Reba Lives: Amster-DAMN we did a lot today!

Today was a doozy ya'll! Ally and I had to set our alarms for seven (yes, that's 7:00) o'clock in the a.m. just to be ready to get to the train station by eight. We boarded the train for Amsterdam and spent the twenty minute ride anticipating all of the fabulous things that were planned for the day. We officially started the "guided" part of our stay today and let me tell you...our dogs are barkin' tonight!! These feet are so excited to be propped up in bed and not moving right now I can almost hear them thanking me.

We started the morning at the Anne Frank House. Unfortunately, we're not allowed to take photos in the exhibit, but you should know that it was deeply moving and a rare experience. I think it's something everyone should see. What a powerful and humbling thing to start the day with. We then took a walking tour of the city and saw the royal palace among other historic monuments. Then we were given an hour for lunch where Ally and I debated the pros and cons of getting my nose re-pierced...don't judge!! This would, after all, be the best place on Earth to do it!! After much deliberation we decided that there wouldn't be enough time and nixed the whole plan all together...for now...

Instead we had some Belgian Fries (the ones in a cone with mayonnaise drenched all over the top...very healthy...) and kept walking!! We stumbled upon the Tassenmuseum Hendrikje (that's the Museum of Bags and Purses for those of you less versed in the Dutch language) and had a glorious time in their gift shop!! We're making it a point to go back to see the exhibit on our last day in Amsterdam. My Sweet Tea Queens should be expecting some very girly postcards from the Tassenmuseum soon!

We walked through the Bio Markt, a floating flower market on the canal, and met back up with the group to head on over to the Rijksmuseum where we saw the paintings of Rembrandt, Jan Steen, Johannes Vermeer and Frans Hals...incredible. I really wish we had had more time there to explore but, alas, Ally and I had a date with the Heineken Brewery!! I was excited about the two "free" beers with purchase of ticket and the virtual reality ride which simulated your group being turned into beer, but other than those aspects, I felt like I was being attacked by subliminal advertising ninjas at every green tinted corner!

Upon leaving the brewery we met our group again and boarded a boat to leisurely float down the canals of Amsterdam and give our tootsies a rest. We disembarked to take an eye widening and very educational stroll through the red light district...ehem...which finally led us back to our train and back to our quaint little Haarlem. Ally and I ate ravenously and quickly on the square and then passed by the gelato shop to grab a Belgian Waffle with Caramel Creme gelato topping for dessert...not that we're counting calories on this trip, but I'm sure we walked enough today to excuse one teensy waffle with ice cream on top!! Come on ya'll!! Postcards are done. Day is done. I'm headed to bed!

Peace, Love, and Travel,
Reba

Standing on the platform to catch my first Dutch train.

Riding in my first Dutch train, I felt like such a sassy girl!

Holland is bedecked in orange right now due to the game last night between Holland and Portugal...Holland lost...the streets were a little sadder today.

This is a hidden church in an alleyway from when the iconoclast of the Catholic churches was going on.

Here's the inside. It's still a working church!

Bulbs at the Bio Markt. I may or may not be sneaking some in to the country for my father...

Wedding portrait of Queen Beatrix. How cool is she for this time period!? She's like "yeah, bitch! This is my hubs! While you're at it...check out this ring I'm rockin'!!"