Two days in Amsterdam

I think I read once that people from the Netherlands are some of the happiest people in the world. I don't know what it is about Amsterdam, but it does put a smile on my face.  It is urban, a little dirty, busy, but beautiful at the same time.  Walking along the canals and cobbled streets is a soothing experience, but at the same time you have to always be on alert for all the bicycles.  It is busy, but not unbearable.  People are pleasant and helpful and seem not to mind that you can't speak a lick of Dutch! The food is good, the architecture fascinating and the museums are top notch.  I hope I get back to this wonderful city, just to eat pancakes again!

 Walking along the canals in the Jordaan District, note the garden on top of the houseboat.

 Rembrandt's famous painting, the Night Watch at the Rijksmuseum

 The Merry Family by Jan Steen

 Loved this painting, but now I can't remember who painted it.

 Evening lights on a canal

 Cheese!  We went in and sampled many cheeses..

Cannabis Starter Kit in a Can....Geoff looks happy to me!

 Or what about a tulip in a can?
At the Flower Market in Amsterdam.

 Geoff and Rick had a giggle over the Magic Mushroom store.

 The bulbs were huge.  This is a Amaryllis bulb the size of Rick's hand.

 We saw evidence of "football" everywhere.

 And in Dam Square, beach volleyball tournament

 Drinks and dinner by a canal

 Geoff and Linda Crouch

 a few black and whites

 Tiny gardens between the houses and sidewalk

 A bench in front of a house.  We saw a few that had signs on them from the owners.

 Love the gables on the houses

Morning commuters

I kept thinking I had seen this painting by Rembrandt, then I read it was the same picture used on the Dutch Masters Cigar boxes and ads!

 Outside the museum, I was inside this fountain looking at Rick and Linda

 Geoff, Linda and me outside the Rijksmuseum

 We took a canal ride on a boat and this small boat full of girls ran into us, they did not know what they were doing.  Our boat captain just smiled and kept going.

Pancakes with fresh strawberries!!!