April is Amsterdam's Tulip Festival in 85 locations around the city during a month that is still in lockdown, which is another way of saying it's not for tourists...but for the locals.
And for any of us nearby who just happen to have business there!
Such was the case for Astrid and me a week ago today when we had a business appointment at the American Embassy at 11:30 a.m. Lucky for us, the embassy is at the Museumplein where Van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum keep watch, as well as a handy underground parking garage.
Talk about a perfect spot, especially since THIS was one of the 85 locations for a tulip display!
That's the world-famous Rijksmuseum!
The pool in front of it is used all year 'round for any number of things.
Right now it's for showcasing the tulips.
With your back to the Rijksmuseum, all the way at the end of the open field is the Concert Hall.
It's where we had tickets to Mozart's Requiem back in 2013, which we'll never forget.
[Out of the image to the left is the American Embassy.]
Back to the Rijksmuseum, now that you have the lay of the land.
Through that center archway is a through-way for pedestrians and cyclists,
either side of which you can peek into the common areas that are now empty of tourists.
It's a fast way to get from the front to the back of the museum without going around Robin Hood's barn!
For all the times I've seen this museum, I never tire of the easy-to-miss details.
If you don't look up, you have no idea what's there, much of which I'm sure I've still missed.
But back to the tulips.
At the sides of the pond are these huge pots with one tulip variety in each.
"A tulip for every Amsterdamer."
Who knew there could be so many different, exotic varieties!
With the embassy appointment over in time for lunch, we already knew our plan:
Walk over to our favorite Wagamama noodle bar a couple blocks away for takeout.
It's in the same courtyard as Hard Rock Cafe and the Irish Pub, all closed for inside dining.
Lucky for us, the Irish Pub also had takeout, from where we bought our Magner's cider.
OMG! This is Happy Food for us, especially on a cold but sunny day.
But did I mention that no public toilets were open anywhere????
Takeout places would lose their license if they allowed us in for their WC.
(And thus only one bottle of Magner's!)
So we walked back right away to the Museumplein for our car and drove home.
We spent a total of 5 hours that day on our venture, with only 3 hours in Amsterdam.
Not a usual plan but totally worth it!
This is the time to smell the roses tulips. Just do it!
