Walking Around Amsterdam




  After a three and a half hour train ride, I was happy to be able to walk around Amsterdam. Although it was sunny, it was more colder compared to London and Paris. Our hotel was right across from De Bijenkorf, the biggest and most famous department store in Amsterdam. Also, it's located right next to the Royal Palace. I wanted to visit the palace, but sadly we didn't have time because of our short stay.



Cute doggie posing for the camera 




 Aside from Anne Frank's House, what I was most excited to see in Amsterdam was the canals. Before searching for the canals and seeing a glimpse of the secret annex, we headed out to a Indonesian restaurant close to our hotel, because we were all so hungry as we didn't get to eat lunch in the train. The taste of the food was different compared to the Indonesian food I eat here in Jakarta, but I didn't care because I was super duper hangry. 
  On the way to see the canals, I took a few snaps of cute little streets and of course, the small buildings. I've never seen anything like that! It's the cutest thing <3 and of course, almost everyone there rode a bicycle which nearly ran me over a couple of times (HA :P).





  The color of the river doesn't look appealing, but the boats and buildings running alongside is what caught my eye. Maybe most people wouldn't consider canals as something special, but I do. There's just something romantic about it. Maybe because I saw TFIOS :P




  Since the secret annex was only a fifteen minute walk from out hotel, we decided to get a glimpse of it before actually visiting it the next day. The line was insane! Especially because it was sunny, many people were bracing to stay in line for hours to be able to see Anne's life unravel inside the annex.       I've been wanting to go there for years, and to be able to see it right before my eyes was wonderful. I felt blessed, and to think that Anne was captured and taken away right in front of the annex broke my heart all over again. Reading her diary teared me up, but seeing the place where she hid for two years was truly heartbreaking. What made me sad about Anne's story was that if she could've lived for a couple of months more, she would've survived. She would've made it through the liberation, and she could've got freedom. Sadly, only her dad survived the Holocaust. Until now, I still imagine what would happen if Anne made it through the Holocaust.
  After a couple of minutes staring at the place where she hid in, I reflected on life. I thought of how lucky I am to be able to live in a house, to be able to have an amazing family that loves me for who I am and to have freedom. Because back in the days, not everyone gets to have freedom. So I just want you to know that you should be thankful to God for what He's done for you. No matter how small the matter of goodness you have in life, it's still something you should be thankful for.



  After having a moment right by the secret annex, we sat by the river for a couple of minutes right behind the clock tower next to Anne Frank's house. Afterwards we walked back to the hotel and on the way there, my sister and I stopped by a dessert shop to have crêpes. I wanted to eat the ice cream, but because it was cold outside I didn't. So that was my first day in Amsterdam! An emotional one, but one that I would remember for the rest of my life. 

Much love, Ashley xxx 

Comments

  1. Sounds like you had an amazing first day in Amsterdam. I'm hoping to visit next summer, I really want to go!

    The Velvet Black | UK Style & Beauty Blog

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    1. You should! Just keep in mind to bring some warm clothing, just in case it gets cold! It's such a beautiful city.

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