Blog # 13: Cruise Comes To An End - Amsterdam Is Next

Blog # 13: Cruise Comes To An End - Amsterdam Is Next

We Met Ken and Mimi On The Cruise. When They Return To Japan, Not Only Will They Explore The Possibility Of Translating Jerry's Christmas Book Into Japanese, They Will Also Research A Japanese Family That worked With Jerry's Grandfather In The Tokyo Area During The WWI Era

The Cruise Sadly Ends. 

Laundry Is Returned Folded; Ready For Packing  

True To Form, There Was A Sunset The Last Day Of The Cruise

We Had A Wonderful Time. Excellent Food And Entertainment. Tours Were Informative. Guides Were Great Perhaps We'll Have An Opportunity To Return Someday

The Cast Put On An Abba Show The Last Night Of The Cruise

An Abba Sing-A-Long

Amsterdam: More Adventures For Us

An Unexpected Fun Time Learning About The Canals

The Canal Museum Was Originally A Fancy Home

There Was An Excellent 3-D Audio-Visual Presentation 

Clever Animated Background Presentation

We Leaned About The Initial Design And Evolution Of The Canals

Final Design And Home/Building Locations

City Planners Stressed Homes Should Have A Garden 

To Avoid Water Damage, Heavy-duty Wooden Poles Were Pounded Into The Ground To Be Used As A Foundation

Miniature (Doll) Houses Were Built To Allow Visitors To Peer Into The Windows To Learn About Everyday Life. A Listening Device  Told A Story About What Was Occurring

Music And Explanation About Family Entertainment

The Canal's Finished Look

We Visited An Old (Furnished) Home... 

...Still Intact And Open To Visit

The Home Was Donated To The City Following The Death Of The Last Family Member

This Clock Still Works

The Parlor And Living Area Was For Socializing With Guests

Left Photo: Room For The Men To Socialize, Smoke Cigars, Etc.

Many Beautiful Items Purchased From France

Ornate Door Handle 

The Basement Was Used As The Kitchen. The Staircase Leads To All Four Stories

Ornate Bedroom

Across From The Bed Is A Desk Used For Washing; Perhaps Also For Writing Letters. A Chamber Pot Is On Floor Under The Desk

Cabinet Used To Keep Antiques

Typical Fancy Home's Garden

Jerry, Not Being Bashful, Entered A Room Not Part Of The House, And Found This Brochure And Women Sewing Fabric

 Two Women Are Participating In a National Event To Sew Fabrics Based On a Given Design

We Had An Unexpected And Lovely Conversation Discussing The Project As Well As Issues Dealing With Indonesia During A Period When That Country Was a Dutch Colony. (Jerry Knew Facts About The Colonial Period)

By Chance, Jerry Mentioned Something In Spanish Resulting In The Woman Responding In Spanish. This Woman Speaks Many Languages 

Lunch Break 

              Looking Around Often Reveals Interesting Things