I wanted to have an easy day to start off our Amsterdam trip, especially since we had a concert at night. Of, course working out a schedule with days closed for one thing and not for the other, I had to work around all of that.
So, for our 1st day of sightseeing, we went to the Oude Kerk (Old Church), from 1306. This is a church but also used for various exhibits. Today there was an exhibit on change using fabrics and other mediums.
The church itself is very plain as much was destroyed by the Calvinists when they got some power, isnt that the way it is with religions? One gets in power, doesnt matter which one and there you go. Anyway, much was destroyed but the ceiling was spared as it was too high to reach. The ceiling is a beautiful wood, painted in some places. Ive never seen such a beautiful simple wood ceiling before.
It was really exciting to find Saskia, Rembrandts wifes, grave. I now am determined to learn more about her.
we did see some women sitting in the windows. But we had to wonder if they were happy with their professions, about the exploitation of women and girls, and where we stood. I had to think of the song in Les Mis Lovely Ladies
Also, we understand how prudish we still are in the US. It gave us a time to question what we think and why. And I dont know what Id do if in that persons situation. And yes, yes, I can hear some people I know; I would/wouldnt blab, blab, blab. But guess what, we dont know what wed do. But these women are safe and protected by their government and there you have it.
We went on to find some lunch and walked down to a market that Id read about. The market is a street market going down about 4 blocks. We did find some olives but most everything either I couldnt eat or it was stuff I wouldnt buy for anything.
place but they were about out of soups and we could only buy 1 small container. We went back to our room and split the soup, ate olives and drank a little wine.
We had a concert, Beethovens 4th Piano Concerto, at the Concert Hall in the evening. Dale and I love Beethoven! So, this was a true. We walked down to the concert hall, about ½ hours walk. Since our tickets did not arrive via email we had to go inside. I showed the email that was sent without tickets and was ready to show the credit card payment but they found our tickets. We proved our Covid vaccines and off we went. We collected our champagne and lite snacks, found our seats and were happy.
The concert was amazing. The pianist wasnt as dramatic or theatrical as some but he played from his heart. This we appreciated as, to us the drama and theater takes away from the music.
