Our last day in Amsterdam I visited three museums, our lord in the attic. Anne Frank’s house, and the Rijksmuseum. When we arrived to our lord in the attic museum, we took a tour throughout the three combined houses. Nonetheless, the three houses seemed very big and obviously big enough to fit a three-story church in the attic. I found it impressive that even in the face of religious discrimination, the Netherland’s tendency for progressiveness shone through, which allowed people to still practice their faith, but behind closed doors. I also found it uplifting to learn that the owners that came after the original church-makers, although practicing a different religion, kept the church intact and allowed it to still run, inside of their own house! Admittedly, I am very particular about my belongings, so I don’t know if I’d have that same selflessness as they did, although I would like to think I would.

I then traveled to the Rijksmuseum, where I managed to see the entire museum in around 4 ish hours. I learned lots about the rich history of Holland and gained insight about the importance of religion that this country held. I got to see Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh paintings, of which my dad was very jealous to learn. I learned about Greek myths, that I saw a lot of paintings of, as well as more religious paintings. One that stuck out to me was a painting of Saint Lucy I think her name was, and the painting was her and her sons being martyred for their beliefs.

Finally, we all met at the Anne Frank house, which was a somber activity but an incredibly interesting and eye-opening experience. I learned that it was three stories, and not just an attic. I saw the layout of the rooms and how the two families lived in there for two years, I learned that Anne was actually very lucky with respect to other stowaways, some of whom had to lay down beneath floorboards for days at a time. I learned more about the geography of World War II and Nazi Germany’s position in the Netherlands. I found this tour very enlightening.