I’m separating this event because I don’t want to overwhelm you with my wordiness. I feel like explaining Amsterdam in great detail, and as we were there for 2 days, that will take me some time to accomplish. And by time, I mean many words.
After our brief nap, we watched a little Dutch television. I know what you’re thinking, and it is the same thing I was thinking at the time, why the hell are you watching TV in Amsterdam? Because it is hilarious, that’s why. Cartoons in Dutch, priceless priceless humor. There is something so funny about hearing another language come out of cartoon mouths. I can’t explain it. We didn’t stay for long, just waiting for Dan to shower off the coach ride. We gathered out things and left, on our way to a very spantaneous day.
We walked South, then West. I bought some crazy postcards. By crazy, I mean, I don’t think I could even describe them. Mutations of faces, and a teddy bear with an eye patch blowing bubbles and one that is just literally monsters – psychedelic monsters. After this shop, which also housed a large collection of portraits of famous people like JFK, Jim Morrison, Gandhi… we walked south toward Vondelpark and the Van Gogh Museum. After a pit stop, we found ourselves in the Park, sitting on a bench watching children through giant branches into the river. I felt like I should say something, like “hey kids, rivers don’t like trees all up in their business!” but then I realized that I didn’t know any Dutch, so I would just end up sounding like an English lunatic. We sat for awhile longer, it is great that such a large expanse of green space is available to the citizens of Amsterdam. It is unlike any city park I have come across, it seems like you have suddenly stepped into another world, free from the chaos of the city. I think the happiest places harbor a good combination of urbanity and escape from urbanity.
Next up, we went to the Van Gogh mueseum. Tickets in were €18, but it was money well spent. I don’t know how exhibition works there, but I get the impression that they change the contents of their collection, maybe lending out or borrowing to create new shows. I would like to know more about the politics of museum. No matter, the show on in March was ‘Van Gogh: Night and Day.” A chronicle of his light work leading up to Starry Night. Including two versions of the Sower and some pieces he did while in the asylum. I have always favored Van Gogh in museums, but have never had the opportunity to experience so much of his work at one time. Quite brilliant and slightly overwhelming. We finished the show, collected our coats and bags from the constantly buzzing cloak room, and walked outside to ease out of a minor case of Stendhal syndrome. We ate out and went back to the hotel early, tired and overwhelmed by the serenity of Amsterdam.
