Hello Amsterdam!

Patty and I arrived in Amsterdam Monday.  She will go on to Madrid Thursday.  Getting de-jet lagged and settled into the very nice apartment in the old west part of the city made available to me by a friend.  Third floor of an old Dutch house located on a canal.  This is a busy and somewhat upscale neighborhood in Amsterdam, just a few blocks west of the Museumplein (Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum, etc.)  Lots of nice shops and cafes within a short walk.  I noticed a child care center about one block away, so I may visit there one of these days.  First impressions:  This is definitely Europe.  The styles, the food, the feel of the city are distinctly different from an American city.  Remembering how many of the Dutch wheel around skillfully on bikes.  As a pedestrian you need to be alert for bikes as much as cars when crossing!