Amsterdam

Madame Tussaud. I hate this place. It scare the shit out of me 3 years ago, when my Uncle brought me there for the first time. It is a wax museum with impressive live size wax models that look unbelievably real. That wasn’t the scary part. There was this “ghost house” similar to those in amusement park that my uncle brought me into. As soon as the “door of hell” was open, I was immediately greeted by my own image. Stupid mirror. The pathways were extremely narrow with cages on both sides. Some “ghosts” were wax/plastic models, while others are real humans with the most horrible makeup. The joke went a little far when this lady in one of the cages, which I had happily assumed to be fake, jump out of her cage and grab my arm. I screamed out my lungs. I was like a little child for the rest of the walk, burying my head into my uncle’s back. I never knew that I was such a scary cat.

See that tall white thing? This is the Nationaal Monument, built in memory of World War II victims.

Magere Brug. This is a traditional double-leaf Dutch bridge. It is made of African azobe wood.

This is the famous Anne Frank. Remember that book “Diary of Anne Frank”? Well, let me refresh your memory. She is a Jewish German girl who live in Amsterdam (or rather hiding in Amsterdam) during the German occupation in WWII. At that time the Jewish were highly attacked. Holland had about 140,000 Jews before the war and only 16,000 survived. Anne Frank was betrayed to the Nazis and later died in the concentration camp in Bergen-Belsen aged 15. In her diary, she wrote “I want to go on living even after my death!”

Street Performers. Fire swallower and blower. I have posted a video of this guy blowing fire on youtube. If you are interested to watch it, this is the address:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8IO2yEtbxM

I want this too. Why are there only little children in the rink? Is it only for children? I had the urge to just walk in, grab a child and pretend to be his mother, and skate along with him.

And there is the flee market selling everything. From old clothes to broken vase to dirty dolls without a head. Although not expensive but seriously, would you even part with a few cents to buy a doll without a head? And yeah, disgusting shoes for sale too. Shoes that are so worn out that I can’t imagine anybody would even wear their shoe to this state.

Need a new toothbrush? Come in and have a look. Shop specializing in toothbrush and tooth paste. You can find every brand and toothpaste of every possible flavor. Don’t look surprise if you see a tube of chocolate flavoured toothpaste.

Rijksmuseum. Home of the famous “The Night Watch” by Rembrandt 1642. Rembrandt is born in Leiden. Beautiful. I am so old… I am interested in old things, way before my time. Love old arts, especially paintings during the impressionism. Love old music. Singers dead long before I was born. Love old town. Well, that explains why I am in Leiden. Interestingly, I love old folks too. I find it really interesting to sit and listen to their stories. They are just so cute. I have such an old soul. I just can’t believe that I am only 21. Maybe I even look old. Recently, some people had asked me if my husband is Dutch or Singaporean. Husband? Do I look like somebody’s wife? I just can’t wait to bring my grand children out for a bike ride.




What a long bicycle. Typical dutch bikes. A mother cycling down the street to do groceries, bringing her 3 children along and a dog in that crate. So, this bicycle is for 4 humans and one dog. Perhaps 2 dogs. I want this bike too. And I also want 3 kids. I don’t really like dogs, I rather have cats in that crate, or perhaps my forth baby, sleeping soundly in that “crib”.

Vaak Often?


“Vaak” (pronounce as “Fark”) means “often” in Dutch.

Sasha said: “Vaak-Often”
I heard: “Fuck often?” 

SNOWTIME





Cold? Nee, it's cool. Finally some real snow is here. White streets and white scene. Everything is finally white. I love white! It is just so beautiful. Winter is my season.





OH MY GOD! My red bicycle is now white! I am definitely not going to put my butt onto that seat. Thankfully I have a seat cover, or rather a seat cushion made of sheepskin. I love my sheepskin. Comfort for my butt.




This is me, and my dear Sasha. 

This is me, Yusette and Maryam.




This is my snowball. It is about to be smacked onto somebody. Who shall the person be?




This is Sasha’s snowman. Little snow, little man. Let’s hope that there is more snow tomorrow.




A glistening tree. 

Look at this bike. It is so snowy.




Don’t blame me if I bang into you. I can’t see the road.




I just love the snow!!!




Beautiful view