Days 8-10: Old Amsterdam Pt. 2

After the excitement of my first day in Amsterdam, the next three days had no chance of competing. It didn't help that the entirety of Northern Europe became covered by one continuous cloud which wouldn't clear for more than another week. It's amazing how quickly weather can ruin a good time :-( Still, I wasn't completely unprepared as I spent maximum time outdoors on Sunday and saved all museums and other indoor activity for what else but, a rainy day?

The Van Gogh Museum. I'm not a fan of museums in general, and of classical art museums even less. Still, there are certain sights and attractions a tourist simply has to visit when they are in the area. Otherwise people will ask you why you didn't see such-and-such when you were there, and who am I to risk social disapprobation?! The Van Gogh Museum is fairly innocuous as far as art museums go. The presentation is poor to mediocre, from the architecture to the gallery design. The collection itself, while being the single most complete collection of the artist's work, suffers from an insufferable lack of Van Gogh's most famous pieces. Still, it was interesting to see a chronological exhibition of his work which clearly shows an artistic development which followed and reflected his turbulent but passionate life. B-

The Anne Frank House. It's been almost two decades since I did, but it isn't even necessary for one to read the book. The museum itself speaks directly to you as a living testimony to one family's tragedy during the Holocaust. The experience deepens when you consider that the tale was just one of millions, most of which remain untold. The visit was a solemn and moving occasion. A-

The Heineken Experience. Okay, now this is the type of museum I like! While it no longer functions as a working brewery (or "brouwery" rather), the Heineken museum is in the site of the original brewery. The exhibits are light-hearted and easy to digest. The best part? The entrance fee includes 3 free beers - albeit they are only 10 oz. shorties - and a free gift at the end which is actually worth having (sorry you'll have to visit yourself to find out what the gift is)! A+

The Red Light District. Some may object to my categorization of the Red Light District as a museum, but what else would you call a place that displays objects of beauty behind protective glass and doesn't allow you to touch or take pictures?! Well, since you can technically purchase the works of art, I suppose it's more like a gallery than a museum. So sue me. Anyway, the Amsterdam RLD is just another tourist attraction not to be missed, as can be witnessed by the excess of tour groups stumbling around.

Love Is A Many-Seated Thing. I always enjoy seeing movies in foreign countries and to see how their movie experience differs from our own. As the rain and gloom continued, I decided to take in The Bourne Supremacy. Nothing outstanding about the theatre or movie, but the Pathé where I saw it had a very interesting feature - they sold a limited number of loveseat tickets. Yes that's right, for a mere dollar or so more, you and your loved one can cuddle together as though you were in the comfort of your own home. Just don't forget that you're actually in a public spot and get too randy. Anyway, it's an obvious feature and sheer genius really. Such a clever people, these Dutch!

So that about wraps up my Amsterdam trip. Unfortunately, I couldn't be there for a weekend, so the night life was a little lacking except for the night at Bitterzoet. Next stop, Brussels.