The Return Trip

So, today is the final day my feet will be upon European soil.  I'm looking forward to the trip home and I'm looking forward to being home amongst my "things" and my precious Ben.  But I have to get there first.

The picture above is a picture of Melinda's Fiat, "Minty", which took me to the airport.  I said my goodbyes and checked in.  Of course, my suitcase was over the limit and I didn't have the energy to re-pack, so I paid the fee and was on my way.  I got a sandwich and a coffee at Starbucks and did a little last minute shopping and bought some Dutch cheese to take home.  The flight to London was short and sweet, I think I napped a little before take-off.  When I got to London, I had to take a shuttle to transfer to another terminal.  Heathrow airport is a hot mess.  I hope they do something about it soon.  I checked in again and got some snacks and such and before I knew it, it was time to board.

The flight home was long and somewhat tedious.  The person in front of me decided to put her chair back all the way about 1/3 of the way of the flight so there went my movie viewing or anything like that.  I napped on and off, the food was decent, the two women in my row were nice, also.  I was thankful to get to SFO. I went through customs and had to go through a special line because of the cheese.

After a little issue with transportation, I took a cab back to OLA and got my car and then picked up my keys from Mom's house.  I then proceeded to head to Palo Alto for a "Big Fish" rehearsal as I was missing them terribly when I was in Europe.  In hindsight, it wasn't the best idea, but I loved seeing everyone.

The final part of my return was to pick up Ben from Judy's house. He was really happy to see me, until he wasn't.

And he really wasn't happy to see me when he received his gift

What he doesn't know is that the hat will be part of his Halloween costume this year!

Well folks, this marks the end of the European Vacation.  I still dream about Venice and being at the Vatican.  I spend my days listening to the newest song written for Starlight Express --

Here it is in English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNuGPcR4LiQ

Stay tuned for more from the Maestro as we head into a new school year, a very busy fall, and an exciting Winter.

Ciao for now,

Maestro 

Amsterdam - Day 2

Hey everyone -

My day began sort of late as I didn't sleep well during the night.  I think I was stressing over what was awaiting me upon my arrival back in the USA.  Anyway, I sucked it up and moved on.
Melinda drove me to the ferry - armed with my awesome new jacket and umbrella because the rain just wasn't going to stop while I was here - and away I went.

My first stop was St Nicholas church.  Much to my surprise, there was Mass being said in English that afternoon at 12:30 so I stayed and went to Mass.  After Mass I took some pictures of inside of St Nicholas.

Baptismal Font

Altar and tabernacle

Pipes!!  What else??

After Mass and pictures, I headed to my next destination, in which I had to venture into the Red Light District of Amsterdam.  Originally, Melinda asked me to save that section so we could walk around together, but if I wanted to go to my next destination, I had to walk through the Red Light District.  I ended up here

There was a time in Amsterdam when it was against the law that Catholic's were not allowed to practice their religion.  So, all of these secret churches were popping up.  This certain church, Our Lord in the Attic was one that was maintained and kept as a museum.  It's rather fascinating, right down to the pipe organ!!  Here's a picture tour...

Picture above the fireplace

Fireplace 

This was cool, may have been the Stations of the Cross

Stove for heat

Holy Water font

After climbing several staircases - narrow ones at that - I came upon the church in the attic.

Pipes for a mini pipe organ - that was cool!!

Organ Console behind the pipes

Altar

Looking down from the balcony

Vestments

Another view looking down

Sacristy

Looking down from the second balcony

Sanctuary Lamp

Mary's Altar

Very steep stairs.  FACT - evidently, most of the staircases in Amsterdam are like this because it costs less to build as buildings are charged by the square foot. So, the more compact, the better.  Very scary!!! 

Bed in the wall 

Confessional - empty as usual!!

I found my time at Our Lord in the Attic quite fascinating.  It's a definite "must see" if you find yourself in Amsterdam, especially if you are/was Catholic.  

Next stop was the "Old Church" -- which after a while, I found wasn't really a church at all.  But it was at one time.  Now it seemed to be used for gatherings, art displays, etc.  Actually, when I paid my admission and went in, the lady in the booth told me they were just finishing up a funeral.  I spent a lot of my time looking for an altar, which I found none - then I realized it wasn't a church anymore.

This was an interesting display of art

This was on the floor near the art

Lots of pipes!!!  Evidently, there are 3 organs in this church.  This was the biggest one from what I can tell and is used quite a bit for concerts

More art

A model of something, probably a church

Pipes for the second smaller organ.  

This was an interesting stature.  The head was an orb of some type

This was the closest I could find to an altar, but it wasn't one

Windows

I think this is the third and smallest organ.  Pipes are most likely enclosed in the cabinet.

Here is the outside of the "Old Church".  It was pouring when I got outside

I braved the rain and took off to my next destination.  

Raegena talked to me about the traveling pipe organ, and by a stroke of luck, in the rain, I found it on one of the main streets of Amsterdam

Begijnhof is a residential area behind a simple doorway right off on of the main streets of Amsterdam.  It's crazy, on the other side of this wall are high fashion stores, etc and then there is this very calm and peaceful area, which is also a residential area.    This quiet courtyard has sheltered women since 1346.  This was for centuries the home of a community of Beguines - pious and simple women who removed themselves from the world at large to dedicate their lives to God.  When it was first established it literally was a "women's island" a circle of houses facing a peaceful courtyard, surrounded by water.

A lovely grassy area, and several residences

Statue of Jesus

Inside one of the churches in the Begijnhof - The English Reformed Church

Pipe organ - pipes are enclosed in the cabinet.

Pipes for the pipe organ in the loft

Outside of the church

Next was the Catholic Church, which from the outside was nondescript because of the issues with the Catholics having to secretly worship in Amsterdam.

Loved this sign. Of course, the English is being hit by the sunlight!

Pipes - I think these are the last pipes of the trip :(

OMG!!!!  Is that a PIANO?????

Console for the pipe organ

Stained glass

Altar

Statue of one of the Charitable Sisters that resided in this really cool area

This building dates back to 1477 and it's totally made of wood and it's the city's oldest house.

I decided to take a canal cruise.  You know, Amsterdam is often referred to as Venezia de Norte because of it's miles of canals.  I bought my ticket and boarded the boat.  

I wish I could tell you what I was seeing on this canal cruise.  But I was siting with these 3 young people who obviously were not on the cruise to see the sights, but to catch up on life, drama, and whatever.  I could tell you what they were talking about, because for the most part it was in English, but what I got ticked off about was that I could NOT hear the narration and they didn't seem to care.  It was quite a waste of an hour and a half, and here is the one picture I got from the boat

This is suppose to be a picture of a place on the cruise where when you're positioned correctly, you can see 7 bridges at once.  I obviously missed the opportunity.

After the cruise, I met up with Melinda and Rob for dinner.  Here are some pictures from our dinner.

Some authentic Dutch cuisine - herring on a bed of beets.  DEEEEELISH!!!!

Caesar Salad - with eggs??  That's the way I'm making my Caesar salads form now on!!!

 Rob had a lovely shrimp appetizer which I heard was really yummy

Yeah, so on this plate was a Dutch steak.  I obviously loved it as I forgot to take a picture of the steak

Dessert - something with berries!

After dinner I finally found out why the Red Light District is called the Red Light District.  I seriously didn't know. 

Here's a picture from Google images that's safe for work but shows the red light.  Just picture scantily clad women in the windows and you'll get the idea.

Here's a pic from across the canal.

The same pic with Rob 

Nice pic with the clouds in the background

And finally, the best hosts in Amsterdam, Melinda and Rob!!

And this ends my time in Amsterdam.  I must return sometime and finish what I've begun.  There's still those coffeehouse's to explore, but I think I'll leave the red lights to others.

Maestro