Welcome to Pink Saturday...doesn't it seem like before you can blink, it's Saturday again! The weeks are speeding by for me. How about you?
YOU'VE GOT TO LOVE AMSTERDAM!!! What can I say, it's enchanting.
The beautiful canals:
The flower markets:
The architecture:
The fact that almost everybody either walks or rides a bicycle. They even have "buckets" or "buggies" on the front of them so they can carry their children.
The mom in the above picture is not walking, she's riding a bike!
The cute Dutch names they have for their businesses:
One of many town squares where people gather, catch the trolley or if you're lucky - you might see a performance or two:
Not to worry, I have PINK:
A PINK boat floating down the canal:
Plenty of PINK bicycles:
I definitely would have a PINK bike if I lived there.
A PINK scooter:
We did notice that most (almost all) people did not wear helmets while riding bikes or scooters. For all you mothers with babies and small children - note the children are not in car seats! I guess with their laid back lifestyle and lack of a lot of cars and trucks, they don't necessarily need them.
A PINK cone sign on an ice cream shop:
A beautiful calliope that was playing in the streets:
Ashley showing off her PINK tights - LOL:
While in Amsterdam, we visited Anne Frank's Huis (house). It was a moving, heart-wrenching experience. Need I say more?
You aren't allowed to take pictures inside so we took one outside. Note the smile on Ashley's face - this was taken before we entered - the photo would have been entirely different afterwards.
She was wearing a PINK scarf!
This is the church that sadly could have been seen outside their "secret annex" if only they didn't have to cover the windows:
After the tour, we decided that we needed a little cheering up. So, what is better than POFFERTJES!
These are described as "little Dutch pancakes with butter and icing sugar". Icing sugar is what they call our powdered sugar. I describe them as "a little piece of heaven with really scrumptious butter and icing sugar that you will be wearing later as a few extra pounds". It was well worth it!
As I said before, I love Amsterdam. I believe that even though it seems to be a little "old country" by our American standards, they are very much a head of us. By this I mean things are just out there. Are you confused? The drinking age is, well I'm not quite sure of the exact age but I would like to say BIRTH, as it is in most European countries. Also, marijuana is legal and although they don't flaunt their sexuality it is not hidden...it's just part of life. I am not on a soap-box for changing everything but I feel as if we didn't have so many "NO'S", things might not be so abused in America. If having a drink of wine at dinner was okay here, maybe teenagers wouldn't try to sneak alcohol so they could get drunk..it wouldn't be a big deal. If marijuana was legal maybe the drug problem wouldn't be so bad. At least those who needed it for medicinal purposes would be able to get it. If we didn't make such a big deal about hiding our sexuality, the human body and talking to our children about sex maybe, just maybe children and young adults wouldn't laugh and giggle nervously when it is brought up - they would grow up with acceptance.
This is all just a thought. I hope I have not offended anyone and you will return to my blog. I just thought it was a little something to make you go....Hmmmmmmm.
One thing I did not care for was the public urinals in the town square and the fact that I had to pay 40 cents to use a bathroom. Seems kind of sexist, don't you think?? lol
They do use them - quite often - four at a time!!!!
Another funny thing we saw was on a door of a Chinese restaurant that was closed for the day:
The next day, the sign said "WOK ON". Sadly, I didn't have my camera with me.
Please don't forget to visit the lovely Beverly to visit all the other PINK participants. One of my favorites that you might enjoy all the way around the world is Li at mythoughtsmyvoice.wordpress.com - you'll be glad you did!
Have a wonderful day and a better tomorrow!
xoxoxoxoxox
Caren
.
.
.
