3.09.2010

Paintings, PJ's and Pastries in Amsterdam

Our alarm clocks went off far too early the morning my friend Amy and I were to depart Paris for Amsterdam last October. But up we got, dressed warmly and happily found a taxi just steps outside my brother Ryan's apartment.
Off we went through the darkened streets to the train station, Gare du Nord, unloaded our bags, and found a spot by a bright pink heater that gave us huddled travelers a distinctive fuschia hue. We were an hour early, but we didn't mind. Better safe than sorry. Besides, it gave us ample time for people watching, fashion observing and getting the lay of the land. We were intrigued by the number of people wearing Hammer Pants, those voluminous, mid-shin atrocities in bright colors, as well as the military posted around the building, AK-47's at the ready as they strode through the station, eyes roving the crowd for miscreants.

Our train was delayed several times, but finally it was ready. We joined the milling passengers on the platform as frosty winds tossed skirts and hair. We found our First Class cabin and I couldn't help but grin to myself in a pinch-me-I-must-be-dreaming sort of way. For as long as I can remember, back when I first became enamored with the idea of train travel through black and white movies and Agatha Christie books, I have longed to travel First Class on a train. I know it's a silly thing nowadays when such things are easily accessible to all travelers, but for me it was special. We had plush, comfy seats with oodles of legroom and places for all our luggage to fit comfortably. Free Wi-Fi enabled us to upload pictures and Facebook Notes while we hurtled along through the French, Belgian and Dutch countryside. A young African man in an immaculate gray uniform with red trim served us breakfast – lovely creamy cheeses, peppered ham, croissant, fresh ruby red grapefruit and figs with coffee for me, an assortment of sweet cakes with tea for Amy. Deeelicious!


He followed shortly with another basket of croissants for the truly famished. An hour or so later a different man brought us lunch – pasta parcels with white wine from South Africa for me, a cheese sandwich and red wine for Amy. It was such a peaceful, happy way to travel. No stress, no worries, no screaming children or rowdy teenagers or drunk Germans.

We arrived in Amsterdam to brilliant sunshine and oh-so-blustery winds, and made our way to Ryan's wonderful apartment on the Prinsengracht Straat.


We got ourselves situated then headed out for some afternoon exploring, wending our way along bumpy, cobbled streets over canals and down twisting side streets. Since Amsterdam was not on our initial itinerary we had no maps or guidebooks to chart our path, but we managed to find a Tourist Information booth and Amy secured a map and vague directions to the Rijksmuseum. Sunshine shone coldly down through the still-leafy trees, lending an illusion of warmth but much beauty. The museum was smaller than we'd imagined, but well worth the price of admission. I've long been a fan of the Dutch masters, loving their ability to capture exquisite details of feature, attire and expression. I am not so entranced by baubles and knickknacks, but the paintings were fantastic.


 

After the museum we emerged to the rare combination of being rained on with the sun shining, but we braved the weather and happily wandered charming alleys, squares and streets.



 If I can't have a Hobbit House of my own one day, I want this door, please. :-)


We stopped in at a bakery and loaded up on amazing bread and pastries. I'm so glad they're starting to get bread like this around here! :-)



Content with our initial explorations, we headed back to Ry's place for a relaxing evening of pjs, popcorn, pastries and old movies like Laura. It was a splendid first day in Amsterdam. :-)


14 comments:

  1. I love train travel. I recommend it to everyone. The food you had sounds wonderful. I wish it were like that here in the states.

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  2. Me too, Amuse. :-) For some reason most of my overseas travel has been by car, so taking the train this time around was a thrill. :-) I wish we had European style food here too. I guess we'll just have to keep making it in our own little kitchens, eh? :-)

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  3. Oh my. I have wanted to go to Amsterdam for a bit now....but this has convinced me. "I want to go to there!" Perhaps this summer I should take a little trip...

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  4. Yes!! You simply must, Rebekah! :-) And if you guys need a place to stay, touch base with Ryan. :-) I will post more about it, but my favorite bit was renting bikes and touring around the city, having a picnic in the park, biking out along the river. Sigh. :-)

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  5. Amsterdam looks so gorgeous! I may be going this summer and I am definitely looking forward to it.

    I've never traveled on a train before (well not more than a 2 hour ride). It sounds so rustic and lovely!

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  6. I've always wanted to go to Amsterdam and now I want to even more!

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  7. You are a true bon vivant Krista. It's lovely to read the enjoyment you find in all your adventures. I haven't been to Amsterdam in a million years - you made it v. appealing all over again. And that train lunch!!!!! I went out trying to find puff pastry yesterday, they used to sell it at Trader Joe's and I could make chausson aux pommes. (French apple turnovers). But no longer - and everything else I found was made of vegetable shortening not butter. So I SECOND THAT EMOTION! Oh! If only we could eat so well so easily over on this side of the world. On the other hand, then our adventures away would not seem so special.....Thanks for stopping by P.P. You totally get that too! (I do like you!)

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  8. Oh! I'm SO excited for you, Joanne!! This was my first long train ride too and I loved it! :-)

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  9. It was SO lovely, Sarah! I hope you get to go very, very soon. I want to see one of your postcard posts after you go! :-)

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  10. Ohhh, I'm grinning so big, Paradis! You absolutely made my day! Grrr - why don't they use butter in puff pastry??!! You are a true kindred spirit. :-)

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  11. Sounds like a wonderful trip. Hope all is well with the new apt!

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  12. Thank you, El! It's getting better, more organized. :-)

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  13. I have chocolate croissants in the oven as I type this -- truly! Haha! Let's get happy and rotund together! I'm in love with that little door. Don't you love discover quirky windows and doors?

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  14. Ohhh, what a perfectly splendid idea, Jacqueline!! :-) Rotund, eating chocolate croissants, loving funky doors and windows. You're the best! :-)

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