A delay worked out afterall!

It was Christmas day, our hips buckled on our seats, the 777 was airborne and cruising at 37,000 feet over at the Atlantic when I kissed and greeted my wife "Merry Christmas!". No fancy red wine, but only bottled water were in our hands. It was different, yet happy that we're together like those past Christmas seasons. As a matter of fact, this one was unusual as we normally travel before or after Christmas day if we were to get away for holiday. I guess, we simply wanted to have it a bit different for this holiday adventure, if you would. 

After landing to Schiphol for a connecting flight to Milan, my wife and I agreed to see Dam Quarter. At first we were reluctant, but then we realised that neither both of us want to waste six hours just waiting for a connecting flight.

We headed out anyway.

Getting out from the airport I thought was going to be a headache: overwhelming direction signages, long line up at customs,  confusing instructions of ticket machine, etc.  It turned out upon meeting the custom officer that they are not as intimidating people as I thought. The Dutch officer carried a very good command of English as well! We got out from the airport and headed to "Central Station" with the guide of a friendly American traveller named Markell (she's heading to Berlin) we've met going out from the airport who happened to be heading to The Dam also for sightseeing. From there we took a walk heading to this great open plaza.

Along the way we noticed that Dutch people obviously love biking; a long line of parked bikes and people criss-crossing with them on the streets.

I was captivated with this old structure building turned into a lovely shopping mall standing majestically in one of the major streets there. Walking along one of the canals and seeing this bunch of ferries in their distinctive blue-white painted bodies crowned with multiple little flags was a feast to the eye. The public trams guided by the rails were too close to each other. Although they run cautiously, we always moved and crossed the street with the crowds so as to avoid being hit by it.  Gushing of people from every direction was unbelievable, but I cannot understate the way they carried themselves; you just can't help but admire Dutch women!

So we finally reached the plaza, took quick shots of building structures, alternatively with my wife and occassionally with Markell.

Note: do not miss Madame Tassaud Museum. After 15 minutes, we headed back to Central Station to catch a train going back to Schiphol airport. I had to stop at Sex Museum and took a solo picture at the entrance. Three Euro is needed to get in, but it was the flight schedule that we were chasing after; the wife was getting a bit worried...  

Overall, the atmosphere in that afternoon was fun. Drizzling and wet, but that's a good trade off to see the beauty of its people and the welcoming city of Amsterdam.