smartgrrrl's guide to stuff

(In which I engage in touristy activities)

Today’s game plan: Anne Frank Huis, followed by Joods Historisch Museum.

I’m not really a big museum-goer. I’m usually uninspired, even if the art or artifacts are cool. My reactions are usually like “Huh. That’s neato. Next?”

Went to JHM first because the line for AFH was too long.

@ JHM this place is amazing. Was not expecting emotional reaction. All this stuff is so OLD, and it survived…I don’t know. It’s affecting me.

Part of a megillah (Book of Esther)

[JHM is set up in two parts: Jews in Amsterdam from 1600-1900, and then from 1900-present. The early part features prominent Dutch Jews like Baruch Spinoza (who was like the first secular Jew, identifying with the culture but not practicing the religion) and the Lopes Suasso family, bankers to William of Orange. Exhibit makes the claim that William wouldn't have made it to England without their help. That's pretty cool.

The 1900-present part of the exhibit is set up really well. There's so much STUFF, mostly from WWII (natch), that there's no room for placards for everything. So instead, there are computer screens set up at various places, with sections of the exhibit on display, and you touch an object on the screen to get the information. And this way you get more info about it than you would from a placard. Nicely done, JHM.]

Am now in the Portuguese Synagogue, built in the latter part of the 17th century. Europe really is where the history comes from. (cf.)

This place is gorgeous, and completely intact. How the hell did it survive WWII?

Inside the synagogue

Popped over to the Hermitage, since I’m in the neighborhood. The main exhibit is on the 19th century Russian court.

Ooh, textiles! Fancy dresses and hats and parasols and shoes and fans on display. Neato.

I think I would’ve liked to have been a fan maker. A maker of fans.

Walking from old Jewish quarter to the Anne Frank house now. Seem to be traveling through the Coffeehouse District.

I AM SO TIRED OF THE SMELL OF POT. And I’m starting to get irrationally outraged at seeing wasted people lying on the ground at the national monument. DUDES. GET A FUCKING LIFE.

Also dismayed at the tourist industry that supports this with t-shirts saying “My friends told me I went to Amsterdam but I don’t remember any of it” or something like that. Douche shirt!

In line for AFH. OH: “She hid, all the way up in the attic. In a secret room. They made a movie out of it and everything.”

In Anne Frank’s room. In the midst of all the photographs of movie stars and other famous people she tacked up to her wall is one of a chimpanzee tea party. I love Anne Frank.

Am now at same cafe we went to on my first day, just right around the corner from AFH. Enjoying a Beerenberg and people watching.

I so very much want to be on a boat.

I may be in my cups right now. What an odd expression.

Ferry to North Amsterdam! I am now on a boat. Not quite what I had in mind but I’ll take it.

Dinner at Cafe Noorderlicht. Creative interpretative of lamb tagine. But hearty.

The view from Cafe Noorderlicht

This is pretty bad wine. But what the hey, I’m in Amsterdam. Yes, let’s get another bottle.

(I’m almost done. Days 4-5 will be consolidated.)

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