Today is my last day in Amsterdam. Instead of going to The Hague to see a friend, I decided to stay in Amsterdam to see the van Gogh exhibit at The Hermitage, which I missed last Friday. My friends and I woke up early so that we can have plenty of time to roam around before I head back to the hotel at around three to finish packing and leave for the airport around five in the afternoon.
We started walking towards the market where they sell the famous Dutch flowers - the tulip. As we were still early, we got to enjoy the quiet streets and the opening of the shops along the Bloemenmarkt. Again, I just had to buy ref magnets! And take photos of the beautiful flowers, buildings, canals and graffiti (singular: graffito). After this, we went more south to the Rikjsmuseum where the famous "I Amsterdam" signage is located. We tried hard to find the best spot where the whole thing will fit into the shot and fortunately, we got some, although I can't say that it is people-free. There were a lot of tourists there that it kinda makes it hard to fight for a spot for a pose without any of them ruining the shot.
After this, we started walking towards the Albert Cuyp street where it is said that the street market is at its best. Unfortunately, when we arrived there, there was nothing! I thought I misread the map (which is near to impossible!) or got lost but when I asked a lady if that was actually the street, she said that the market is closed on Sundays. Yeah, bummer! So my one companion and I decided to walk again towards our ultimate destination - the van Gogh paintings at the Hermitage. But before that, my friends and I shared our last lunch together at a Mexican place at the corner of the Hermitage. It was a good lunch, with my favorite - pork ribs and fries. Although the food is good, it is also a sad time for me, sharing this lunch one last time with good friends in a wonderful city that I am to leave in a few hours' time. We had laughter, serious conversation, promises of a visit and the likes. Yet I know, it would be quite sometime before I see us all together in one place. Lunch ended and we headed to the Hermitage.
Lucky for us that John insisted that we buy our tickets at Centraal last night because even in the afternoon, the queue to the museum was still long. With our tickets, we were able to skip that and pass on the other door and upon entering the building, we were both very excited with just seeing the van Gogh name. There were lots and lots of van Gogh paintings some of which I am familiar with and others I just saw there and would remember for a long time, like his study of the Potato Eaters. I didn't even realize that van Gogh also painted Japanese style themes. But it was a disappointment (yes, I didn't check) that my favorite painting, Cafe Terrace at Night, was not there. There were still a lot to see but I had to say goodbye to John finally, as I have to go back to the hotel to get my stuff and head to the airport. It was a bittersweet parting and I hope I'd see him again in the near future. He is one of the nicest friends I had in my eight weeks stay in Norway.
At the hotel, my other companion who went his own way after our lunch, was there to help me with my stuff and accompanied me to the train station. I am grateful that he thought of taking me there and helping me with my stuff. There was a long queue at the ticket booth (should have bought it together with the museum ticket last night!) and I got a bit worried when the line wasn't moving as fast as I wanted it to. I didn't want to be left by the train. Eventually though, I got my ticket, my friend helped me with my stuff up to the platform and watied with me. When the train arrived, there was just a swell of passengers trying to get on the train. I found a coach that seemed to still have available seats, turned back and bid my companion goodbye. As we would be seeing each other in two weeks' time, the parting was just a goodbye and see you soon.
The train ride to Schiphol was uneventful with one long stop a few minutes after leaving Amsterdam Centraal.
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