Playing at Tour Guide

No matter what the temperature tells me, Mother Nature is telling me that it’s Spring!

 photo IMG_2679_zps2f6c6913.jpg

So much has happened since getting back from Prague! We still had our travel companions staying with us for several days once we returned home, but we continued on with our normal weekly routine as well, so there were still Language classes for me in amongst all the sight seeing.

When our friends headed back to Australia that was when the plague descended upon the household. I don’t remember much of that week. I was sick enough that I didn’t make it to my first Dutch Class. I had no voice, and I didn’t really think anyone else wanted to get my fever or cough.

That week though, ended with some other friends in town who I haven’t seen in years! It really is a wonderful experience to be able to show off our beautiful city to people we have known since childhood, but not seen or really spoken to in fifteen years.

 photo IMG_2689_zpsf1a8df8b.jpg

Combining sight seeing with catching up is a great way to spend several days. Would you like to know more?

Sunday Market

We were introduced to a new market by friends today, the Sunday Market at Westergasfabriek. Being cold and wet, I think we spent more time inside than out, though there were some beautiful things to see, and food to sample all over!

Photobucket

As you can see, the weather doesn’t put anyone off, they just rug up for it. It’s a very popular market. I think it doesn’t hurt that it’s only on once a month rather than every week like some other markets.

Photobucket

It’s a hand-made and crafters market, which reminded me a lot of the Bus Depot Market in Canberra. There were a fair few similar stalls!

Photobucket

It was also a wonderful place to begin the mammoth task of Giftmas shopping for 2012!

Photobucket

It doesn’t hurt to be prepared, just in case the world doesn’t come to an end.

Fabric Frenzy

I appear to have inadvertently found my way into Amsterdam’s Fabric Mecca at the Albert Cuypmarkt.

I could draw so much inspiration from these furnishing fabrics! I can’t tell you how much it makes me look forward to all out stuff arriving!

Photobucket

But that’s just the beginning! Check these out!

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

And the jewels of the day were these …

Photobucket

Photobucket

I can’t wait to have a sewing machine again!

Albert Cuypmarkt

Through the cold (12C) and the rain, I made my way via the number 24 tram to the Albert Cuypmarkt. As you get off the tram, it’s a fairly unassuming looking street.

Photobucket

It was a wonderful market. They seem to have a little bit of everything. There’s the organic food, beginning with the ever present cheese.

Photobucket

There were also stalls of every fruit and vegetable imaginable, and fish mongers.

Photobucket

There were sweets too. Poffertjes and Stroopwafels.

Photobucket

There were some delectable summer dresses which I would actually consider wearing!

Photobucket

Though with the weather the way it was, I wasn’t tempted to try them on right then and there!

Photobucket

And check out these gumboots with heels!

Photobucket

It was nice to see flowers in pots and growing, not just cut for vases from florists.

Photobucket

There really was a little bit of everything! (I want a blue one)

Photobucket

And of course, being Amsterdam, there were several bicycle stalls!

Photobucket

I can’t wait to start decorating and riding my bike!