Amsterdam

Last weekend, I went to Amsterdam! I was really excited about this trip for a number of reasons. There were only four of us going, which waas nice. It was jut a quick trip, and we were taking a train, so it was less stressful. And, most importantly, Amsterdam was home to two very special people - Anne Frank and Corrie Ten Boom. I was really excited to be able to see both of their "hiding places".

The city of canals!

When we arrived in Amsterdam, we settled our stuff in the hostel and then wandered around town for a while. We had a recommendation for lunch from our friends Leah and Sey. We found our way to Singel 404, and boy, I am so glad we did! It is a really popular place, so we had to wait a little while for a table, buti t was worth it. I had a really good goat cheese, pine nut, and honey sandwich. It was really rich, but so good!

So excited to be with Cameron, Mary Grace, and Allie!

Then we made our way up the canal to the Anne Frank Museum. There was a short line, so we didn't have to wait long. The museum is so well done. Quotes from Anne Frank's diary are engraved along the walls. There is place where you can learn a little more about the Holocaust and the Frank family. Then I made my way up through the various offices, reading more about the people who hid the eight people in the Secret Annex. After that, I climbed the steep stairs, walked through the bookshelf, and went into the Secret Annex. Otto Frank requested that there not be furniture displayed in the Annex, so it is empty. I was surprised by how big it was. It certainly wasn't huge, and it would definitely get crowded with eight people in there all the time, never being able to leave. But still, it was bigger than I expected. Anyway, it was amazing to walk through these rooms and see traces of the families left behind. After leaving the Secret Annex, I walked into a room that explained what happened to everyone who lived in the Annex. There was also a video of one of Anne's friends who survived the war but was able to see Anne just before she died. In the next room, there was an interview with Otto Frank being played that was really moving. The whole museum is excellent. If you are ever in Amsterdam, please go.

Love the canals!

After leaving the museum, we walked down the canal, stopping for some window shopping, and meandered to Leidesplein, where there was a cute Christmas market. After taking a few pictures, we headed to the Van Gogh museum. I have never been a huge Van Gogh fan - I know, I know - but I loved this museum. It houses pictures from people who influenced his style, and it shows his change in style over time. It was incredible. I loved his earlier pieces, in particular.

Christmas market with Allie

After we left the museum, we grabbed some soup and apple tart for dinner and then made our way back to the hostel.

First thing in the morning, we grabbed breakfast and then jumped on a train to Haarlem! After a short train/bus ride, we walked into town. We couldn't tour the Corrie Ten Boom house for an hour, so we just walked around and shopped. Finally it was time for our tour. The lady led us up to the sitting room, and we all sat down. She told the story of the Ten Boom family in such a nice way, almost as if she knew them. The whole thing was very intimate and friendly. Then a man guide led us up to Corrie Ten Boom's room where the hiding place was. Essentially, they bricked in a false wall with an entrance through a cabinet in the room. Now there is a hole in the wall to show what the inside of the hiding place looks like. It was really amazing to stand there looking at the hiding place and hearing the story of what went on there. The rest of the house holds pictures of Corrie's life. It was really amazing. My favorite part was how the guide emphasized Corrie's message to people after the war - forgiveness. One man touring with us said, "Its hard to think that someone could hate a people group." The guide immediately said, "That is true, but Corrie made it a point to share with everyone the importance of forgiveness." He then shared the story that Corrie told in one of her books. After speaking in Germany, a former guard at Ravensbrook came up to her and told her that he had recently become a Believer. He said, "I know the Lord has forgiven me, but I want to ask your forgiveness also." Corrie recognized the man from her time in the concentration camp, and she froze. She did not want to forgive him for the things he had done. She prayed, "Lord, You are going to have to do this for me." And slowly, he hand raised to meet his. As they shook hands, Corrie was filled with joy. This was her message to people after seeing her sister die, her father die, and being imprisoned in a terrible concentration camp. She really was an amazing woman. Again, if you haven't read The Hiding Place, go get it right now and read it!

Inside the Hiding Place

After leaving Corrie's house, we stopped for lunch at a great place with the nicest waiter ever. (He gave us water even though he is only supposed to give that to us if we had ordered wine or something. We had all ordered hot drinks, but still, it was so nice!) We just talked and laughed and imagined our futures (haha!). Finally, it was time to make our way back to Amsterdam center. We meandered to the hostel, grabbed our bags, and stopped at a cute bakery for a snack. Then we walked along  a canal to the train station. We boarded our train and talked during the entire three hour train ride back to Brussels!

Loving Haarlem with Cameron and Allie!

It was such a fun weekend, and a fabulous last trip in Europe! I cannot believe that in just a few days I will be home!