The plane ride to the Netherlands from Florence was uneventful, I wasn’t sad to see Florence on my rear-view. Maybe for some other time, but even that is questionable. When I landed, I got my suitcase and grabbed an Uber to get me to Melinda’s place. (Melinda Mattei, my favorite first cousin). Oh, and it was raining. Why was I not surprised? There’s a reason why the Netherlands is always green…. RAIN. Anyway, it was what it was. It was nice to land in a place with people who spoke English. It was great to see Melinda and her hubby Rob in their new flat in Amsterdam - situated where everything is at your reach. It’s a lovely place.
We went out to dinner and we caught up with my travels and talked about family. We walked around the neighborhood after dinner. They are so close to some major museums, which I was excited about as I still had some unfinished business at the Rijksmuseum the next day. I looked at the time, and it was 10:30pm and still light out. Crazy how that works here.
The next day, I set out to check out the Rijksmuseum - well part of it. I’d seen 1/2 of it in 2019 when I went with John, but somehow we missed the most important painting of all - Van Gogh’s painting, The Night Watchman. So, I decided that I had to see it. We won’t get that confused with what I thought I was seeing - which was Starry Night - which is NOT at the Rijksmuseum, but rather in MOMA in NYC which I found out later. This is why I don’t do museums well. Anyhow, I looked everywhere for this painting and then I finally asked someone - only to find out that it’s been on loan to a gallery in London and has returned but needs to be cleaned and it wouldn’t be on display until July 27. FAIL
Here’s a google image of the painting….
I then headed out to the more touristy section of the city. First stop - FRITES!
After enjoying my frites, I walked around the area. Narrow walkways filled with touristy things. Coffeeshops that don’t sell coffee - you know, that sort of stuff. I had been there many times before and nothing really phased me anymore. I was looking for a sweatshirt or sweatpants, but wasn’t very successful in finding any - in my size or otherwise. I headed back to Melinda’s after a brief stop at the grocery store for snacks.
Favorite Dutch snack!
Second Favorite - brown bread with seeds and Dutch cheese
That evening, Melinda made her famous “Jamie’s Chicken” and afterward we sat out side with cigars and several types of bourbon. It was a great night.
The next day was quiet. Another failed journey to find sweats, but at least I got some walking in. Not many pictures as I’ve seen it all before. It’s just nice to be back in Amsterdam. The afternoon was spent hanging out, reading, adulting - doing adulting things for the first time which was kind of a fail as well - but that’s all I’m saying about that!
The next day, I said my goodbyes to Melinda and Rob as I was heading out to Beets with John and Krijn (and Domino and Lola as well). For Melinda and I, it was a quick goodbye as I’d see her in a week or so for dinner in Paris.
Visiting Beets and staying with John and Krijn is always a relaxing time. Lots of time to hang out, read, chill etc. We did get out though and we took a drive to see some windmills.
Hanging out with Domino
Damn, that Facebook live was a lot of fun. I went to bed that night on a great high. John and I had done a great concert and the day after tomorrow, I was off to London! I was so excited.- until I woke up the next morning with a raging headache and a sense of euphoria - and not the good kind……
Yep - you guessed it. After two tests to make sure, it was official - I was positive with Covid. Oh joy. So, I wasn’t going to let this keep me from going to London. I was ready to buck the virus and head out the next day. Well…. That didn’t happen. I finally took my temperature and realized that I had a fever. So, no London for me. John and Krijn were nice enough to let me stay for the week. I basically held up in my room and napped, watched movies - I even attempted to watch Bridgerton again. It was 5 days or so of ups and downs, letting things go, feeling homesick, etc… but John is the best cheerleader and he and Krijn got me through the week. By Thursday, I was starting to feel normal again, and while I didn’t test everyday, I did end up testing on Friday and I was still positive. Faint-line positive at that, but still positive. I was ready to move on to Paris the next day. John and Krijn continued to test negative - even after I John and I had sung at each other for 3 hours at least the day before I tested positive. Covid is an odd duck.
I donned my mask again and took off for Paris. 2 train rides and I made it in. So glad to be in Paris.
