Visiting The Netherlands
Fifty-one years ago, my friend Cecelia and I traveled around Europe for more than three months collecting long-lasting memories from our assorted adventures. One of those enduring memories was of Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands. What I remembered over all those years was stumbling on paintings by the Dutch grand masters—Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and others. I did not remember the gorgeous building which houses the museum nor the historical story told in its many gallery rooms. The museum was largely remodeled a few years ago, according to our boutique hotel host. In these times of Covid, advance ticket purchases were required, and luckily were available. (We were not so lucky with purchasing tickets to either the Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House—both of which were sold out for the weekend we were in town.) Proof of vaccination is required to enter any museum, restaurant, or store in Amsterda...