Frazier Blog

I go to sleep with and eye-mask and two earplugs in. This setup makes sleeping in hostels much easier. Somehow thou I always end up with one or more earplugs missing when I wake up. During the night someone must have closed the window in the room as I woke up warm and in a stuffy room.

The big score was that a spot had opened up at the hostel and I could even stay in the same room. Decent breakfast and I hoped on the hostel computer to see if I could prebuy my Van Gogh ticket. I also looked at hostels for Brussels, not looking good. We will see where I end up sleeping.

Headed for the museum area and already started noticing a orange glow to the city. Took some photos at the I (am)sterdam sign and saw them setting up a huge screen for the game tonight. I think this is where I’ll end up watching the game.

I headed into the Rijksmuseum. Learned some history about the Dutch golden ages and then headed upstairs for the paintings. This museum has a large collection of Rembrandt’s paintings. Rembrandt amazed me. His style and detail stood out above many things I have seen. Saw a large art class there and ended up to talking to a few of them about their trip and the challenges with sketching such impressive works.

Enjoyed some more and then left. The weather was sunny but a little cold. I searched the surrounding blocks for something nicer than a hotdog but cheaper than sit-down. Found it with bagels and beans. Ordered a cappuccino and a everything bagel with pesto and tomato cream cheese. Yum. They even had free wifi. Score. It was too early for a call home thou. Around 6am there. My waiter showed me some other areas of the city to explore and I was off to the Van Gogh museum.

I thought about not doing all these museums while I was in Amsterdam. I am so glad I did. Both showcased phenomenal art that I really enjoyed. I ran into my art student friends again. Pretty funny. We both observed that in the row of paintings we were looking at, Monet did not paint a detailed sky. While I felt a bit tired I was enjoying the art.

I exited and headed back to the hostel to sneak in a nap before Ann Franks house and then the football match. I had been scouting locations all day and while there were some good looking bars I could not pass up the museumplein (square). I watched them setting up earlier in the day and they said they were expecting up to 40,000 people.

Nap recharged me and I was off to Ann Franks house. My other mission was to find an orange shirt or jersey.

I really like the city of Amsterdam. It appears to have great city planning. Reminds me a bit of Portland. Amsterdam has taken things to maturity though. Huge bike lanes, trams everywhere, lots of greenspace and weed is legal. They even have traffic signals for bikes! I loved getting this photo that captured almost every mode of transport in one intersection. Bike, tram, bus, car, pedestrian and even a moped. It is quite a feat watching them all interact. Click to make bigger.

At first finding a shirt presented me with a challenge. Soon however I walked up the right street and saw shirts everywhere. I went with an orange Netherlands jersey. I paid 5 euro more to get it at a real store instead of a souvenir stand. On my way to Ann’s house I continued my tradition of buying fruit off the street and enjoyed an excellent nectarine.

Got a little turned around finding Ann Franks house. However this detour went into the area I wanted to check out anyway. More of the local neighborhood, very charming. The canals really add a nice touch to Amsterdam.

I knew I found the house when I saw the long unmoving line stretching out and around the corner. While the line for Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum were not that long and I could have done without pre-buying I am quite glad i had a reservation for Ann frank. With it I rang a doorbell for a side entrance was buzzed in and walked right in.

Touring the house gave me insight into the life of Ann. The way you are led though the house with video clips, quotes and artifacts creates a very powerful effect. I left frustrated with the continued hatred and discrimination seen in the United States and the rest of the world.

Time to go to the game. My search for food, and beer began.

I joined the orange masses and started looking for food and beer. While I could see dozens of restaurants and bars I wanted something quick. I found a grocery store and followed the crowd to the beer alike. At first glance it looked like all the Heineken was already gone, (gotta drink the local beer) but the mob soon found another stack. Grabbed a six pack abs some Pringles and left.

At about this time I realized I was wearing an orange shirt. I paused for a moment and thought this will be one of the few times I’ll be with a large crowd in orange and cheering for them to win.

My search for food continued. I realized that I was now headed towards the square which would pass by my hostel where plenty of places offer cheap food. I spotted a pastry/sandwich spot and headed in. While getting my food I met Embre and we decided to walk to the game together. Learned more about him grabbed our food and started to walk. The amount of orange shirts reached s fever pitch it slowly transformed throughout the day. Starting at about 1 in 10 and now around 9 out of 10. The thickness of the crowd intensified as we neared the park. It was great to see all people of all different cultures walking together to go cheer on the team. We arrived at the square and surprisingly we kept moving. Apparently the Dutch know how to pack it in. Embre and I pushed Into the crowd and choose a place to stand pretty far forward and a little left of center. We were in the thick of the crowd and had a great view of the giant screen. Successful.

The pre-game energy reached it’s peak as the national anthem finished up. I could tell all these people contained pent up energy and when Netherlands scored would go crazy. Video of The Crowd

The game began and watching with thousands of others was great. Every time Netherlands went on the offensive a roar would gather in the crowd. The outbursts at any sight of a foul against their home country provided great entertainment.

And then it happened. A shot at goal, and it went in! Instantly a group of standing civil Dutch citizens went mental. Road flares were set off, fireworks exploded, people danced, hugged and high fived. I felt bodies hitting me from each direction, insane! I pulled out my phone and started shooting video as the replay started to show. While not as intense the celebration picked back up as we watched the reply. Video: The crowd after a score

Instead of there being a lull after the goal you could feel the whole crowd was even more into the game. As the second goal went in the crowd erupted with even more energy. Soon I heard “olay olay olay olay.” Followed by words I did not understand. I asked a Dutch guy next to me and he explained they were singing “we are the champion we are the champions.” the whole crowd seemed to be singing it at once. Next up was Viva Hollandia, followed by Dutch words.

Half time game and I started talking more with the Dutch group around me. Somehow with the noise and crowd one thought I said I was from the pole to which he responded “north pole?” this became the joke of the night as he kept saying north or south pole and we even talked about elfs.

The third goal set of a an equally impressive celebration. Such fun. When Uruguay scored their first no one seemed to care too much. However when the second went in you could fill the tension increase.

As the end of the anticipated added time neared a countdown began.  However when it reached zero the game was still going as usual. Then whistles and the party started. Fireworks, flares, singing, jumping and highfives. Wait, they are still playing! It was a foul call, the crowd starts watching again and 10 seconds later the game really ends. The party started right back Up. “Tonight’s going to be a good night” came on and whole crowd sung along. My new Dutch friend asked me if was coming with them to the bars and I started walking with them. Video: Amsterdam sings after winning

What a fun walk of singing, random circles of people blowing the horns and just walking up the street with thousands of others. The most controlled celebration I have ever seen. I kept expecting the energy to die down but it never did. There was always someone yelling, cheering or singing. Here is the link to the video. The never ending sea of people kept walking towards an unknown designation but they were not quite about it. The perspective the tram driver had must have been exciting yet frightening at the same time. Video : Walking though the streets of Amsterdam. Watch for how the trams handle it at about 1:15.

I thought this was going to be the one time I got carded my whole trip but then the bouncer started letting everyone in. The bar was fun. I enjoyed how the music went back and forth from Dutch and English music. Exchanged buying rounds and had a good time celebrating with my Dutch friends. I hate having to pay to go to the restroom thou. Should have followed my friends lead and just peed agianst a building. We continued dancing and celebrating for awhile. Then they had to leave to catch trains home and in left with them. Conveniently the bar we were at was right by my hostel. As I approached for the countless time tonight people mistook me for a Dutchman. All I could do these situations was yell Holland and if interaction continued laugh and say I’m American. Talked with this group and then not yet ready for bed did some facebooking and then hit bed.

Sadly this is day 4 of not meeting someone from Australia. The first 16 I felt like I always met at least one.

As I put my earplugs in around 1:30 the street had calmed down somewhat but there was still a constant yelling honking and horns going off.

Holland!!
Paul