mousse into the shape of a cherry, then gets it cold enough to dip into a cherry glaze. A long stem is added to make the bombe resemble a cherry on steroids. Each kid took one down tonight.
We have enjoyed our time in Amsterdam, no matter the weather. Traveling with children forces us to step outside our usual travel pattern and visit attractions we would not normally see (Upside Down Museum and a swing out over a tower). It is interesting for us to hear their perspective and impressions on our activities. Both grandchildren really loved Amsterdam, and loved how it was so walkable and easy to get from place to place with only your feet, bike or tram/subway.
As I type this late Wednesday evening, Dave, Lucy and Leo are in our bed in their jammies watching a movie. Nice to relax for a bit.
PEDOMETER: Happily only 6,499 steps.
Until my next update, I remain, your tourist-trap correspondent.
LINKS:
The Upside Down House
Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum
Albert Cuyp Market
In the 90’s back home in La Quinta.