Final Days in Holland

I'm posting now from Amsterdam, just in time for us to pack up and move again as we head to Oslo in the morning. Evidence of our time in Amsterdam follows - starting with this astounding illustration of both the age of these lovely canals and homes (this house is probably dating from the mid-1600s or early 1700s) and the unstable footing on which they are built. Note the lean on this place. This is not uncommon around town. Some homes actually lean both out towards the canals (intentional, so when they use the cranes, which they all have on their roofs to haul goods up to the top stories, they don't hit the facade) and to the side (not at all intentional).

But before I show you any more of Amsterdam, let me tell you what we did this past week. Jack was very busy as he was attending his FabLab (www.fab6.nl) conference from Sunday night on. I'm sure he'll share more about that at a later date. Samuel and I, however, were quite relaxed. We tried to keep a regular nap schedule - even if that meant napping on the train (and yes, that is a Starbucks americano - nothing like the taste of home!).

Primarily, we just did what Samuel wanted to do -- played in the parks, chasing dogs and pointing at bicycles and buses (both of which Utrecht has LOTS of). Just a quick note to establish setting for our two week stay in Utrecht - this shot is taken on an actual "walk" from the Hesselink's house - so you know it can't be very far from their front door. Lovely, eh?

We found a delightful playground a quick bike ride from the house (in Wilhemina Park), which we frequented.
And when Jack was home from the conference, he and Samuel tried to read the Dutch paper together...apparently with great success.
We were treated to Henriette's delicious meals. Samuel, in particular, loved her cooking. Here he is feasting on a dessert prepared just for him - all the yogurt and berries a little boy could want (and smear all over his face).
We did have a couple of outings, which were not recorded as Jack had the camera. A nice bike ride and visit with the butterflies at the Botanical Garden; an afternoon spent strolling around Amersfoort (which is about 25 km northeast of Utrecht); and several shopping excursions in the center of Utrecht (Samuel needed shoes...and skinny red jeans, apparently - which we have yet to capture digitally..we're working on it).

On Thursday we migrated to Amsterdam to allow Jack two nights in the city to more fully engage in the conference. Canals and houseboats below.

Adorable wee bakfiets for the kids. I guess they can bike their dolls around? I don't know that I'd want to see one small child cycling another small child around in one of these things.

And evidence of our tasty meals - below was Thursday night when we dined on mussels and frites (and about five different mayonnaise sauces). Behind is the Waag building (dating from the 15th century I think, where Jack's conference was being held). He'll elaborate I'm sure.

Here is what was left of our dinner tonight after we enjoyed grilled fish, bibb lettuce salad, rose and a local beer.
Samuel loved his dinner - spaghetti and beets - but was a bit daunted by the crazy high chair provided us by the restaurant. It weighed a ton and clearly wasn't designed by someone who has kids.
One more food shot, just because it is super cool - this was a member of the catering staff at the Thursday night reception for Jack's conference. He was shucking oysters on the spot for you. He had all his buckets attached via a belt, a chain mail glove and his knife in a holster. Why have I never seen a caterer provide this service before?
Anyway, we're staying at the Lloyd Hotel - highly recommended for anyone who visits - which is an old prison right on the water east of the central station. And lucky for us also right smack dab in the middle of the huge Tall Ships festival being held here this weekend. While this shot was not taken from our hotel room window it could have been. I'm not sure of the exact history of the boat, but it is now serving as a pirate ship for the kids whose parents are crazy enough to wait in a long, long line and take them across the water for some pirate fun. Arrrrr....

This is Norway's contribution to the Tall Ship celebration. Certainly one of the largest boats parked along the pier...and one of the loveliest. And of course, Haakon (Jack's host up in the Arctic in Norway), who I have now met at the conference, told me this morning that he is good friends with the Captain so last night after dinner at a nearby restaurant he and his wife had champagne on the deck. How nice for him!
This is a good example of one of the hundreds of boats (of all sizes) that are making their way around the harbor (in a very orderly fashion) to view the Tall Ships. This boat design is also very common throughout the Netherlands - they are essentially flat bottomed boats built like a barge, but meant for sailing when the time is right.
Of course, with any big festival comes the program of arts and entertainment. As we are oh so lucky, our hotel room is not only overlooking the water and the boats, but also the stage for the local bands. The image below gives you a visual representation of the quality of the music we are enjoying from about noon to 10PM. :) It is made up for by the awesome display of fireworks I've enjoyed out the window at 10:15 each night. Tonight's was apparently the largest fireworks display ever seen in Holland! Now...on to Oslo.