Hi Everyone!
Today we started off our day by taking the tram into Amsterdam for a tour of Our Lord in the Attic. Our Lord in the Attic is a group of three row houses that have been hollowed out in the middle to form an interconnected “shelter,” or hidden church. The church was formed in the 17th century, when Catholicism was not allowed to have churches or to openly practice. The actual church is in the attics of the three houses. On Sundays, over 300 people would gather at this hidden church at its peak. Now, Our Lord in the Attic is not a functioning Catholic church, except on the first Sunday of the month, when the church has received special permission from the bishop to formally operate. This experience illustrated the determination and perseverance people had to maintain their religion. They faced pushback from officials and others but kept their practices. This was a very interesting opportunity and was a great learning experience.
After Our Lord in the Attic, we had some free time and decided to grab lunch. I opted for the classic Amsterdam french fries with orlog sauce (mayo, peanut sauce, and raw onion). This ended up being very scrumptious and well worth it. We then went to an outside cafe and decided to spend the rest of our free time at the Rjiksmuseum. The Rijksmuseum was insane! When walking in, you first encounter Vincent Van Gogh’s self-portrait and many of his famous works. The rooms of art go on and on and on. Various works from various time periods cover the walls of the exhibits. My two favorite exhibits were the portraits of historical figures and the metal etching “photograph” wall. The pure art and talent surrounding me in the galleries were astounding. It was such an enriching experience and felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Next, we had a scheduled tour of the Anne Frank House. Throughout my life, I have always learned about Anne Frank. I have read her diaries and learned through textbooks, but nothing could have prepared me for the actual visit to the annex. This tour was put together very well and had auditory components, while taking the experience at your own pace. It was very surreal to be in the actual location of the atrocities I have learned about from afar. It was well done, somber, and something that everyone who visits Amsterdam should do. I definitely think this experience will live with me for the rest of my life.
Tonight we will pack up our things and leave tomorrow morning for Rotterdam! I have had a great time here in Amsterdam, and I got the chance to explore and experience so much of the city, but on to the next!
See you tomorrow!