Last Day and Anne Frank

Anna and Anne

Today was our last day in Amsterdam and on the trip. In the morning Anna and Courtney went to the market to do a little shopping J and Hal and Garin went to the history museum and bought lunch. After some very yummy strawberries we walked to a boating area where we got on a boat for a tour of a canal which lasted 75 minutes and some of us (cough) took naps on it. It was pretty for the most part but it kept repeating different languages over the intercom which was confusing for a lot of people… or at least our family!

When the ride was over we took a tram to the Anne Frank museum. When we went inside we were told at the desk that (and I quote) “Taking pictures is not allowed so please do not.” As soon as we went into the first room, somebody’s camera flashed. I don’t see why someone would do this seeing as one: the person took a picture of the wall and two: They told us not to and it’s disrespectful. Anyway, after the first room which was basically an introduction to Anne Frank’s life, we went into the second room which was a film of the some of the death camps. It’s really disheartening watching what the Nazis had done to all these poor lifeless people some dead some dying. And then it was like, wow I’m in one of those people’s homes! I am in a historical spot! We walked through a few more rooms filled with articles and sad pictures and then up stairs into the entryway of the hiding apartments. You go into a cupboard area and up more stairs and then you’re in a room that was a bedroom and a kitchen and was about the size of a little office. Right next to it was the bathroom with one toilet and a sink. For eight people. The rest of the apartment consisted of Anne’s and the rest of the group’s teeny tiny bedrooms. They didn’t go outside for three years, and there were 8 of them cooped up in this little area! It really makes you grateful for what you have.

After the museum we went to a little cafeteria where we ate the first night. I had CHICKEN! Mmm Mmm. Now we’re all just sitting at home getting ready to leave tomorrow. It’s been a great trip!