Jet Lagged In Amsterdam

Wednesday September 7, 2011

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Rainy, Blustery and Moody

 

Hello from the beautiful city of Amsterdam.  I arrived today after a 10 hour or so flight from LAX.  I did not sleep at all on the packed flight and did not have much room to work so ended up watching several movies on the KLM flight.  The ones I loved in order are: El Bulli ( a must see for foodies, VERY interesting how this famous restaurant came up with the seasonal menus), Midnight in Paris(Woody Allen does Paris justice) and Lincoln Lawyer (good airplane movie). 

Anyhow, plane arrived early around 830am but it took over an hour to go through security and by the time I got a cab and got to the "Fashion Hotel" – (yes the same hotel from last year but I have a MUCH better room) it was close to 11am.  Made the mistake of lying on the bed after unpacking, passed out and woke up in a panic that I missed my appointments at IBC!  You see, I'm here for a grueling conference that goes 5 days straight starting on Friday and through the weekend!  Anyhow, I did not miss any appointments but got me so stressed that I developed a headache.

Soooo, took some drugs and instead of hanging inside the hotel decided to go to Rembrandt's House which is now a museum.  It's one place I haven't been to in Amsterdam, mainly because it's always packed with people.  Anyhow, I took the tram No. 1 from the hotel and made it to Rembrandt's House by 420pm.  Was told they close at 5pm but because I asked the attendants so many questions, they let me stay until 5:15 or so.   Fascinating place and a must see.   I've wanted to go there ever since my work buddies Peter, Frank and I made it to the Rijks Museum (few IBCs ago) about 10 minutes before closing time and begged the attendants to let us in as we really wanted to see Rembrandt's Night Watch in person.  They let us in at no charge and all three of us were directed immediately to the painting and stared at it in awe.  You must see in person to see the genious of Rembrandt.  The way he plays with shadows and light is majestic. 

While at the "house" I learned that Rembrandt was not only an accomplished painter but an etcher and printmaker.  I also learned that Netherlands was the center of printmaking in the 1600s. 

Rembrandt's house is a traditional dutch house with narrow stair cases.  He seems like a big guy in the paintings so I wonder how he got up and down the stairs.   .  Here are some photos from the visit:

Upon entering, you are greeted by one of his paintings

 

and the muse

In the study is a portrait of Eleezar Swalmius which was done in 1637 but was effectively confined to oblivion in 1969, when the leading Rembrandt expert of the time could not verify its authenticiy.  Fast forward to 2008, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp removed the layers of varnish and to everyone's surprise uncovered the painting in perfect condiditon  It was also assessed to be an original based on significant studies done by the group.  So now it's on loan and hanging for one to get a close up look  at the Rembrandt Museum.  And because Rembrandt rarely did portraits after 1636, this painting is now an important one.

It is here in the etching studio, I learned Rembrandt was an etcher.  He would have been a photographer too if they existed during his time, me thinks.

I Want!

View of the drawing room from an upstairs window.  Walls covered in his and his students paintings

I also learned that Rembrandt was an avid collector.  He was able to buy this grand house because of his wealthy wife according to rumors.  Well he sure liked to spend monies because the collection alone is mingbongling: seashells, weaponry, Roman Busts, Chinese and Japanese pottery.  No wonder he went bankrupt!

But the highliht is his studio. At that time, it was the largest artist studio in Amsterdman.  Unlike the other rooms, light came from many directions and it's pretty cool that one can be in the same room where Rembrandt created his masterpieces.

Paint display and his tools

The house has also many of his important prints and etchings displayed.  Look at the intricacies of yhe one below.  The guy was definitely a genius

As I walked out of the museum, I was greeted with pouring rain.  As I did not have my umbrella, I snuck in the the Rembrandt Corner Cafe next door.  I knew it was going to be a tourist trap but hey, better than getting soaked.  So while I ate an OK fried fish and chips, the rain stopped and had an idea to walk back to the hotel following the No. 1 tram.  Got the OK to start exercising again after a badly sprained anke incident so decided to test it with the walk.  Here are scenes from the walk.

First my High Cholesterol Lunch

Walking towards the DAM from Rembrandt's House

Passed my many flower shops

And an occasional crooked building

When I thought I lost the tram tracks I followed the signs.  I knew I had to go toward the flower market and Leidseplein.

If it weren't raining, I would have gone to the Cafe Luxembourg for Dutch snacks and a glass of wine on the Spui for lunch.

And I walked past some funky stores.  I can never get enough of this

These are tea bag holders!

 

Required bike and canal shot

Fast Food Candy and Cereal shop

The Leidseplein was pretty subdued.   A very different scene after 10 pm

And another beautiful canal

I found a really cool market called MARKT.  If time allows, I'm going to buy some goodies there.  I'm hoping they can vacuum pack the cheese to take back too.

Another very cool store. Everything is made out os sea shells.  This store and Markt is on the main drag to our hotel.  It seems the street if filled with furniture, antique and interior decorating shops

Workers going home

Love these gardenias shaped like Christmas trees

The No. 1 tram line that I followed back to the hotel

So was going to finish posting this at 8pm Wednesday last night.  Took a precription sleeping pill,  fell asleep quckly but have been wide awake since 215am.  So took another pill, and while waiting for it to take effect, finished the blog and it is now 345AM.  Sigh, I need to get up in an hour and 45 min….  jetlagged in Amsterdam