Sao Darly

Today is a national holiday in the Netherlands. It’s a celebration of the liberation from the German occupation during World War II (1940 to 1945). Yesterday a Memorial Service (Remembrance of the Dead) was held in Amsterdam. During the 2 minute silence observance panic broke out because a crazy homeless man caused the crowd to stampede by yelling out loud which caused a man near him to drop a suitcase. The homeless man is known to the locals as the “rabbi” because he dresses in Jewish Orthodox clothes but he is not a Jew and wanders the streets of Amsterdam.

I was watching the live broadcast of the ceremony like the rest of the country. I even thought about the security and was wondering if there will be an incident like last year on Queen’s Day. We just celebrated Queen’s Day last Friday (April 30) without an incident. Then a couple of minutes later this was unfolding right before my eyes and I was in shock but felt relief for the false alarm.

Panic at the Dam Square on May 04, 2010.

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A tour of the canals in Amsterdam and the typical Dutch street food available around the city.

After making a stop over Buenos Aires, Matt Lauer and team flew straight to the land of tulips and cheese and spent their second day in Amsterdam. Check out the videos below and you just might learn something new about the Netherlands.

Matt Lauer in Amsterdam 1

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The second day of Yong’s visit we went to China Town for lunch after doing some shopping at Magna Plaza Shopping Center. We spent the afternoon at the Museum District. The last evening was spent the Dam Square area. It is a pity that Yong and her family was able to stay here only for two nights. It would take an entire week just to cover Amsterdam city.

Christmas Tree at the Magna Plaza Center

Buddhist Fo Guang Shan “He Hwa” Temple.

Our lunch. Various soups.

Bami Tripe and other parts that I don’t know.

Bami Duck Soup with some other parts.

My bowl of Meat Balls soup.

Please visit Lao Planet’s Gallery for more photos.

Last Thursday and Friday a member of Laoplanet.net and friend Yong came to Amsterdam with her family. I was the unofficial tour guide. On the first day we went to the Dam Square, Bijenkorf Mall, China Town, and the outside skirt of Red Light District (we walked briskly by). Our first meal together was interesting to say the least. I was introduced to duck’s feet and beef tripe as part of Dim Sum menu.

I was waiting for Yong’s train (Thalys) from Paris to arrived.

The Dam Square with the National Monument and De Bijenkorf Shopping Center.

Beef Tripe Dim Sum

Duck’s Feet Dim Sum

The first street or the last street of the Red Light District.

Please visit Laoplanet’s Gallery for more pictures of Yong in Amsterdam.

The first time I saw an Eco Toilet was in the summer of 2003, in Amsterdam of all places. There were a few of these stand-alone toilets for men at de Waag (located on the edge of Amsterdam’s main red light area). I didn’t know what they were so I took a pic. Well one person was using it, lol. Good thing I was far away from him. My question is why can’t people go inside to use the toilet there? The answer could be then they have to pay 30 to 50 euro cents fee.

Eco Toilet

It’s not like you have to try hard to not notice an Eco Toilet standing in the open area. Normally you will run into these portable toilets for light use (relief) during the summer, when there are a great deal of people outside. I have been looking for one of these during the winter months so I can take a picture, just to prove to my friends that they do exist.

Well, I found one last weekend, where else but outside of Sub Way place in Rotterdam. So there I was eating my lunch and tried to not look through the clear glass window to avoid seeing a man or a group of men using this fast and go service. What I find disturbing is the fact there is nothing you can use to clean your hand(s) afterward. Eww…gross…