Amsterdam

Today we were off to explore Amsterdam .  A twenty minute drive took us to a park and ride where we took a five minute ride into the heart of the city. Not bad at all. 

   The first thing we saw when got off the tram was a bike rental shop. Within minutes Jimmie had secured a deal for us to rent bikes for the day. Now I really am not a fan of bicycling in cities. Last time we did this was in Florence and I almost suffered a mental breakdown. But with that said ,part of traveling is opening up to new ideas ,even if you have tried them in the past and failed. Maybe this time will be different.so against my better judgment I ignored that inside voice telling me I should protest. My feet will gladly walk all day but that bike is a bad idea. So I signed my credit card and off we went. At first it seemed kinda nice. Riding along the water canals on cobble stone streets admiring the beautiful old brick buildings and cafes. It felt remotely safe when I saw that most people who lived here obviously use bikes as their main transportation. I saw people young and old all effortlessly peddling away. I saw many with bikes that had wooden wagons attached to the front of the bikes with babies and young children. No helmets mind you. Not one helmet to be seen in all of holland. I saw and old lady on the back seat of a young mans bike. I even saw a motor scooter with an antique chair attached to the seat and the girl sitting in the chair driving her moped home. They all looked peaceful and happy and not scared for their lives or limbs.  Then there was me and cole. Every car that came up next to us or behind us scared the living crap out of us. Cole kept  saying " this sucks" " I hate this!" I would say " try to relax and enjoy the city it is really beautiful" then under my breath mutter " even if we die here" jimmy crossed a big intersection , Tristan and Brock followed closely behind.cole tried to keep up. We both have as much anxiety about getting left behind as we do getting flattened like a crepe. Cole pursed after them .I was behind .The cars were speeding around the corner. They didn't hit the breaks and then he saw them, hesitated but was not out of their way. I saw in my minds eye my beautiful boy dying in front of me. Without thinking I pedaled as quickly as possible and let out the most blood curling scream that came from the bottom of my toes and rippled through my flesh and out my throat in a roar I didn't know was possible for me to muster. I stopped in front of the cars and threw my arms up as if I could stop the cars. Well apparently it worked the cars stopped cole was safe on the other side. I think everyone in all of holland heard me. 

  When I got to the other side the first thing I said is " this sucks!" " this is stupid I hate this!" 

   Cole was crying he was so scared. The only comfort came from a very sweet older gentlemen who approached me put  his hand on my shoulder looked at cole and said " your mother is like a lion she almost killed herself trying to save you she would do anything for you" 

  That was so kind of that man I almost hugged him. The ride back wasn't much better cole at one point said " I'm just dropping this bike down on the ground and walking home" yes to us ,this was not fun.  

   We spoke to a local man and I asked him about the rules of bike riding in Amsterdam he smiled and said " the only rule, is there are no rules" so in this land of helmet less people the only rule is no rules. Hmm I don't know how they do it. This is one way I will just never fit In. Next time were in the city it's my feet that are going to get me around.

   On a positive note we went to the Van Gogh museum. How wonderful to see these priceless paintings so close. I loved the privelge and felt very inspired.The boys also loved being at the museum . ( free wifi was available) Ann franks museum was another sobering highlight. Poor sweet girl . She loved to write, so do I ,so with that I feel I relate to her. One thing that stands out to me from my visit there is the words of her father ( the only survivor in her family) " I thought I knew Anne we had a good relationship , but it wasn't until I read her diary I realized no one really knows their children." What a humble thought. What a sad way to get to know your child, by reading their expressions after they are already gone. 

   Overall it was a good day. We finished the night off with some Thai food and I'm hoping to sleep well. 

   Just a side note Brock would love some readers for his blog brocksarock1.blogspot.com.

  Goodnight and sweet dreams