There we were in sin city. Some would ask why would we go to such a place where sin is rampant? For one sin is everywhere and we had no intentions to partake in their culture but because we want we have a better understanding we went. As Mandi said before, smoking pot (as I have always known it to be called) is legal in their shops and only recently have foreigners been allowed to go and partake. Either way how can we judge a culture without knowing how and why they chose to be and do what they do? I honestly had always pictured Amsterdam as Sodom and Gamora but the city seemed quite tame to me. Yes, we could smell pot on occasion but there we no one trying to sell to us, there were no drunks on the road and yes there were women selling themselves in windows (only in the red district)but they were actually wearing more than some girls I have seen in America at the pool (and yes some of the girls at the pool are selling too but much cheeper than the woman in Amsterdam). So I ask myself, a believer in Jesus the one who's love took Him to the cross, how could I so harshly judge this city? Because I have been closed minded and closed heated. Rather than make a decision about a place or person without knowing and praying I will pray and ask for wisdom (or at least try). Mandi also told me the city is trying to get a different "tag" since it seems foreigners go thinking they can do anything and make a mess. Our tour guide also reminded us how reserved the people actually are she said when at a bar once a Dutchman was making a lot of noise and another Dutchman walked over, corrected him saying "straighten up" and he did. You can never know the truth about a person or a place till you have "walked a mile in their shoes."Amsterdam was a beautiful city rainy and cold but still beautiful.
We did go to the Ann Frank museum (and sorry folks cameras were not allowed). It was a somber atmosphere. Most people were respectful during the tour and quietly went through. Either way the tour takes you thru the narrow staircases up and up even thru the fake bookcase up to the empty rooms where the eight people hid for two years. The rooms were emptied after they were captured and Otto Frank did not want the furniture re-placed as a remembrance for those who did not come home. Because Amsterdam had such good recordkeeping (thanks to Napolian's brother, temporary ruler of Amsterdam who once told the people of Amsterdam "I am you rabbit!" instead of saying "I am your king, hehe funny side note) the Natzi walked into their hall of recorded noted all the Jews and rounded them up. I honestly wanted to hear the people tried to save their Jews (like Bulgaria) but did not.
On a different note, our free walking tour guide said the funniest thing. She is from Alaska and had a boyfriend from Texas when she went to college in Oregon. Well, she went to visit him in Texas years after they broke up and she said he had to confessed to her and come out of the closet, he was a republican. I could not help but laugh but she continued on to say "it would be better if he were gay!" all I could think of was the movie The Blind Side.
We have now gone to Haag for a day and it was an OK town but very modern. It seemed the older homes and buildings have been abandoned for the modern look. There was modern art everywhere on the walkways and in front of buildings including the buildings themselves. We had lunch at a place called "The Golden Hat." it was very good and OK in price. We went to bed early since neither one of us have had a good nights sleep for a couple days. Now we will be in Brugge for four days and take a day trip to Haarlem the home of Corrie ten Boom. She and her family saved about 800 Jews during WWII and were captured. Some of the family survived the camps but most lost their lives. Corri then toured the world teaching about the love of Jesus and forgiveness (to receive and give). What an honor it will be to go visit her home.
Lots of love from Brugge,
Ana
We did go to the Ann Frank museum (and sorry folks cameras were not allowed). It was a somber atmosphere. Most people were respectful during the tour and quietly went through. Either way the tour takes you thru the narrow staircases up and up even thru the fake bookcase up to the empty rooms where the eight people hid for two years. The rooms were emptied after they were captured and Otto Frank did not want the furniture re-placed as a remembrance for those who did not come home. Because Amsterdam had such good recordkeeping (thanks to Napolian's brother, temporary ruler of Amsterdam who once told the people of Amsterdam "I am you rabbit!" instead of saying "I am your king, hehe funny side note) the Natzi walked into their hall of recorded noted all the Jews and rounded them up. I honestly wanted to hear the people tried to save their Jews (like Bulgaria) but did not.
On a different note, our free walking tour guide said the funniest thing. She is from Alaska and had a boyfriend from Texas when she went to college in Oregon. Well, she went to visit him in Texas years after they broke up and she said he had to confessed to her and come out of the closet, he was a republican. I could not help but laugh but she continued on to say "it would be better if he were gay!" all I could think of was the movie The Blind Side.
We have now gone to Haag for a day and it was an OK town but very modern. It seemed the older homes and buildings have been abandoned for the modern look. There was modern art everywhere on the walkways and in front of buildings including the buildings themselves. We had lunch at a place called "The Golden Hat." it was very good and OK in price. We went to bed early since neither one of us have had a good nights sleep for a couple days. Now we will be in Brugge for four days and take a day trip to Haarlem the home of Corrie ten Boom. She and her family saved about 800 Jews during WWII and were captured. Some of the family survived the camps but most lost their lives. Corri then toured the world teaching about the love of Jesus and forgiveness (to receive and give). What an honor it will be to go visit her home.
Lots of love from Brugge,
Ana
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