on the water part 2

 

 

 

 

Somehow the spirit of the Sixties has yet to leave Amsterdam.  A fitting way to end our journey.

 

 

 

happy faces

 

 

 

The Rijksmuseum features more traditional art but is still worth a visit. Rembrandt's, 'The Night Watch' is huge and stunning, even if it is surrounded by scaffolding and protective sheeting whilst undergoing restoration.

Cuyper's library is equally majestic. It houses over 450,000 art books, all of which can still be consulted and studied by members of the public.

Finally, the ship shown below is a model of the William Rex made in 1698 by dockyard craftsmen. It's five metres long and nearly as tall and features seventy four gun ports.

 

 

the streets of amsterdam

 

 

 

Walking the streets of Amsterdam we chance upon the Flower Market. Its bright and breezy displays are a far cry from the Dutch tulip market bubble in the 1630s.

At its height, speculation drove the price of certain prized specimens to six times the average annual salary at the time only for the market to crash spectacularly in just a few days.

It's a timely reminder of the 'greater fool' theory. This economic concept suggests profit can be made by buying an overpriced asset with the belief it can be sold on to another, 'greater fool' for an even higher price. 

At least tulip bulbs can be planted and enjoyed for their intrinsic value. I have yet to discover what, if anything, can be done practically with crypto-currency ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

on the water part 1

A canal boat trip through the heart of Amsterdam one rainy afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

for to breathe

 

 

Ouder Kerke, the oldest building in all of Amsterdam. Post-reformation it's stripped to bare bones. The walls are white-washed and the floor a mosaic of dark grave stones which mark our own mortality.

 

Remnants of its Catholic past remain; the huge stained-glass windows and the stunning wooden roof. 

 

The church hosts two modern art exhibitions each year. At the moment the floor is spotted with large textile wrapped bundles called 'bottari'. Each bundle contains clothing donated by the people of Amsterdam.

 

'For to Breathe' is an installation by renowned Korean artist, Kimsooja. A timely reminder of the welcome some provide to others. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tripping - a short break

 

 

 

three hours in an amsterdam hospital. triaged, pain-relief, first doctor examination, x-ray, second doctor examination, resin cast, full written medical report, email copied x-rays