Anniversary in Amsterdam

For many years we have had two anniversaries: The Anniversary, August 10, the day we were married, and more importantly, The Anniversary (Observed), the day, or weekend, or week, that we actually get to spend a few minutes together rediscovering why we got married in the first place. This year we spent our Anniversary (Observed) in Amsterdam. And we learned alot. We do still love each other, we do still like each other, we don't particularly love Van Gogh, Dutch candy is awful, raw herring has too may bones but a curiously appealing texture, and we are very sheltered. I am ready to start the scantily clad, chain smoking, window sitting, what am I doing with my life?, you do have other options, prostitute rescue mission. Dave, face pointing the other direction, said he would have to sit that one out. There is nothing like crusing a canal at twilight to bring out the romance of a place, and Amsterdam really glows at dusk. The water takes on an almost natural blue tint, contrary to its daily greenish brown, and the house boat inhabitants come out onto their decks to drink, laugh, and ignore the tourists. The houses feel more real, the churches benefit from the misty glow, and the counter-culture are all busy doing their counter-culture thing.

I love the markets in Europe--each city seems to have its own theme and specialty. Amsterdam of course is flowers, and tulips reign supreme. THIS is the place to get tulip bulbs. We also found the flea market (of course) which was an amazing jumble of african masks, indian fabrics, bicycle parts, produce, second hand clothing, counter-culture necessities, bad paintings, bizarre shoes, and general miscellany. David and I stopped to dig through bins of pocketknives and sewing scissors and we both found a treasure.

Rick Steves said that you really must try the raw herring sandwiches, and being of generally obedient natures, we did. Besides, we had a coupon. So now we can say we did it and we got a pretty healthy dose of Omega-3 in the bargin.