Day Two in Amsterdam

Today started out with an 11:00 AM wake-up. After a lazy morning with the kids and Leslie, I set out for downtown Amsterdam via the 51 Metro to visit the Hermitage Museum. I got on the wrong train and got very lost upon exiting the Metro. In angst, I almost abandoned the plan for the museum visit to spend a few hours in a coffee shop rather than continue to wander around lost holding several maps. But, I had a Eureka moment and found the Amstel River and from there found the Hermitage only to find......a very long line to get inside the museum! I was shocked that people would be waiting in such a long line in the freezing weather at 2:30 PM to get into a museum that closes at 5:00! I made it inside with freezing feet being the only sign of being worse for the wear after standing in line outside for 45 minutes.

The Hermitage is a first rate museum contained in a 350 year old building. It is an extension of the Hermitage Museum Saint Petersburg and is filled with art and artifacts from the days of Russian royalty.After leaving the museum, I walked around and enjoyed the sites, particularly the bridges. Then I did a bit of retailing at de Bijenkorf then made my way back to Runmoolen 30 and taco dinner, trip planning, and card games. We enjoyed the rest of the wine that the Continental flight attendant sent home with us. We were treated to snow that began falling this evening and continues to fall.

Walking Roxie in Amstelveen

The Hermitage Museum and the long line to get in even at 3:00

Bridges of Amsterdam

Snow

Wheels Down AMS

My travels started with a flight from MSY to IAH on Sunday, December 27th. Many people told me to arrive at the airport early due to the recent scares on the Delta flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. However, there was no line at security and things seemed to be same as usual.

I had an easy flight to Houston, where I met up with my brother Rick, his wife Leslie, and their two kids - David and Ann Marie - for lunch at Papadeaux. While waiting for our flight to Amsterdam, we randomly ran into cousin Audrey Meyn who was on a layer for her travels from Philly back to New Orleans. The Saint's loss to the Buccaneers was a damper.

The flight from Houston to Amsterdam's Schiphol on Continental provided ample opportunity for TV watching, which I really enjoyed - Julie and Julia, The Sound of Music (watched with Ann Marie) and several episodes of the Family Guy. I didn't get any sleep but loved getting to watch all that TV. Flight attendant Jim made the trip especially fun. He remembered Leslie's birthday and provided us with wine, desserts, and other fun stuff.

Schiphol was a delight as always. Our cab was a Volkswagen van (much needed because of Rick and Leslie's 25 pieces of luggage). Our day consisted of shopping at Albert Heijn, picking up Roxie from the kennel, a very much needed four hour nap, an Israeli dinner cooked by Leslie (delicious!!!), and much playing with the kids. A phone call from Randy topped off the day. Tomorrow, after sleeping as late as I want, I will visit the Hermitage Museum in Amsterdam.