Coffee shop at a ferry crossing, Amsterdam.
Mais oui, la vie est belle - if a bit hectic. David and I are just back from a lovely trip to Amsterdam, bearing red ribbon-tied keys for our next abode. Alas, our Paris apartment now looks as though a cyclone hit, with things piled everywhere, waiting for the moving company to bring boxes.
In Amsterdam, we went to the Rijksmuseum yet again, where an exhibit of Gabriel Metsu's paintings was the star. I never tire of the Dutch masters and their remarkable use of light, particularly Johannes Vermeer. I could look at his paintings for days. Both The Little Street and The Milkmaid are on display; Girl with a Pearl Earring is at The Mauritshuis Gallery inThe Hague. Oddly, none of Vermeer's paintings are at the museum in Delft, where he lived and worked. Perhaps it's an insurance issue.
One of the Rijksmuseum's most famous attractions is Rembrandt's The Night Watch. A group of schoolchildren, probably 8 or 9 years old, was sitting spellbound on the floor beneath the wall-size painting, as their enthusiastic teacher told them stories about each person depicted in the painting.
The Rijksmuseum also has recent photography acquisitions on display, including abstract architectural images from Man Ray and black-and-white documentary photographs by Robert Frank and other 20th-century greats.
In Holland, we had casual lunches at bistros in Amsterdam and Utrecht. I bought glittery magnolia blooms on sale for half price. We had dinner at an old favourite (where lobster bisque is my standard choice) restaurant in the Museum and Fashion District. The next night, we enjoyed a more festive meal with new friends in a bijoux town. Earlier, we bought an American retro-looking chrome refrigerator, to be delivered the day I arrive to greet the movers.
One afternoon we walked down a cobblestone road to find a ferry crossing flooded, with deep water standing in riverfront property. Only the tops of fenceposts were visible. Later when we mentioned the flooding to Dutch friends - who are used to dealing with wayward water - they shrugged. Apparently such flooding is seasonal and to be expected, as snow melts.
Am looking forward to more intriguing aspects of life in Holland. Now if I could just finish packing...
are you kidding?! Vermeer is my IDOL!! (I mean, if I had idols...)
Posted by: Chris | 16 February 2011 at 17:08
I am so excited for you!
Posted by: Rosa | 30 January 2011 at 07:05
What an adventure tihs move must be. I have not moved between cities let alone countries much in my life. You must be so excited to be done and settled.
I saw Night Watch at the Rijksmuseum long ago and was astonished at it's size. So many of the paintings I had only seen in books are so small compared to how I imagined them.
anyway,
good luck with the move
x..x
Posted by: stephanie | 27 January 2011 at 02:15
You and David are in my thoughts often in these days, as you prepare to move. I hope all goes smoothly and I look forward to reading of your adventures.
Google reader ... adding you too. It's a new thing I've learned to do recently. Only a few years after everyone else was probably mastering it xo
Posted by: Di | 26 January 2011 at 22:41
I can see I must add Amsterdam to my "someday" list! And how I love the photo of the bicycle -- perhaps it is the Rick influence, but I can't pass up a photo of a bike without experiencing great joy!
How excited and frantic you must be -- but glad you have your keys and are good to go -- at least so far as Amsterdam is concerned. Paris? Well... soon!
Posted by: jeanie | 26 January 2011 at 21:57
Oh, I thought I'd lost you! So you're on to Amsterdam, one of my very favorite cities! Can't wait to follow your new adventures, dear heart.
Xoo,
Louise
Posted by: Laura | 24 January 2011 at 23:38
Best of luck with everything...and I must say, The Milk Maid and lobster bisque in one day, how delightfully decadent. Well done, you.
Posted by: Natalie | 24 January 2011 at 19:35
Good luck with the packing and moving. I had to smile at that picture. I had a picture on my blog on Friday of a button I recently acquired that says "make tea, not war". Loved the museums in Amsterdam, especially was enthralled with the VanGogh. If I ever fly through Amsterdam again, I will be sure to include time to once again visit the museums. What a treasure is there for you with open arms. And how exciting to be moving there. I can't wait to hear you stories of living in Amsterdam.
Posted by: Marilyn | 24 January 2011 at 19:14
i love it! you are at home. ; )
xo
Posted by: christina | 24 January 2011 at 17:52
home is where the boxes land. enjoy the trip.
Posted by: margie | 24 January 2011 at 15:07
The bike slogan could be my own mantra! I'd love to know the name of your favourite restaurant in Amsterdam that you mention - we're planning a weekend trip there next month. Best of luck with the packing (nobody's favourite task); it sounds as though you're going to have a wonderful time in your new location.
Posted by: Karen@PasGrand-Chose | 24 January 2011 at 10:44
Tracy, your comment made me smile. If only...I could use a spa about now; aching muscles from lifting heavy things. (And I do take a lot of vitamins). :)
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 January 2011 at 09:05
Moving is always so tumultuous!! But worth it in the end...new beginnings. Love that you already seem to feel right at home in Holland, I hope you blog your way through it for us.
Rembrandt is a fave, after I saw some work in Washington. That was my first exposure to him. Mostly self portraits if I recall correctly. The Night Watch is glorious!
Ooooh your fridge sounds perfectly groovy! You will be able to keep all your dutch cheeses in there. :)
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian | 24 January 2011 at 04:38
Tara,
I want to know what vitamins you take and if can we open a Southern California take over the world if you drink this juice spa together.
Such sweetness to you and David in your new adventure.
Posted by: Tracy | 24 January 2011 at 03:19
How exciting! Changing countries and cities...Indeed la vie est tres belle ;-)
Posted by: Anyes | 24 January 2011 at 01:41
I too am in the midst of moving....nothing as exciting as Amsterdam but a big change none the less. Tara, may I share this picture with friends (with due acknowlegement,of course)?
Anyone who knows me knows this has been my mantra for years:
"life is too short to drink bad coffee!" Still excited to see your photos from your new home.
Posted by: Mary H. | 24 January 2011 at 00:58