I am working on a slight sinus infection. I didn't sleep well last night because I kept waking up with a sore throat that is the result of icky drippage. I mainlined some orange juice, took a boiling hot shower, and felt better. I didn't get out until almost noon.
I took the tram to Dam Square and just wandered around. I knew the vague direction to the Flea Market and went that way. I walked along scenic canals and the Amstel river, snapping photos as I went along...
I accidentally happened upon it much later. I turned the corner, and there it was...chaos!
The flea market takes up a big section of Waterlooplein.
This is it from across the canal. As you can see, this is a slightly more modern section of the central area of the city. I bought a few things, mostly goofy tourist stuff (like my slippers!). I was hungry and I decided to indulge in another weakness of mine that is not as weird here as it is in the US.
Yes, those are French fries with MAYONAISE! Nobody here thought I was a freak for asking for mayo on my "chips" like they do when I plop some Hellman's on my fries at home. Culinary, I seem to have a lot in common with the Dutch...cheese, black licorice, mayo on my fries...yummo. Of course, I could feel the ole arteries hardening but it was a birthday treat!
More wandering, more pictures...
Seriously, I just wandered around, stuck my nose into a few tourist shops, then turned a corner
This is South Church or Zuiderkerk. No, I didn't go in, but I walked around taking more pictures
I ended up in Nieuwmarkt, which is another open air market near the old edge of Amsterdam's city limits. This square has been the site of a farmer's market since the 17th century.
I got some OJ at this market because I was thirsty and my throat was sore again. There were vendors selling a few odds and ends, but the majority of them were selling fruit, veg, and flowers.
This is St. Anthony's Gate which used to be a gate into the city of Amsterdam. It's no longer a gate into the city and it performed a bunch of different functions over the years...including a weighing house (for cheese and butter being brought into the city). Now, it contains a cafe.
At this point I was starting to run out of steam and time. I decided to skip the flower market as I really didn't need to buy any bulbs to bring home. I did want to drop off my stuff in the apartment and pick up a couple of things at the Albert Cuyptmarkt. So, I finally made my way back to the tram and back to my neighborhood.
Dropped off crap, rested a bit and made it with a bit of time to spare before the market completely closed up for the day. I got some cheese to bring home and a birthday brownie for after dinner tonight.
Back to the flat and decided I needed to go to the grocery store to re-supply some stuff I used in the flat as well as getting some stuff to bring home. On the way back, I saw something very interesting.
I don't know if you noticed in any of the photos I've posted already, but many of the houses in Amsterdam have a post hanging out over the sidewalk up at roof level with a hook embedded. May of the buildings in Amsterdam used to be warehouses and those hooks were used to hang a pulley from so that goods could be hoisted up to the upper levels. Now, let me show you a picture of the steps up to this flat
Now, these are just the steps from the front door of the flat up to the living area...there are 4 other flights of even narrower, steeper steps before this (not to mention a few other sections of spiral steps). There is NO way you could carry a large piece of furniture (or even a medium piece) up those stairs. So the hooks are still there
Allowing you to haul your new couch in through your front window. Nifty keen!
Ok, I gotta wrap this puppy up. Need to pack and worry about how I'm going to get all my crap down those stairs tomorrow morning all by myself. Where the heck is that pulley???
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