So Long Amsterdam!!

We have finished our few days in Amsterdam and are heading to the train station this morning with no idea where we are going! I think we will try to take a train that follows the Rhine river through Germany. It is supposed to be very beautiful with many castles on mountainsides and small villages along the way.
We have made a major change in our strategy as we have decided to do Europe first and head South for warmer weather. We had intended on going to the UK and Ireland first, but the weather has been rainy and cold and it makes outdoor activity rather miserable. We were going to hop a bullet train and head to Nice France, on the Mediteranian, but could not get seats. Instead we are going to train hop our way South and see what ever we can along the way. We are generally headed for Southern Italy and then on to Greece. Going where the climate suits our clothes!!

Amsterdam has been amazing and a bit overwhelming! We are both amazed by how huge it is. These tiny alleyways and narrow streets all lined with narrow tilted buildings on each side go on for ever. After one night in a hotel, we found our way to our friends - friends house and met Thomas. He has been very welcoming since before leaving the states and we have been looking forward to meeting him. The apartment is pretty sweet and is within walking distance of everything.
We set out to get tram passes and then headed for the Van Gogh museum. The weather was pretty lousy and we stood in line (in the Q as they say over here) under our umbrellas for quite awhile. The museum was nice. Apparently it has just reopened after being closed for a couple of years for renovations. We also went by Anne Franks house, but the line was so long and people have told us that it in't really much to see.

In the Q for the Van Gogh museum. It was raining and cold for the first two days. Yesterday was pretty nice though and today looks promising.

Teeny loves the whisteria and vines that grow on many of the buildings here.

My man Van Gogh!!

Yeah, I guess I would hang this on the fridge if my kid brought it home from school!

Endless sea of bicycles, everywhere.

We really enjoyed this Park. It is pretty huge and took most of the afternoon to walk from end to end. We found a bakery and got some amazing pastry.

The park had a lot of landscaped areas like this little maze of hedges.

We went for a canal cruise last night. It was narrated in about five different languages.

One of many (over 2,000 according to the cruise guide) boat houses. People live in these year round.

Another boat house. Saw quite a few that looked like this one.