Europe is on; after nearly 8,000km of flying today and yesterday we arrived in Amsterdam at sunrise (about 8am) today. It’s October, so not surprisingly we were greated by overcast conditions, a bit of light rain, and temperature of 8C.
Items of note for the day: for what it’s worth, Schiphol (the airport) is pretty nice as far as airports go; trains from the airport to town are pretty easy to deal with; if you’re male you can relieve your self at a handy open air urinal at the central train station; parts of old-town Amsterdam is visually overloading what with all the small shops; Amsterdam before 11am on a Saturday is like a ghost-town; bikes are everywhere, and finally, there are a lot of English speakers here – this is great news for us language-lacking types.
The following photos generally follow our walk from the central train station to our accommodation and any diversions involved in getting there.
I’m posting this at about 7:30pm Amsterdam time.
Part of the central train station in Amsterdam; a good starting point for public transit within town.
A bit more detail of on a portion of the central train station in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam has canals, who knew? Just kidding, isn't Amsterdam somewhat famous for its canals.
Lisa in Amsterdam and road work in what appears to be one of the party strips in the city.
Amsterdam store front and a fitting visual for how we felt after getting off the plane this morning.
Amsterdam old-town street; high density.
Another Amsterdam canal while looking south. Sorry, no landmark names to report on.
Raamgracht Street and canal near where we are staying.
Apparently the fair is in town and occupying a good chunk of real-estate near Madam Tussaude's gallery.
Michelle at the Saturday market in Nieuwmarkt; we were looking for some food for the week/night.
Saturday market in Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam. Surprisingly fresh looking goodies including seafood, veggies, bread, olives, fresh made crepes, etc.
Crepes to go (chocolate, stroop, and other flavours) at the Saturday market in Nieuwmarkt in old town Amsterdam.
Want mushrooms?
Not too shabby looking veggies. Not sure how local it is.
One of the veggie stands a the Saturday market.
Another Saturday market veggie stand with some interesting architecture in the background.
Amsterdam bike tour going by near the Saturday market.
Yay Amsterdam! I will try to get Kris in a photo for the next post…. if he will give the camera up
I am officially living vicariously through you
T is wondering why we are in your car and you are not. She says…”auntie in amsterdamster?…uncle too?)
The komkommers look delicious!
Woww! You are really in Amsterdam in October. That is not a movie set. Looks like a suitably damp day but the veggies look brilliant and the “crepes-to-go” look better. Diji
Veggie shots look colorful. J wondering how expensive the beets are. If you need help with Dutch I can help you with one choice on the sign- “Cherry Tomaten”, otherwise your’e on your own! Glad you arrived in Amsterdam and didn’t “overshoot” the airport like the flight in Minneapolis. Phtos and comments so far are great.
Sorry J, didn’t notice how much the beets were.
In 1972 when we were backpacking and Eurorailing through Europe, we stopped in Amsterdam and later left with a wheel of Gouda and three pair of wooden shoes. We also saw where they grow those veggies; out of town on little cottage lots with shed/houses and neat and tidy gardens. We also had an East Indian meal at a restaurant in the city. Great adventures you two.