Amsterdam

We spent a few days in Amsterdam in a nice hotel overlooking a canal. Amsterdam has such a different vibe from the other cities we've visited so far it was quite fascinating and definitely a place I'd like to return to. We started at the Van Gogh Museum and the audio guide was excellent. I had done a project about Van Gogh for a French options class in college but my focus had been on his style not his life. Hearing about how his legacy was preserved by his sister in law and nephew was very moving. They also had an exhibit about the Roulins who were a family of 5 that befriended Vincent when he lived in Arles. The excerpts from letters from Mr Roulin to Vincent's brother Theo were exceptionally moving. It rained a fair bit in Amsterdam so I had to be creative getting us inside. We went to the Barbie Experience which had life size Barbie displays from different decades. It was such a silly thing to do but we all laughed and had so much fun. Then the Rijk's museum - there I booked a family quest which involved using tablets to solve clues throughout the museum. It was a big hit with the girls. Then we tried FoodHallen and Evi was in her element - hovering near tables to grab one as soon as something was free...and getting all the food to try. We also went to a 4D screening of a film and experience about the beauty of Holland and learned what a lot of the windmills are for. It was a good science subject! Then we went on a canal cruise and finally went Anne Frank House. It was very moving to walk in her footsteps and the optimistic girl writing her diary was very real in that space. They also had some videos of her father and some of the helpers who successfully hid them for 2 years. These were very sad to watch but such an important reminder of the Holocaust and it's effect on those who died but also those who lived. Italy is next for a month or so - very exciting to go to a new country!