Amsterdam - March 16th

I packed everything up - I had to check out of the hotel. I planned to take the overnight train to Munich and needed to vacate the room. I had all my valuables on me and the duffel had all my clothes. First stop - Centraal Station - I needed to make sure I could reserve the overnight train. The night before on my walk, I stopped by the office, but they were closed.

Enter, take a ticket, have a seat. Here on the German side of eurail network, I expected this to take a half hour. Well it took 10 minutes. Just tell them where and when you want to go. I can only imagine how fast the matrix code rolled down the screen, to help her process me efficiently as possible. She told me that the only bed available was in a 4 bed chamber. They did have couchettes available. "Sure sounds good."

I was free until 8pm. Next stop Van Gogh Museum. I took the bus to die museumplein and walked around the museum while waiting for it to open. They had a special exhibition of Rembrandt v. Caravaggio. Similar subjects painted by both. Caravaggio paintings look like snapshots. Rembrandts are recreations from memory. (deep huh?) Its impossible for me to describe the nuances of these two masters. Caravaggio's subject jump off the canvas, and look as if they are there with you. Rembrandts are on the wall and you are looking in to the scene he created.

Needless to say, but I was overwhelmed by their choices when creating these historical events. I moved slowly from one pair to another, while the narration played in my ears. English, yes my favorite language.

After this, I moved on to the namesake of the museum.
FACT: Most of his work was produced in a 10 year period.
FACT: He was crazy and he knew it.
FACT: He attempted suicide twice - the second time worked.
FACT: His brother was so devastated about Vincent's death, that he passes 6 months later.
FACT: Vincent Van Gogh proves that sometimes you have to die to become famous.
FACT: He only sold one painting while he was alive.

He was a burden on his brother most of his life. A troubled man that most likely suffered from a form of epilepsy. On this trip, I tried to learn about the artists lifes. More FACTS later.

His most famous works are on the road to other museums, but I did see four others from the Sunflower painting sessions though - which was neat - I guess. He used a lot of paint. I wondered if he just squeezed it out onto the canvas them took his lunch spoon and added texture to the paint. Some of the pieces, look like he ripped it out in 20 minutes and moved on to the next. With the facts about his mental illness bouncing around in my head, I couldn't appreciate what was on display.

Luckily, I had a combo ticket to the Rijksmuseum to see all the dutch masters and The Dutch Masters.



By the way, these are the back door. The front door is below.



Last time I was here, Rembrandt's The Night Watch held me captive for over 45 minutes. I slowly made my way around admiring all the wonderful paintings. Portraits, landscapes, still life... I turned the corner and its own room it attempted to hypnotize me again. There was a group of kids sitting on the floor, in from of it. These were second or third graders. I'm thinking that there is no way that even one of those kids is enthralled by this. The teacher keeps talking to them in Dutch. Which means I have no idea what is said.

I ASSUME:
Gerthrud (cute little blonde child) asks the teacher, if this is a movie theater.
No Gert, he replies, this is a painting.
Bertolh's hand is up in a flash and waving frantically.
Yes Bert, what is your question, the teacher asks cautiously
Is dat oil paint - could my father use it in his car.
The teacher rolls his eyes.
The museum guide asks the teacher to gather up the munchkins and make room for the other patrons. So cute - ah children - they are like sponges at that age - now get out of the way.

I think I was museumed out for the day. I stop for dinner before going to the train station, via the hotel, for my bag.

At the train station, I grab some munchies for the overnight ride. and make my way to the platform. I learn about car numbers and where the bar/food cars are. Almost time to depart, better get on board.

What a shock. I thought I took pictures of these 'couchettes.' Its a seat that reclines. Well it rotates more than it reclines. It looked like something out of a science fiction movie. I thought I was in the movie "Total Recall" on my way to Mars. Images of "Abbott and Costello go to Mars" came to mind also.

And - lucky for me, I was in the last car before the bar car, so everyone who needed food or drink walked past me. I was very tired and slept through most of it. I'm so glad that there weren't many people on board. It could have been miserable.


Actually, it was.
Next stop Munich





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