Amsterdam- Art & Design/Last Thoughts

Today is King's Day in Amsterdam.

 The tradition is- wear orange, eat, drink, make merry, claim some space on any sidewalk to sell anything you want to get rid of, herald the start of spring.

There's no tram transport within the city center today, and many things are shut.  But the grand dame of Dutch museums, the Rijks is opened, so off we went for a late lunch, and a stroll through time.

The Rijks houses some insane Rembrandt and Vanmeer.  

Behold, Rembrandt's Nachtwacht (Night Watch)...

The scale of the painting, the manner in which light is captured and expressed, and the motion of the figures, left me a tad dizzy.

But it was Vanmeer's intimate painting, 'Milkmaid', that moved me profoundly.

How I wish, I could make art like that- art that is so simple, yet packs a poetic punch!

Other things I saw that affected me- a library within the museum (!),

and a wonderful doll house that for some reason, called to mind, traditional Peranakan interiors!

The light this afternoon remained, gentle.  My model was willing.  So I attempted shooting our hotel again.

GORGEOUS!

WOW!

Piero Lissoni is not Dutch, and I am repeating myself...But methinks he is quite the demigod of design!

More provocative design can be found at the Stedelijk Museum, that is now presenting 25 years of Dutch designer, Marcel Wanders.

I've never been quite a fan, as I don't feel pulled by contemporary design in furniture and daily living.  But walking through the exhibition, I began to enjoy his wit and the scope of his genius.

Yesterday I took Jon on a canal cruise.  

As we sailed past rows of historical canal houses, tree-lined cobblestoned streets, and the local folks whizzing by on their bicycles, he turned to me and said- Ok, I can imagine you living here with Bruno.

My last thoughts?  

A compact city filled with great art, innovative design, good food,

helpful netizens, a prevailing sense of open mindedness towards the new, the strange, dog-friendly, a less glaring divide between the haves and have-nots, and a feeling of being at continual crossroads- that's Amsterdam for me.

Amsterdam Abode

Once we settled Summie back at school,

and before he returns to Singapore, Jon and I decided to go on a date.

I was thinking, Amsterdam- compact, charming, a convenient commute.

 For a change, Jon suggested we not bring Bruno (!), and I, wanting to give my husband undivided attention, agreed.

Jon also picked our Amsterdam abode.  Instead of my usual crumbly/shabby chic holes, we find ourselves at The Conservatorium, right in the heart of Museumplein.

I wish I could capture the handsomeness of this hotel!  My photos do little, little justice!

The hotel is stunning.  Ordinarily I find contemporary interiors forgettable, but everything here is executed with such discreet taste and quality.  The architect Piero Lissoni is a demigod!

The room we are given would make a terrific city pad.

There is fine attention to details, and the bathroom is a dream.

The Conservatorium, Van Baerlestraat 27

Early in the Morning

Today is our day off.  We wake too early, and go for a walk around the neighbourhood and beyond.   Amsterdam feels like a picturesque village, with some bits prettier than others.  The vibe here is incredibly mellow.  People have been very kind, welcoming.  I like that their manners are quiet, non-intrusive.  The city is easy to navigate.  I wish I could speak some Dutch.

We find the flower market (Bloemenmarkt), but it is too early, and all the stores are closed.  We walk on, enjoying the gentle solitude.  Somewhere in the centre of the city, I chance upon this door!

 But it is only 7am, so I can't get in.  As I am waiting to decide where to aimlessly walk towards next, a woman exits.  The door ajar, I slip in quickly, and experience an oasis of calm.

Glimpse of the oldest house in Amsterdam painted dark (R)

Only women reside here.  It has been this way for centuries.  Then I see a sign that says dogs and photography are not allowed.  So I get out of there before anyone spots us.  Best not mess with Girl Power.

Saturday: Ask, and you shall receive. Seek, and you shall find...

There are 3 factors that motivate this blog.

Factor 1:  I needed to discipline myself with daily writing and practice.  I have been dancing for a while.  As in serious hard core dancing.  You don't get to the hard bits without discipline and daily practice.  I don't really care to dance much these days, but the need to create is innate, urgent.   Creativity goes nowhere without practice.

Factor 2:  I found myself in paperdom hell trying to decipher EU pet import laws, DEFRA, Singapore AVA demands and laws etc etc etc when I was trying to sort out traveling with Bruno.  To spice things up, Bruno began life in Tasmania, Australia.  So it has meant communicating with vets and the powers that be in the UK, the Netherlands, Singapore and Australia.  I've encountered hostility.  But I've also experienced much kindness.  I keep thinking, I can't be the only one needing to re-locate with a dog to the UK from Singapore, and how as I meander through this fog, surely I could share what (little) I know, and help someone else along?

Factor 3:  There are some wonderful blogs/information on traveling with dogs out there.  But everywhere I looked, I could not find the kind of information I was seeking.  For instance, everyone is saying Amsterdam is the most dog-friendly of cities (HOORAY!), but all the information available thus far also states that for the most part, even as dogs can go everywhere in Amsterdam, they simply cannot go to museums.  Then I try searching specifically as to what to do with a dog in Amsterdam.  Vondelpark- great- I get that.  But what sort of trip would it be for me, without some kind of museum visit?  The more I researched, the more curious and dissatisfied I became with what I found.  So I simply decided to write directly to X to ask.  Politely.
                                                                             

Ask, and you shall receive.  Seek and you shall find :)

In a nutshell, Factor 3 can perhaps be described as the way I like to be.  What I like to do, see, feel, touch.  I think I've chanced upon some unexpected gems.  If it makes it easier- here's my research, I'm happy to share.

photo credit:  Rembrandthuis (etching by the Dutch Master)