WEEKEND IN AMSTERDAM

I'm tired and I need some time off! I havent't been to Amsterdam in a long time and the airfare to get there in February was a whole lot better than to go out west and visit family.

When I told my friends that I was on my way to Europe for the weekend at the coldest time of they year.....everyone thought I was crazy. Maybe I was....but here I am at the Hotel Putlitzer bar having a Heineken and looking out at the canals.

It is cold here, but not that cold. Friends at home in Florida asked why I would be leaving beautiful 80 degree weather to go to a place that is arouond 30 and wet in winter. I am rather liking this cold as we seldom see it at home. When it is cold in Florida, it is usually accompanied by a cold wind with gusts of more than 30 mph. Here it is colder, but there is no wind.

Locals are walking or biking and boats are cruising the canals that I had been told were frozen about two weeks ago. The canals never freeze except when Europe is having a specially cold winter. This winter was one of them, however with my "sunny" Florida disposition, I guess they knew to unfreeze while I am here. Too bad, as I would have loved to photograph the special phenomenon.

Today was walking day one. After two long flights and arriving at 6AM and a short nap, I am off and running....well sort of. I have to make stops every now and then to find my way on the map the hotel gave me as the canals and streets are somwhat confusing at first. Once oriented from the center and Dam Square, I can find my way anywhere in the city.

It is very beautiful, even without leaves on the trees and the winter chill. The pre-turn of the century homes that line the canals are all artfully decorated and look warm and cozy in the winter haze. I am finding that quite a few are rather crooked after having existed alongside these canals since built. They have survived two world wars and the modern stress of trolly cars and busses let alone the millions of bikes that pass by them each day. What a joy to have seen so many histories passing by their doors for so many years. If only these little houses could talk...what they could tell us about ourselves and history!

So tomorrow is day two in my weekend in Amsterdam. I'm off to the countryside on a typical tourist bus to see wooden shoes, windmills and find out how Edam cheese is made. Yum!

So glad I came....I am already enjoying.....and relaxing!