Jordaan and Anne Frank

Our group took a tram to meet out tour guides to tour the Jordaan neighborhood. We took an alternative tram and walked 20 minutes due to some problem on that particular line. We had been given a three day metro pass which will cover all our local travel needs.

Max, our guide, artist and architectural historian, talked about the demographic changes from lower class to upper class, how that change was reflected in the architecture, as well as a bit of natural beauty the residents of these 3 and 4 story homes bring to their front steps with plants and vines.  These homes are narrow because centuries ago owners were taxed on the amount of land their home covered.  So, they built up and put gables at the roof. Hooks hung from the gables to use to attach ropes and pull up belongings which would not fit through the narrow door. Max also showed us some monuments to gay persons including a two person urinal where the men could meet in safety. Our tour in this area of the city went too fast.

Several of us walked to a nearby canal to locate a lunch place, and we sat at a table on the sidewalk with pedestrians, bicycles, cars and trucks, going by us very closely. We walked a bit more after eating, and Premilla and I sat at the edge of the canal by the Anne Frank house until our group gathered to enter.  An additional building with museum and artifacts has been built in order to accommodate the number of people and groups wishing to visit.  I was deeply moved experiencing the small spaces in which eight people lived for over two years as well as seeing and hearing some of the Anne's written words and seeing fairly recent videos of the person's who helped the Frank family and the other four friends remain hidden. It was stated that it is unknown who tipped off the Nazis of their hiding place.  Anne had planned to write a book about their hiding experiences after the war.  She wanted to be a journalist.  She and her older sister died of typhus in a concentration camp. Their mother also died as well as the other four who had shared their hiding place.  Only Anne's father survived and returned to Amsterdam after the war's end hoping to be reunited with his family.  He even put an ad in the local paper.  When he found his daughter's diary he was surprised at the depth of her thoughts and planned on sharing them with the world which had been her plan.

With two friends from our group we consulted our maps and Rick Steves guidebook and located the hidden Roman catholic church, one of several in Amsterdam shortly before closing.  In the attic of a home we saw a small worship area with all the needed accoutrements.  We had walked quite a distance and rapidly to arrive there.

After the visit we used maps and books to locate a homemade ice cream place where we sat and enjoyed a cup of ice cream.  Then, using books and maps again, we located a Rick Steves recommended Cafe en route back to our hotel.  It felt so good to sit again and enjoy some food.  Premilla had croquettes, a common Dutch dish, and I had fries.

Again we consulted books and maps to locate the correct tram to bring us close to the hotel. Hurrah, say my feet. I was unsuccessful in booking a time to visit the Cortre ten Boom home and museum of the resistance fighter this Saturday.  Located close by in the city of Haarlem we had hoped to visit it with tour friends.  We will find alternative activities here before we take the train to Brussels.

It is 10:30 pm and tomorrow is our final tour day and farewell dinner. I feel sad, for I have new friends who love to travel.  I shall miss Ruby our guide and Etelka, her assistant, both experienced travelers and enthusiastic Rick Steves guides. 

Gute Nacht, Susan

 

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