Amsterdam Part One

Amsterdam, is a city of XXX and believe me, those X’s are everywhere! True, Amsterdam is known for some less than moral activities and traditionally illegal substance use; however the XXX has nothing to do with any of that. Ironically, the XXX happens to be the symbol of the city ; and you thought I was writing about something else!

Found on everything from the bumpers that line Amsterdam’s numerous canals to keep parking motorists from going over, to the chocolates placed on our pillows at the Hotel Pulitzer during turndown service, the ubiquitous symbol of this city first began appearing in the 12^th century.

The XXX is, to some extent, a mystery. Some believe it comes from the apostle, St. Andrew, Amsterdam’s patron saint. It was said that he had been tortured on crosses of this kind and died on an upside down cross. The reason for the triple cross – reflects the three dangers Amsterdam was plagued with; flood, fire & pestilence. Others believe the symbol’s popularity gained strength because of its simplicity. Its appearance marks a period when most people could not read or write. The XXX was very easy to recognize and very simple to write, making it the perfect symbol to unify the people.

I don’t know which side is correct, but if either holds truth, my money is on the manipulation of the illiterate in the discipline of “keep it simple stupid.”

Highlights & Disappointments

The Amsterdam highlights:

Visiting with friends and family

Interaction with the friendly Dutch people

Walking the canal district and other neighborhoods

Seeing the canal bridge that grants you a view of 15 bridges at once!

Watching the Dutch fearlessly motoring on their bicycles – anyone who has been to Amsterdam knows what I am talking about!!!

Taking a canal boat cruise – our first experience on the waterways and an excellent introduction to Amsterdam.

Riding the Canal Bus, which is more economical (can be used for the entire day and half of the next), is more flexible (can be used on several canal routes), but is less luxurious than a canal boat.

Visiting the Royal Palace – Though Amsterdam is Netherlands capitol, the seat of government is not here, but rests in The Hague where Queen Beatrix lives. Curiously, when entertaining, the queen entertains at the Royal Palace, not in The Hague. Additionally, her overnight guests sleep at the Royal Palace. On an antidotal note, Queen Beatrix has never spent a single night in the Royal Palace.

Feeding pigeons in Dam Square just in front of the Royal Palace. Marlo especially loved feeding these audacious birds, which we did almost daily. On one occasion, Marlo had more birds on her than I could count! Apparently these pigeons have been a tradition here for hundreds of years and, to coin a phrase my husband Paul likes to use, “even to the most casual of observers,” they own the place.

A visit to the RijksMuseum (Visiting the RijksMuseum – due to its state of renovation and construction, the museum, which normally requires hours to view, has all but its most important pieces on loan. We saw all of the major works in an efficient hour and a half.)

A visit to the Van Gogh Museum and getting a crack at the special exhibit of his drawings, sketching and for the first time ever together – his sketch-books!!!

A visit to the Anne Frank House

Watched the kids go crazy at Amsterdam’s children’s museum, “Nemo”

A visit to the Netherlands Maritime Museum– we really should have had more time for this, it’s really cool!

Our hotel, the Hotel Pulitzer due to its fabulous location

The Amsterdam disappointments:

Visiting the Amsterdam floating flower market was highly overrated. After about 20 minutes, to coin a phrase (I’m in a phrase coining kind of mood) my friend Amy Batchelor uses, “the bloom on that flower faded,” or something to that effect, but she says it better. In hindsight, we should have gone out of the city and visited the windmills and flower markets in the countryside where the spring tulip market becomes the summer gladiola market. Should have, could have, would have…but didn’t.

Visiting the Sunday antique market located in one of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam called the Waag (The Weigh House) in Niewumarkt Square – this is essentially a flea market that only occurs on Sundays during the warmer months…not the best use of our day.

As for the questionable moral activities and illicit substance use…we encountered very little evidence of these activities, which defame this beautiful city; however on the one occasion where a group of very wasted individuals got on board our canal bus…the entire group were from my own country…. I was so ashamed.

Our hotel, the Hotel Pulitzer due to everything but its fabulous location.

Largest disappointment, not seeing Queen Beatrix in full regalia riding her bicycle.