Emma: exploring amsterdam on day 5

3rd March.

Its our day off! Walking around the streets of Amsterdam is still lovely as ever so we explored. The canals that split streets in two; the bare trees lining the streets, fairy lights strung through some of them; the bikes piled everywhere - its picturesque! (well mostly, Amsterdam's red lights are scattered in lanes everywhere.


We went to Anne Frank's house in the morning which was heartbreaking and fascinating at the same time. Seeing the rooms her and her family had to hide in to escape persecution was so sad - especially because the rooms are empty at the request of Anne's father as he wanted the emptiness to serve as a reminder for what was lost. Seeing video and hearing certain people talk about her life after her family were discovered (from the tip off of a yet unknown person) made me almost cry. She has an incredible story.

We had delicious dutch pancakes for lunch!! They were amazing!! I definitely recommend you go get some if your ever in the Netherlands or have some dutch pancake making place close by. After lunch we wondered over to the Sunday markets which just happened to be on the weekend that we are here! Steph and I bought beautiful handmade rings and we got to experience the relaxed, friendly atmosphere of the Dutch people (and their kindness when it was clear we couldn't speak their language!)