My last weekend in Europe was a great success and I could not think of anyone better to have spent it with than Adrian. We decided to spend our last weekend in Amsterdam the famous city in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is the Capital of the Netherlands and a notorious city known for its legal marijuana and Red Light District. What many do not realize though, is that there is so much more to Amsterdam than just that. Amsterdam was one of the most beautiful and lively cities I have seen in Europe. Despite the morning downpour of rain, everything else about Amsterdam was gorgeous. The city has so much history as a result of World War II and it is interesting to compare where the city has been and where it is now. Adrian and I had such a lovely day in Amsterdam.
About twenty or so St. John's students took a Megabus overnight bus from Paris to Amsterdam. The trip was about eight and a half hours and of course riding with Megabus is always an adventure! It is a brand new service in Europe, less than a month old. I had fallen asleep about two hours into the journey and was awoken a few hours later to a screaming and belligerent British man. He was insisting the bus driver, "Open the f***ing bus door!" because the bus was "eleven hours late!" He was clearly heavily intoxicated and the screaming went on for about twenty minutes. I have never witnessed someone curse or yell so loud in my entire life!!! We had a stop in Brussels, Belgium (the Capital of the European Union!) and our Bus Driver let out the crazy man there. Our driver then proceeded to apologize profusely for the mans ridiculous behavior. I felt sorry for our driver, not only was he being screamed at by a crazy drunk man at 4am , but he was also driving in the pouring rain and wind. Even so, we arrived to Amsterdam around 7am, just about twenty minutes late.
When we arrived to Amsterdam the rain storm was in full swing. I could barely stand up straight the wind was so strong and the rain was coming in sideways. Before we even got to the city center, both Adrian and I had soaking wet socks right through our sneakers. We made the best of it though, bought an umbrella and we were ready to tackle the day!
A few girls on the trip had been to Amsterdam before so Adrian and I tagged along with them for the beginning of the morning. We decided to start off the day by taking the free ferry to see the famous, "I Amsterdam" sign. In hindsight, we probably should have just waited for the rain to stop!! It really started coming down on us when we were at the sign, but we snapped a few quick pictures in order to catch the next ferry right in time.
Afterwards, we decided to head towards the Anne Frank house because rumor had it the line is astronomical even early in the morning. We walked along the canals and they were so beautiful. The canals were built in the 17th Century and there are over 100 kilometers worth of canals throughout the city. People actually have boats that were converted into houses and they live right on the canals!!! In one of the boat houses I saw a cat laying on a windowsill looking out at the water. Throughout the day many tour boats floated up and down the canals. A lot of various restaurants and businesses were located right on the canals too...including the Hardrock Cafe! Amsterdam's canals are so famous that the city has been nicknamed the "Venice of the North."
Some of the houses overlooking the canals were built in the 1600's. They were all so pretty and quaint. In fact, Anne Frank lived right on a canal during her time in hiding.There were also some large Victorian style homes that I was considering buying right then and there.
After about a twenty minute walk we made it to the Anne Frank house. Despite the rain and cold temperatures, even at 9:01am (museum opens at 9:00am) the line was already wrapping all around the building. In fact, the line was so long and is apparently so long every day... they offer free WiFi while waiting in line!! After about thirty minutes we were admitted into Anne Frank's hiding house and now converted museum.
It cost nine Euro to tour the house and I found that every single museum in Amsterdam costs at least nine Euro. Anne Frank's house was actually the cheapest Museum we could find in Amsterdam. The Van Gogh Museum was fourteen Euro. Adrian and I decided to opt out of museums after the Anne Frank house because of that. The Anne Frank house was definitely worth it though. I am saddened to report I was not allowed to take any pictures inside the museum, nor was I allowed to even pull my phone out to take notes on what I was seeing. I do remember a lot though so I will do my best to explain.
The Frank's; Anne, her sister Margot, father and mother were German Jew's. They were aware the life for Jews in Germany was quickly becoming a scary one and decided to move to Amsterdam when Anne Frank, the youngest of the two sisters, was just four years old. Anne began attending school in Amsterdam. Eventually, the Germans took over Amsterdam and once again the lives of all the Jews in Amsterdam were at risk. Restrictions and rules for Jews began and things looked only like they were going to get worse. Otto Frank, Anne's father, tried to figure out ways to flee Amsterdam to safe havens such as Australia or the United States. In one of the displays in the home Otto is quoted saying that the only place in the world that seemed same for his Jewish family was the United States. Unfortunately, he found it nearly impossible to get there.
Eventually, Otto had to make the choice whether or not to wait for the Nazi's to capture him and his family, as they had seen Jewish families in Amsterdam wiped out left and right, or he could go into hiding with his family. He chose to go into hiding with his family and business partner who was also a Jew.
Over the time in "The Secret Annex" the name coined for the place Anne and her family lived had eight occupants in total. They were hidden by employees of Otto's business who agreed to help the families out. When Anne and her family were found hiding, the two most influential non-Jews that were hiding them were captured as well.
Anne was thirteen at the time they went into hiding. It was very difficult for her to adjust to this life. She often felt trapped having been ripped away from her school, friends and lifestyle. She was not allowed to go outside ever and during the day was not allowed to even speak. Anne, an aspiring author and journalist, even at the age of thirteen, wrote a diary to get a lot of feelings off of her chest. The diary was kept safe after the Frank family and the other inhabitants of 'The Secret Annex" were found by the Nazi soldiers and sent to concentration camps. All of the Frank's died except for Otto, the father. Anne died just a month before the camp was liberated, she was unaware of the fact her father was still alive and at the time of her death was under the impression she was the only survivor of her family. When Otto was given Anne's diary after the war was over he was so surprised. He did not realize the intellect and deepness of his young daughter. He immediately went to a publisher with the book. He thought it was extremely important the world know what his family went through at the hands of Hitler and the Nazi's.
"The Secret Annex" where the Frank's hid was located on the upper floor of a home. The secret door leading to the Annex was covered by a book shelf and even someone my height had to duck to get inside. It was very tight corridors and I could not imagine being up there all the time. It was heartbreaking to see what these poor families had to go through.
Anne's room was one of the most heartbreaking for myself. She had cut out pictures from magazines and books and posted them all over her walls. She wrote in her diary about how she needed to brighten up the room and the pictures really helped. Throughout the entire house lines from Anne's diary were written on the wall. They were written in both Dutch and English. Nearly everyone in Amsterdam speaks English along with Dutch.
I personally have never read her diary. I was astonished with how deep this young girl was. It was as if she truly understood what was going on in her world and she knew how unfair she was being treated, just because she was a Jew.
I was able to see all of the bedrooms of those in hiding, the small kitchen, extremely small bathroom and so on. I also got to see marks on the walls of Margot and Anne's height from the time they started to go into hiding until the time they were forced out. I also saw Anne's actual diary, notes from her other writings (short stories), notes from Otto Frank, letters and other family relics were also on display. There was an entire room dedicated to Otto Frank. He explained his time in a Concentration Camp, finding Anne's diary, learning his entire family had been killed and trying to move on with his life. I watched a movie of him speaking and I got teary eyed. His heartbreak is enormous.
I did a little research and was able to find a virtual tour of "The Secret Annex" where Anne Frank hid from the Nazi's with her family and some history about them as well. Click on the link below to learn more and see some pictures:
Anne Frank House
Throughout my time in Europe I have learned so much about World War II. It amazes me the way that war changed the entire world. Anne Frank's house was another look into World War II and what is must have been like to be a Jew during that time period. Anne Frank was truly a brave and strong little girl. I think she really is an inspiration for young girls everywhere. I am very thankful I had the ability to see her hiding house and get a little more insight into her life.
After spending a lot of time touring the Anne Frank house Adrian and I decided to go get some Brunch because we were getting very hungry. Everyone suggested we go get an authentic Netherlands brunch which meant we go to a pancake or waffle house! We found a place walking back from Anne's house and we settled on, "Sara's Pancakehouse" a quaint little restaurant. Adrian and I both ordered the, "American Breakfast" consisting of eggs, bacon, pancakes, a coffee and an orange juice. It was nothing like the Halfmoon Diner back home...but it was still pretty good!
Adrian and I sat at the restaurant awhile because we were both soaking wet and very cold!! We waited for the rain to calm down before we ventured back outside. Next we were headed to "Dam Square" a famous square in Amsterdam. In was Queens Day in Amsterdam in honor of the Queens birthday so there was a bunch of carnivals going on! Adrian and I spent a whole lot of time at the carnival in Dam Square walking around and people watching. The rain finally stopped and even though it was a little cloudy we had a blast. We couldn't stop laughing at the screaming people on the various rides.
Located behind the carnival is a large building with a green dome at its top. That is Amsterdam's Royal Palace.
Within Dam Square, next to the Carnival, is a famous World War II monument made in 1956. It commemorates all those that lost their lives.
I found it very interesting Amsterdam has a large family population. Though the city is extremely safe, the fact the sex and drug industry in Amsterdam is so large, it is really peculiar so many young families choose Amsterdam to reside in. In fact, Adrian and I walked right through the Red Light District not even realizing it was the Red Light District as first because there was young families with little children walking there too. Also, we were right next to a huge church. Yes, parts of the Red Light District are right next to Churches!! Amsterdam has a lot of beautiful Churches, but oddly enough some of them actually have been converted to shopping centers or places where vendors set up shop.
On anther note, not a single time I was in Amsterdam did I not feel safe. Everything was so clean and beautiful, the people were friendly, the food was great and everything was extremely modern. It definitely seems like a very care free life in Amsterdam. The beauty of Amsterdam was my favorite. Before Adrian and I knew the Van Gogh Museum was fourteen Euro we decided to head over and see it. When we found out it was so expensive we just wondered around instead. The surrounding area by the museum is breathtaking...I think the pictures will speak for themselves!
Van Gogh Museum and house next door to the Museum
Right by the Van Gogh museum was also another "I Amsterdam" sign. This one was located in front of the famous, "Rijkmuseum" and it overlooked a man made pool of water. The entire area was just so beautiful...I do not know how else to explain it.
I almost forgot to mention! On our way to the Van Gogh museum Adrian and I walked by a stand giving out free Fanta! I had just been thinking about how thirsty I was. We both enjoyed our Zero Cal Fanta together!
After walking around the Van Gogh museum Adrian and I explored the little streets of Amsterdam. We walked through nearly every souvenir shop in town just curiously browsing. They definitely market a lot on their marijuana industry. I do not want to get to into it because I know the topic tends to be a controversial one...not just for tourists, but for those in the Netherlands as well. Every single souvenir shop is filled with things like pot themed shot glasses, seeds to grow your own plants, actual pot cookies and brownies. They surely embrace the industry. Also, weed in Amsterdam is not referred to as a drug. Many of the coffee shops that sell weed or allow smoking inside have signs on the door that say, "No Cigarettes" or "No Drugs", but weed was welcomed. I found this very interesting.
The rain started to come down again pretty hard so Adrian and I grabbed a bite to eat at Burger King and waited it out for a little while. After the rain passed we continued exploring the city until our 11pm bus. Adrian and I really wanted to see what the Red Light District was like at night. Basically, just imagine a massive college party and that was it. It really was nothing special or something to go crazy about. Of course, you would never see women legally selling their bodies from a window in the United States, but that is just part of the culture here. As a feminist, I personally cannot stand it, but if women are going to sell their bodies for money, the way Amsterdam does it may be a better system then the underground system the US has. There are no third parties allowed in prostitution in Amsterdam. I mentioned this in my Blog post about Berlin. Prostitution can be legal because women agree to sell their bodies and they profit entirely, not a pimp or someone forcing them to do it. I also learned, while visiting the Red Light District, that it is called the Red Light District because the lights are actually red and that is how you know you are about to enter into that part of the city. A huge part of Amsterdam consists of the Red Light District. Once again, I never felt unsafe or uncomfortable. The Red Light District was more humorous than anything. It was definitely a different feel than in Berlin where I often times felt uncomfortable or unsafe. The people of Amsterdam really embrace their culture and love where they come from.
Adrian and I had a really nice day exploring Amsterdam and it is one of the nicest cities I have seen in Europe. I would love to come back to Amsterdam one day and bring my family. When people think of Amsterdam they think of the movie Eurotrip or Hostel, the Red Light District or the fact Marijuana is Legal (well, at least for tourists its only legal for another week!), but there is SOOOOOOO much more to Amsterdam. The history and architecture Amsterdam possesses I found fascinating. This city was so greatly impacted by World War II yet that is rarely noted. While walking through the Anne Frank house Adrian and I both turned to each other and said "I wish my parents were here." It's true, I knew my parents would have loved that. I have never been anywhere in Europe or the United States quite like Amsterdam.
When 11pm rolled around Adrian and I were back to Paris! It was a long bus ride and when we got back to Paris the Metro's were basically all closed. We had to wait awhile for them to open, but by 8am we were finally back on campus. I went to sleep for a few more hours, absolutely exhausted...but made sure I was up in time to write this Blog and to start my homework...finals week is here as of tomorrow!!!
Well, thank you for reading. I hope this Blog post was not too controversial. I know Amsterdam is a very controversial city, especially for parents of teenagers, but I hope some people may see the city slightly different now.
Have a great work week! I hope I will have time to Blog before my Europe Trip has come to an end. A week from today I will be in my house in Upstate New York. Crazy right? I am so excited to see my family.
XOXO
Shann
