Friday, May 8, 2026

Europe Blog # 2 - Amsterdam

                                                                  Amsterdam


Small pancakes and mini waffles are typical in Amsterdam.


Does anyone know what is De Ruijter? They are sprinkles! 


We visited the royal palace. Gold crowns are on the four corners of the roof.

                              Who is the "real " royal?



Immense hallways

Audio tour helps visitors understand the purpose of each of the 21 rooms we were permitted to see. It's a five story building. Visitors are permitted on the first floor.


Living quarters and work areas are filled with period furniture belonging to the royal family

    Rooms are darkened to keep the sun from fading the material

                 The king was at the palace two days ago



This is the window (and balcony) where the king and queen waves to the crowds

                      Queen mother dressed in formal gown

                         Royal family from older times

The palace also has a courtroom where criminals were tried and convicted. About four people were condemned to death each year.

                    Next stop: The Jewish museum - Torah covers  


Jerry has an English friend that goes to services at a local (London) synagogue. Currently the temple leaders wear top hats like in the picture.

                                Circumcision equipment

            Synagogue has a small kosher restaurant and store

                                        Small temple cooking library

Fun experience where this museum was actually Rembrandt's home

          This room used to meet clients on building's street level

This home has very narrow staircases to reach all five floor levels
                                       One of the bedrooms

Kitchen area: There are only a few personal items of Rembrandt in this room that still remain.

The bed is called a "box bed." It is about three feet wide and five feet long. Rembrandt and his wife actually used this bed. Tight quarters!

            Work area has plenty of necessary light used for painting

                                    Some of his work items

Often, Rembrandt would paint during periods that had the same theme: Contemplation

Action, activity

Portraits

          He experimented with print making using copper plates

             Also tried using different types of paper surfaces

    We sat on a bench overlooking the canal looking at this pretty bike


    Left photo: Old and New --- Right photo is a 1695 building



        Huge Portuguese synagogue - constructed in the late 1600's - still used today 

The synagogue provides an opportunity for patrons to plan, design and sew together materials for torah coverings and other items. 

We always wondered how coverings were planned. Now we know!

The lower level of the synagogue is called "The Treasury." The complex is filled with Judaica items.

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