Amsterdam Part Two

The trip to Amsterdam was all that I thought it would be and so much more! We spent the trip relaxing and taking in the beautiful sights that Holland has to offer. It was very neat to tackle the city and then to explore the other cities near Amsterdam also. One of the coolest cities that we went to was Harlem. Harlem is known to be the hub for college students and young professionals as it is more affordable than living right in the city. We stumbled on a great little Italian place for supper and the food was so fresh!

Our last day in Amsterdam lead us to the Anne Frank House. The house is located in the West Market near a very beautiful church. It is said that when Frank and her family went into hiding they knew where they were based upon the distinct sound of the bells in the tower. When we arrived at the Anne Frank House later in the evening it was still packed! After about an hour wait in the warm sun :) we were finally inside. 

I was pleasantly surprised touring the house at how much of the house was able to be viewed by the public. While in the house there were several quotes on the wall which were both simple and elegant. These quotes were those words from Anne's diary. It was impossible not to notice just how little was in the house. Yet, I appreciated it so much as it made the artifacts in the house that much more meaningful. Since her father was still living at the time the exhibit was opened he designed the museum to what he felt was best which I found to be very moving.

In the museum they played videos of those who knew Anne. One video was of her first boyfriend, others of friends. Perhaps the one that was most meaningful was the one of her father. Her father said that Anne entrusted him with her diary and said never to read it which he vowed that he would not and did not. Furthermore, he was amazed at just how intuitive her thoughts in the diary were when he finally read it. The diary is the main focal point of the museum. 

I was so glad to get a chance to see the house as I have grown up with a particular interest in the life of Anne Frank. What she did was so heroic. It was very interesting to see and hear the parts that others played in helping Anne and her family. While being in the museum it put so much into perspective for me. It made me realize just how precious life is, and how lucky I am to have had such an opportunity to call Europe home for three months! It was the trip of a lifetime :)