Day 11: Leiden/Amsterdam - Day 4

Got up in time to be at the open-air market in Leiden when it opened around 8:00 this morning.  On our way there, the rain found us again, so we had to head back to the apartment for rain gear before we made it to the market.  Despite the rain, the market was busy.

On our way to the market, we saw a man riding a bicycle while holding an umbrella. Muti-talented. 

Fish of all kinds. This booth had fish to take home to cook but others had cooked fish.

Lots of beautiful flowers.

And the candy wagon. 

We had a local delicacy: stroopwafel. 

Then back to the apartment to dry out and warm up. We replaced the roses that were here when we arrived with some flowers from the market, then had some hot tea and sweets:

The weather improved and we decided to take a train to Amsterdam.  As part of our travel documents, we have a Eurail Pass which entitled us to ten days of travel during our two weeks in Europe. We can use it to travel among the cooperating countries. We have used it a lot, traveling in 2nd class. There doesn't seem to be much difference between first and second class. 

Double-decker trains

Bicycle built for three.

Amsterdam Central Station

We used a Rick Steves audio and started our tour. This photo doesn't show it, but the streets were packed. A sunny Saturday in June is probably always like that. 

Looking down the street with fancy houses. 

WWII memorial

We walked to an open area with several entertaining characters. Some of these are ones you would see on the strip; others not so much. 

Then we discovered (with help from Rick Steves) a "hidden church" on a busy street:

We investgated some undocumented areas:

Then it was time for lunch; we ate at a very nice "food court" in a local department store. Fresh food prepared as you ordered. 

See the vegetables!

Although it was sunny, it was still chilly and the wind picked up. We headed back to Leiden, hit the grocery store on the way home, and had sandwiches for dinner. 

I had to get a grocery store photo on here, you know. 

We will have to revisit Amsterdam again; there is much to see.