Amsterdam

I liked Amsterdam so much from my first acquaintance with her in 1982 that i made it my starting point in Europe again. Also it was a Thai Airways destination.

This is most likely the lake in Vondelpark. I probably stayed at the Vondelpark Youth Hostel, or if that was unavailable, the Hans Brinker Hotel. A look at reviews today shows that it's just as, er, basic, as in those days and draws wildly divergent reviews from people who are turned off to people who cannot be shocked. Anyway I remember nothing of the hostel so it must have been no disappointment.

Incidentally Hans Brinker is a novel, written by a USAn who had never been there before publishing, that dramatises Dutch life. The story contains the fable of the boy and the dike. The Dutch are not hesitant to adapt foreign myths if it attracts visitors.

Possibly in the Jordaan district from the water gates, but someone who knows will take to task if I'm wrong.

I remember asking at the tourist office about the Cheese Market of Alkmaar. The staff exchanged some looks, perhaps meaning: Hmm, another visitor looking for stereotype sights. In the event it was too late in the day for that. So I may have ended up in Marken/Volendam/Edam instead.

Nothing happening except one tourist wandering around looking for something recognisably Dutch to photograph.

But I did stumble across this clog maker demonstrating. Quite a lot of wood wasted, as you can see.