Getting to know more about Amsterdam

There are coffee shops in Amsterdam and then again there are "coffee shops" in Amsterdam. As many of you know, Norman loves coffee. So during this week in Amsterdam we frequented a number of coffee shops. One of the best was the White Label Coffee. 

Check out their menu.

Steaming Beans in the 9 street neighbourhood claimed to be a Trip Advisor winner. Their presentation of coffee was quite specific! No cream allowed, not to drink the coffee until it slightly cooled. The tea must be timed exactly. It was good but....

The other coffee shops we just didn't have time to visit. Kate promised to help me with checking them out, next time. You can tell these coffee shops by the signage and of course the aroma of their products. This one was near our hotel.

Here you find happiness!

We settled for gelato. It was delicious! 

The other exciting activity was the return of Kate's back pack. 

Amazingly it traveled to Toronto for its own 10 day holiday. 

For our last day in Amsterdam Norm wanted to visit his mother's old neighbour, Tweede Nassaustraat. The place has changed since the 1920's but you can still appreciate what it might have been like back then.

We walked to Westerpark near by, where lots of festivals are held. 

The Gas Fabriek was used to produce gas for domestic use and today the buildings still remain.

The park has great outdoor spaces also.

Next we caught a free ferry across the IJ (the water) to north Amsterdam.

Aa usual Norm always finds interesting sites along the way. We passed the industrial sector of Amsterdam, probably not seen by most tourists, finally catching another free ferry back to Centraal Station.

We did all this in time for brunch with 14 of us from the wedding group at 1. A great way to finish off the weekend celebration. And delicious too.

A final note about our accommodations. The school hotel was a perfect place to stay, out of the tourist area and close to Duncan and Rebecca's. Service was good although not always fast. The free breakfast was perfect especially for us who love yogurt, fruit and muesli. But lots of bacon, ham, cheese and pastries for those who want more. 

And our room.....

Today we said goodbye to Kate, Holland, Karen, Duncan and Rebecca. We will see Kate and Rebecca at the end of May when we are back to fly home. 

And hello to Kees and Dineke in Nijmegen. A new adventure begins...... Started with a wild rain storm. So glad we were indoors. Sun shine predicted for tomorrow. 

Wedding Day

The sun decided not to shine on Sunday. But the day was perfect! Instead of an outdoor ceremony in the park, the wedding was held in the restaurant, La Cantinetta. 

We started the celebration at Duncan and Rebecca's with drinks and snacks. Note the cool window decorations.

All dressed up.

Kathy, Rebecca's aunt wearing a dress she had altered that belonged to Rebecca's grandmother, bought in Tehran 50 years ago.

Looking classy.

Mother and daughter....

And more..

Even the dogs had their bow ties on.

Holland looking elegant

And now off to the wedding. Some of us walked, meeting Kees and Dineke along the way, our cousins from Nijmegen. 

And now the wedding. I (and others too) went through at least two tissues during the ceremony. It was beautiful, honest, emotional and romantic. Duncan and Rebecca asked two people to speak on their behalf, Norman and Aunt Kathy. Both gave touching speeches of how these two wonderful people came to be, where they are today and offered wishes and happiness for the future.

The lovely couple.

Duncan and Rebecca then said vows to each other. They spoke of their love, commitment, friendship, sense of adventure, family, and so much more. It was beautiful and very emotional. We felt proud and honoured to be able to share it with them. 

Then for the next four hours we ate and ate. The food was incredible. All homemade from these Italian chefs. We started with salumi, cheese, olives and pizza Bianca. All mouthwatering. Followed by three different servings of pasta, all homemade. Pasta with spices and olive oil. Next a tube pasta with cheese and a tomato sauce and the final dish was a wider noodle with a lamb tomato sauce. My descriptions do not do them justice. Salad also included. Dessert was an individual lemon pudding but nothing like your normal pudding. Delicate soft meringue or gelato on top, layered with a lemon pudding sauce and a Rosemary cookie on the bottom. Garnish with salted almonds and a dusting of sugar. Cookies later with the coffee and tea. 

The food was so good I forgot to take photos. 

Here is the happy couple with a wedding cake surprise from the staff at La Cantinetta. 

A wonderful evening for a wonderful couple. 

Walk about Amsterdam

Friday, Mayday, seemed like the right day to do some walking in the parks, less crowded than central Amsterdam with more fresh air. Right behind our hotel is Rembrandt Park, with ponds, fields and several large sculptures.

Still in the city but a country feel. 

You can see the highrises in the background. Check the cool art sculpture along the way.

We left Rembrant Park and wander through a lovely neighbourhood along a street called Aalsmeerweg. You "gotta" love the street names! 

We managed to find an excellent cup of tea and coffee with a tiny coconut raspberry/chocolate slice included and  home made muffins, The City House.

The next park is Vondelpark, named after JP Vondel, a poet from the 1600s.

We ambled through the park which apparently was a hangout for hippies in the '60s. The park became known worldwide as an open-air dormitory with lots of soft drugs and free love. "Better long-haired than short-sighted" was the phrase of the day. And there are still a few counter-culture types in the park, although today many of them have skateboards.

Today it's green spaces, flowers and trees are a great alternative to the busy streets around. 

If you you look closely you can see a crane's nest high on a post.

Here is Mr. Vondel. 

We took a slight detour to check out a book seller hangout also from the 60s. Norm's cousin Ineke remembers spending many hours here. 

Today it seems the sellers have moved closer to the centre of town (Spui) for better traffic, at least on Fridays.

And yes Norm found some postcards there! 

Some crazy traditions with locks are found all over Europe. At least here the bridge doesn't look like it will collapse under the weight.

This church, Zuiderkerk (I think) was viewed from many angles. Norm's convinced that no clocks in Amsterdam have figured out how to show the correct time. 

To finish off our walkabout we had a beer on the terrace of the Bijenkorf, a department store that Norm's mother once worked at. Today it is very high end and expensive store. 

In the evening we gathered at Duncan and Rebecca's for games night, all 20 of us and Peanut and Blue. Fun times! 

Today Norm, Kate and I ventured back into city. The Utrechtsestraat is "hipster" area. So we checked it out. 

Coffee stop.

Unusual transport.

1614 building with serious leaning.

There are big hooks at the top of tall buildings 

-- the old canal houses and more modern apartment blocks -- for moving furniture up and down, since there are no elevators and the staircases are too steep and twisty to move much of anything.

Lunch was very delicious pannenkoeken at the Pancake House. 

Heading homeward we took Kate through the Vondelpark and Rembrant Park stopping for a necessary beer, fries and Bitterballen. 

Tonight 9 of us gathered for burgers, beer and more fries at Frits. Good thing we walk a lot with all the food we manage to consume. And tomorrow.......the Wedding. Let's pray for sunshine.