Personal Plans Prove Pointless...
I am a planner- especially when it comes to vacations. I want to maximize my time and experiences and minimize the impact on my pocketbook. So I was very excited to find tickets to a play about Anne Frank. Where better to see Anne's story than in the country she lived in?
Another thing I was very excited about was arranging with my houseboat owner, Tenneke, to get a canal boat ride with a local. I wanted to see the city the way the locals do (another thing "The Rickster" encourages- local, authentic experiences!). She promised to speak with a couple of friends and get back to me.
I wanted to get to the Dutch Resistance Museum. This was the one day I had available and I wanted to make the most of it. However, I hung out in my room, waiting to hear from Tenneke before I went to the museum. Since she wasn't e-mailing me back, I thought perhaps she would just come over.
Another thing I was very excited about was arranging with my houseboat owner, Tenneke, to get a canal boat ride with a local. I wanted to see the city the way the locals do (another thing "The Rickster" encourages- local, authentic experiences!). She promised to speak with a couple of friends and get back to me.
I wanted to get to the Dutch Resistance Museum. This was the one day I had available and I wanted to make the most of it. However, I hung out in my room, waiting to hear from Tenneke before I went to the museum. Since she wasn't e-mailing me back, I thought perhaps she would just come over.
The day was frustrating. I'd sent Tenneke an e-mail the night before, but I just wasn't hearing back from her. I felt like I was in a lose-lose situation. If I left to do anything, I'd miss her, if I stayed, I wouldn't be doing anything- and I really wanted the boat ride!
Since it started raining cats and dogs, I SKYPED my daughter. As we chatted, the sky began to clear and the sun peeked out. Since I was staying in the same houseboat that the two of us had stayed in before our Russian River Cruise three years earlier, I took this picture for Kaylie.
Since it started raining cats and dogs, I SKYPED my daughter. As we chatted, the sky began to clear and the sun peeked out. Since I was staying in the same houseboat that the two of us had stayed in before our Russian River Cruise three years earlier, I took this picture for Kaylie.
Hope springs eternal in me, so I decided to go explore the neighborhood, staying close to home, in case Tenneke finally called. Only a block away from my houseboat was a lovely park with a skateboard pit. The park gave me a lot of subjects to capture with my camera. I enjoyed people watching and chatting with locals. I spent a couple of hours there and in the surrounding neighborhood taking random shots.
The cold finally drove me inside. I kept waiting for Tenneke's call/text/email- to no avail.
The cold finally drove me inside. I kept waiting for Tenneke's call/text/email- to no avail.
I finally had to admit there would be no boat ride. I tried to put aside my disappointment and focus on the lovely afternoon photo-shoot and the evening to come.
It took me about 45 minutes to walk to the docks. The streets here can be nutsy in places and my walk coincided with rush hour. The bikes and cars were everywhere. I had to watch myself carefully. I was watching the skies too- as it was getting cloudy and darker by the minute. Finally, as I got to the docks, it started to rain. I rushed my steps, wondering when the theater would pop into sight.
Finally, I found the theater Amsterdam. But something was weird...
Where were the people? Where were the lights? Where were the cars? Not only was it void of people around the theater, there were no people IN the theater. The doors were locked. I swear I was the only person around. It was very creepy.
I hung around for a few minutes, ever hopeful, but finally had to admit that not only had I lost out on the Dutch Resistance Museum and a private canal tour, but I'd also lost out on ANNE. I was stuck at the docks, in the rain, and with another long walk home in it.
Finally, I found the theater Amsterdam. But something was weird...
Where were the people? Where were the lights? Where were the cars? Not only was it void of people around the theater, there were no people IN the theater. The doors were locked. I swear I was the only person around. It was very creepy.
I hung around for a few minutes, ever hopeful, but finally had to admit that not only had I lost out on the Dutch Resistance Museum and a private canal tour, but I'd also lost out on ANNE. I was stuck at the docks, in the rain, and with another long walk home in it.
A hesitant smile to hide the pain in front of the empty theater. The skies opened up a minute later and I had a long wet walk home.
Memorable Moments
Curious Capture
Delightful Dogs of the Day!
Watercloset Wonders
Lessons Learned
Stuff Happens. You can plan and plan and plan. While planning is still usually the best way to make the most of your travel time and money, stuff happens and you have to be willing to roll with it. Shortly after I returned to the boat (post-play-that-didn't-happen), there was a knock on my door. Tenneke asked how things were going and said she was sorry about the boat ride. She'd never heard back from me, so assumed it was cancelled. WHAT? I told her I sent her an e-mail and had waited to hear from her. Very concerned, Tenneke invited me to her side of the boat for tea- so she could look through her e-mails. Long story short, because of internet issues, my e-mail had never sent, and sat in my drafts box. I thought I'd sent it, and she'd never got it and cancelled with her friend. *sigh*
So I can look at the dark side- no Dutch Resistance Museum, no play, no boat ride and a looooong, COLD, wet walk.
OR
I can focus on the good things- a cozy, relaxed morning in my room, an enjoyable afternoon in the park, a warm meal in my little room, a lovely tea with Tenneke and her dogs, Pom and Asha.
I'll choose the bright side any day. After all, I was in Amsterdam! I further explored, Amsterdam! I considered myself a lucky lady.
So I can look at the dark side- no Dutch Resistance Museum, no play, no boat ride and a looooong, COLD, wet walk.
OR
I can focus on the good things- a cozy, relaxed morning in my room, an enjoyable afternoon in the park, a warm meal in my little room, a lovely tea with Tenneke and her dogs, Pom and Asha.
I'll choose the bright side any day. After all, I was in Amsterdam! I further explored, Amsterdam! I considered myself a lucky lady.