Zombie day- Oct. 22

We arrived in Amsterdam at 7:00 am. It was still pitch black dark and a bit creepy.  The first thing we did was get cash out of the ATM since our hotel only takes cash.  Then we tried to get our tickets for the train into Amsterdam but the machine wouldn't take our cards.  Apparently the new thing in Europe is this chip in it with a special PIN number to work.  We ended up having to pay cash.  We realized much too late that we should've hung out in the Sky lounge until it was late enough to take our bags to the hotel.  Instead, we walked in the dark to our hotel and sat on the steps till the manager/owner? got there to open up.  It wasn't too bad, it was actually cool watching all the people zoom by on their bikes on their way to work.  

Our hotel is super old.  It was built in 1632.  Our room is on the 3rd floor (although the manager told us it was the first floor, lol!) and is called "The Rembrandt."  How cute!  The floor is sloped toward the front of the building.  Did I mention that it was old?

Scott in our hotel room with the sloped floor.

Our cute, old hotel on the corner. 

After dropping off our bags, we dragged ourselves to the Anne Frank house and got in line about 30 minutes before it opened.  There were only about 15 people in front of us.  By the time it opened at 9:00, the line stretched around the block.  We were glad we went ahead and went there first.  

                                   

                                                        the Anne Frank house

Afterward, we took a canal cruise on Holland International.  Scott and I were so tired and the boat rocking was so lulling, that we kept nodding off.  I don't remember half of it!  

         Yes, that is a three story bike parking garage. The Dutch really know how to do bike riding right, including actual bike lanes separate from the car traffic. 

                                                   One of many beautiful canal bridges.

                  Don't let the smiles fool ya, folks. We're actually asleep in this photo. 

          This is how the Dutch move out of 5 story buildings. Another thing they got right!

After that, we dragged ourselves to a restaurant near our hotel, Cafe van Zuylen.  I had a panini with goat cheese, honey, and apricots (oh and ham).  It was sooooo yummy!  Scott had the "healthy sandwich" which basically was a big multi grain roll with ham, cheese, egg, lettuce , and tomato.  We joked that maybe "healthy" really meant "hearty."  We had a corner seat by the window and people watched.  

After lunch, we came back to the hotel and took 3 hour naps.  It was awesome!  I felt a little better when we got up.  

For dinner, we ate at this fancy schmancy Belgian restuarant, Lieve.  It was also soooo good.  When we walked in, we had to choose our "atmosphere":  living room style (basically normal meal), baroque (little samples of everything, served family style), or the elegant (4 course meal). We chose the living room.  We sat at a little lounge area while they set up the table.  My first course was chestnut veloute with a garnish of bacon and roasted hazelnuts.  Scott had smoked whiting with roasted celeriac and a relish of beetroot.  For my main entree I had grilled sirloin of black angus and Scott had baked steak of deer.  We both had Belgian fries, with mayo, of course.  For dessert (yes, we couldn't resist) I had parfait of hazelnuts and Frangelico with caramel sauce, and Scott had mouse of dark chocolate with a biscuit of pink pepper.

I think we will sleep well tonight. :D