The final day

Well Wednesday came and marked a very significant day for us. This was our last full day on this world odyssey. There’s something very weird in that feeling. For all the ways we are excited for the future, to jump into whatever God and life brings us next, there is that slightest bit of loss in knowing that this trip is behind us. It’s just something that’s been in planning for so long, it’s all so hard to believe that it’s nearly done. So we resolved to thoroughly enjoy our last day in Amsterdam.

My thoughts on Amsterdam: It truly is a city like no other. Two things invariably happen to you wandering its streets. You invariably get some sort of second hand high, without any further purpose of your own. There are just so many “coffee” shops and general pot smoking throughout every street in city center, that it simply can’t be helped. You also invariably become paranoid of walking. Because Amsterdam is divided into two groups: the assassins and the victims. Assassins ride bikes and rule the streets and sidewalks. The victims choose to walk. So without knowledge of the cast system prevalent, we became the victims without knowing it. Luckily, Kris and I never got mowed down by the assassins but endured plenty of close calls and more than a hand full of annoyed shout-outs and looks from these two wheeled marauders. We’d like to believe we stumbled on the day of benevolence amongst them all. Maybe they already met their quota for pedestrian run-overs for the month, I’m not sure. Anyhow, we have no broken bones and for that we are fortunate. I have two favorites for a comparison for this city. The first coming out in moments of near accidents and that being “It’s like Venice meets CHAOS!!!” But the probably more accurate description would be a three way combination of Venice (canals and old buildings), Paris (bustling European city) and Boulder, CO (for the bikes and “hippy” culture) Yet for all the “chaos” we really did enjoy our time there.

After exiting the enormous train station we quickly got to our hotel, thanks to the Duncans and quickly checked in so as to get the most out of Amsterdam before nightfall. We proceeded to walk through the city, snagging cheap and easy pizza slices along the way, to the Heineken brewery and museum, which I would have to say is, by far, the most informative and interactive brewery I’ve yet visited, complete with the whole history of the museum, a thorough description of the brewing process, a ride where you “get brewed” yourself, free samples and a gaggle of interactive exhibits which we tried out and even sent out (enjoy fathers…).

After the brewery/museum, we braved our way through more of the city where I got a chance to visit the Anne Frank House while Kris roamed about looking for a dinner spot and taking pictures, since she had already seen it before. I was grateful for the opportunity, growing up on the play converted for TV on videotape and knowing plenty about the story and background. There was such an appreciation in seeing this commemorated so well and yet a sadness in knowing the fate of 7 of the 8 hiding in the house, including Anne, who after 2 years spent hiding and hoping for the end of this atrocity was betrayed to the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp where she died a month before the liberation. I took a few pictures before being BOLDY told by a fellow guest, “Sir, they DON’T let you take pictures here.” Well then! After finishing, I met back up with my poor wife who had to endure 20 minutes of rain waiting for me. She’s a trooper. Dinner was delicious; our magnet search was a success as was Kris’s picture taking of the many, many crooked houses, seemingly leaning on the house beside it as a young kid would lean on their mother when the day was getting too long. Hilarious! We made it back to our hotel to enjoy the big bed, the hot shower and Cast Away on TV.

It was a fine last day to wrap up such a big trip. Though we know not what is next, we have taken steps in a future direction and are trusting God’s grace and plan to see us through. Final trip notes, reflections and statistics soon to follow.

P.S. - note the picture of the houses, like dominoes, seemingly ready to fall over save the building right next to it. Comical really.