On Tuesday we decided it was too cold to go bicycling as we originally planned. Instead we chose to go to the Museum Amstelkring, our Lord in the Attic. It was a church in the attic of three connecting buildings that was a Catholic Church hidden from the street. During the Protestant Reformation in the 1700's, the Catholics were not permitted to openly worship. This church survived in its original state, and included other preserved areas such as the priest's sleeping area and kitchen. We also visited the Willet-Holthuysen Museum, a museum/ home that was restored to its original splendor as the home of a wealthy merchant from the Golden Age in the 18th century. We lunched back at the hotel and then went to a church, the Westerkerk, that was closed so we walked around it. It was very close to our hotel and we returned in the afternoon. The kids played cards, read and talked. At night we went to the Pancake Bakery for delicious pancakes, cooked the Dutch way...mmmm.
The next morning we left for the airport. We packed some of the delicious goodies left from the welcome basket that Michele (Jake's mom) had sent for us and we received upon our arrival. The basket was full of Dutch treats. What a nice surprise! Thanks, Michele.
The students were so well behaved, interested, friendly and a real pleasure to travel with.
Thanks to all the parents who made this happen (and for raising such nice children)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Delft, the Hague and Voorburg
Last night we went to my birthday dinner at Cafe Amsterdam. It was a wonderful dinner and we all had a great time. We splurged on dessert and drinks . Today we went to the Haag and took a walking tour. We saw the Parliament and the palace. Then we went to the Hague Montessori Lyceum and had a wonderful lunch and tour. Several students stayed with us and explained more about their school. Afterwards we went to Delft and walked around this medieval town. We visited a Delft porcelain workshop and watched an artist paint the Delft ware. We also visited the church in town. Then we went to Voorburg and had a splendid meal with Gary Mallard (Jason and Will Eveleth's Grandpa) He made us a delicious pasta meal. We visited and the kids sang and talked. It was a wonderful dinner in a beautiful old Dutch home located on a canal in a picturesque village.
-Susan
-Susan
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Rainy day- art museums and more
Hello everyone,
Yesterday we had very, very good Dutch cheese fondue for dinner. We dipped bread and meat inside the cheese. We all enjoyed it.
Although it was raining, today was very fun. First we got on a tram and rode to Spui (Spo) station. When we got there our eyes fell on a diamond museum. We went inside and saw all of the diamonds and tools for cutting and polishing them. We learned about the value of a diamond. We also got to see different diamonds that had already been cut.
After the diamond museum, we went to the Van Gogh museum. At this museum we got to observe the fine art of Vincent Van Gogh through the stages of his life. It was cool to see how his work improved as he grew older. This museum was fun for everyone.
When we left the Van Gogh museum, we headed towards the Rembrandt house. We stopped at a herring stand and sampled a taste of this Dutch favorite. We were so lucky; we got to go through a flower market called Blomenmark on the way. We got to see tulips and Orchids and many other flowers. It’s too bad that we can’t bring any flowers or bulbs back home. There were also several souvenir shops along the opposite side of the street.
After Blomenmark, we went inside a McDonalds on the street. Here we all got sundaes. Everybody loved the sundaes and enjoyed their time at good old McDonalds.
After the McDonalds stop, we finally arrived at the Rembrandt house. This was the house that Rembrandt lived, worked and sold art in. We got to see how he made his etchings and paintings. We also got to see how Rembrandt lived in his home.
After the Rembrandt house, we finally headed home. We took another tram to Dam Station and walked home from there.
Tonight we’re planning for Susan’s Birthday. We are going out for dinner and celebrating a wonderful chaperone’s B-day.
Lastly, I’d like to mention that tomorrow we are taking an excursion to visit a Montessori School in The Hague. We’ll try to keep you updated on our recent adventures.
Sincerely,
Jake Fogel
Yesterday we had very, very good Dutch cheese fondue for dinner. We dipped bread and meat inside the cheese. We all enjoyed it.
Although it was raining, today was very fun. First we got on a tram and rode to Spui (Spo) station. When we got there our eyes fell on a diamond museum. We went inside and saw all of the diamonds and tools for cutting and polishing them. We learned about the value of a diamond. We also got to see different diamonds that had already been cut.
After the diamond museum, we went to the Van Gogh museum. At this museum we got to observe the fine art of Vincent Van Gogh through the stages of his life. It was cool to see how his work improved as he grew older. This museum was fun for everyone.
When we left the Van Gogh museum, we headed towards the Rembrandt house. We stopped at a herring stand and sampled a taste of this Dutch favorite. We were so lucky; we got to go through a flower market called Blomenmark on the way. We got to see tulips and Orchids and many other flowers. It’s too bad that we can’t bring any flowers or bulbs back home. There were also several souvenir shops along the opposite side of the street.
After Blomenmark, we went inside a McDonalds on the street. Here we all got sundaes. Everybody loved the sundaes and enjoyed their time at good old McDonalds.
After the McDonalds stop, we finally arrived at the Rembrandt house. This was the house that Rembrandt lived, worked and sold art in. We got to see how he made his etchings and paintings. We also got to see how Rembrandt lived in his home.
After the Rembrandt house, we finally headed home. We took another tram to Dam Station and walked home from there.
Tonight we’re planning for Susan’s Birthday. We are going out for dinner and celebrating a wonderful chaperone’s B-day.
Lastly, I’d like to mention that tomorrow we are taking an excursion to visit a Montessori School in The Hague. We’ll try to keep you updated on our recent adventures.
Sincerely,
Jake Fogel
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Great Time!
Hi
We are having a great time in Amsterdam.
On the first day we arrived we went to the hotel and ate a big breakfast with all of the Dutch treats, like good bread and cheese. Then some of us took a nap and then went out to do some sightseeing.
We went to Dam Square and watched some street performers, shopped at some souvenir shops and enjoyed walking along the canals. We also visited the Amsterdam History Museum.
At night we dined at an Indonesian Restaurant.
The next day we took a canal boat on a short tour and then went to the Rijksmuseum and saw beautiful Dutch paintings including the Night Watch. We ate lunch in a park area outside of the museum and ran around playing tag. We hopped back on the Canal Boat and went to the Waterloopein and did a little flea market shopping then took a tram to the Anne Frank house. We had an excellent program and tour for two hours.
In the evening, we ate at an Italian place and had pizza and pasta.
Today, Saturday, we went to Zaanse Schans, an outdoor park and museum, with windmills, cheese shop/museum, pewter maker, old baker shop, etc. They demonstrated the tradition way of life in Holland. It was very interesting; the children had a wonderful time, we sampled pancakes and other Dutch treats, and we all learned a lot. We were also lucky because it was a beautiful day. We plan to eat at a fondue restaurant tonight.
The kids planned each day and also have done the grocery shopping for lunch and packed the lunches. I asked if someone wanted to post the blog, but they are EXHAUSTED!! We have been going all day.
All for now!!
-Susan
We are having a great time in Amsterdam.
On the first day we arrived we went to the hotel and ate a big breakfast with all of the Dutch treats, like good bread and cheese. Then some of us took a nap and then went out to do some sightseeing.
We went to Dam Square and watched some street performers, shopped at some souvenir shops and enjoyed walking along the canals. We also visited the Amsterdam History Museum.
At night we dined at an Indonesian Restaurant.
The next day we took a canal boat on a short tour and then went to the Rijksmuseum and saw beautiful Dutch paintings including the Night Watch. We ate lunch in a park area outside of the museum and ran around playing tag. We hopped back on the Canal Boat and went to the Waterloopein and did a little flea market shopping then took a tram to the Anne Frank house. We had an excellent program and tour for two hours.
In the evening, we ate at an Italian place and had pizza and pasta.
Today, Saturday, we went to Zaanse Schans, an outdoor park and museum, with windmills, cheese shop/museum, pewter maker, old baker shop, etc. They demonstrated the tradition way of life in Holland. It was very interesting; the children had a wonderful time, we sampled pancakes and other Dutch treats, and we all learned a lot. We were also lucky because it was a beautiful day. We plan to eat at a fondue restaurant tonight.
The kids planned each day and also have done the grocery shopping for lunch and packed the lunches. I asked if someone wanted to post the blog, but they are EXHAUSTED!! We have been going all day.
All for now!!
-Susan
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Leaving Albany!... Amsterdam bound!
It is hard to tell from this very fuzzy photo... BUT we watched as everyone boarded the plane in Albany and it departed about 1/2 hour late...
We can't wait to read your daily posts in Amsterdam. Have a GREAT time!!
Nancy & Bernie
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
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