We had a great time in Amsterdam.
This was such an easy place to visit! There was a lot to see and do, but it was a manageable amount, not overwhelming. Everyone there spoke English. And when we got tired (or footsore), we could just stop at a place along the nearest canal and get some food and a beer.
I don't have any photos of two of my favorite destinations, the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum, because cameras were not permitted. The Van Gogh museum had a lot of really recognizable paintings, and many others as well. There was one still life painting of some flowers in a vase, and right next to it was the actual vase. I thought that was especially interesting to see. The Anne Frank House was very moving. We got to tour inside the apartment where she stayed in hiding. Amazing.
We went to Leiden for the day, and we rented bikes there to visit Maria Montessori's grave in a town about 9K away. I had a lot of ideas for the pictures I would take along the way of the countryside and of us riding our bikes. But in actuality, it was raining on our way up there and the trip took longer than we thought, so I only had a few minutes at the cemetery before we had to turn back.
I was glad I was able to visit. I wish I had brought flowers.
I'm pretty certain that there are more bicycles than cars in Amsterdam. There are dedicated bike lanes on all of the streets, and WATCH OUT before you cross them!
Amsterdam also had a lot of cats. This one, whom our bartender called Vodka, came in and had a seat at the counter.
Another cat (I didn't catch her name) jumped up on my lap when I sat down on a bench. She didn't even mind that I handed my camera to David to take a picture.
I finished knitting my Featherweight cardigan right before our trip. It's so lightweight that it was easy to keep in my bag just in case I got chilly.
Pattern: Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig
Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr
Needles: US 5s
Modifications: I knitted the collar and edgings in garter stitch instead of ribbing, mainly because I was tired of purling.
David and I realized on the last night that we didn't get any pictures of us together. We took this one on the way to the train station.
It was a great trip, and I'm glad to be back home.
Looks like you had an awesome time :) And I think that the garter edging looks fabulous! Delicious colour, another lovely FO.
Posted by: Sheryl | August 30, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Ooooh! Love the garter collar and hems! I'm just about to hit this point of my featherweight and have been trying to figure out what to do. Thanks! And yours is beautiful!
Posted by: cori w | August 30, 2009 at 10:47 PM
Great sweater! I love that photo and it makes me think there's a lovely joke somewhere: "A cat walks into a bar..." Now I must add Amsterdam to my list of someday destinations!
Posted by: Antoinette | August 31, 2009 at 06:39 AM
Amsterdam is such a fabulous city. Great photos. I especiaaly liek the one of you and the friendly Dutch kitty. Featherweight looks awesome. I'm almost done with mine.
Posted by: Kim | August 31, 2009 at 07:10 AM
What fun pictures! Your cardigan looks lovely, of course; but, I love the pictures from your trip!
Posted by: nova | August 31, 2009 at 12:06 PM
The featherweight cardigan is such a winner, and it's great to have something small enough to tuck into your purse as you're traveling. Lovely color!
Posted by: grumperina | August 31, 2009 at 05:43 PM
Hello - it's Osa from Pins and Needles. I do so enjoy checking in on your blog from time to time! Beautiful projects - great trip and I loved learning how a clambake works. When I saw the grave of Maria Montessori, it occurred to me that it was the Montessori of the education world and this morning I read yesterday's 'Writer's Almanac' online and found out even more about her as 8-31 is her birthday, plus she died the year I was born. Life has the most interesting threads.......
Posted by: Osa Marshall | September 01, 2009 at 07:31 AM
Your featherweight looks fabulous! The color and the garter edging are just perfect. I love these photos from your trip, too!
Posted by: whitney | September 03, 2009 at 12:19 PM