Everyday is such a blank canvas. There is so much to see and do here, that we usually just decide to embark upon the first endeavor that springs from one of the three of our mouths. The culture is considerably laid-back. Apparently, Mondays are a continuation of the weekend. Many businesses or stores are not open at all, and those that are open, do not open until noon or later. Things like that are helpful to know, and the kids are quite "with it" on much of the cultural aspects of the move. Being that the locals and some of the European travelers are flying by the seat of their pants, we have found that with just a small bit of effort, we can beat the crowds. This is high holiday season (I think it is so funny to talk like I know what I am talking about), and there are crowds. Today's purpose was to visit the Rijksmuseum. This is one of the big time museums in Amsterdam. It just opened this spring after an over ten year renovation. Ten years. It remained partially open, but dang, I am so glad we got to see the brand new 2013 version. Breathtaking.
This is right outside the entrance to the museum, which is in the background. Notice there is no line of people waiting to get inside.
Mandatory photo op for visitors to the city. G & L are between the "m" and the "s".
The people around the sign were wild. They were crawling all over those letters, sliding, hanging from them -- I did see a small "at your own risk" sign near them.
Here's my photo op. Gant thought he was photobombing, but I totally wanted him in the picture. Score.
Nice to have enough people to take pictures every which way...
I cannot say that I have ever seen art like this in my adult memory. It truly looks like a photograph. The depth was the most surprising aspect for me.
I could fill the page with these, really. I took dozens of pictures in the museum and was surprised that it was even allowed.
This was an early Rembrandt. Portrait of Maria Trip. a.ma.zing.
This is what their view was from that window...
Notice the wide line of people on the left. That is the queue that we did NOT have to stand in, because we went early -- shortly after they opened. One amazing thing we noticed when we got inside was that the staff all looked like Secret Service agents. They were super-professionally dressed, had those ear-pieces in one ear, and you could tell this wasn't their first day on the job. We watched various museum guests approach different employees, and whatever language was spoken to them, they could completely and fluently communicate. Really. Did they go to college and learn 23 languages? Could have. Are they being paid handsomely? I would bet they are. It was very impressive.
The coolest interactive museum grounds I have ever seen.
The museum held many things. This was an Yves Saint Laurent dress from 2002. I would completely sign up to wear this today, and I would have said that before you told me it was designer. Some items in this contemporary collection were things that when you first saw them, you might think, "I didn't realize that was considered art." Of course it is! Everything is a form of art. You can quote me on that. I quite made it up. *heavy English accent*
This jacket, or shirt, was from a German concentration camp. That's a place that is hard for my mind to go.
These are part of the grounds out and around the museum. People were enjoying their short summer by relaxing in the grass. Lots of dogs were there.
It was truly a gorgeous day, and there was more to it than just visiting the Rijksmuseum. Too much for this post.
And here is the big sign in early afternoon, still not at its busiest, but there were tons of people. We are loving it. Stay tuned.
