From the ER to Flinckx – A Good Bad Day in Amsterdam (part 2)

It has been raining steadily all morning and afternoon. After we pick up the antibiotic, Herman suggests that we go to the new library to have some lunch. We agree, but I feel bad for Herman as he is forced to drive the confusing streets of Amsterdam. He is very used to riding his bike and knows exactly how and where to go to get to the library by bike, but in the car there are an endless array of one way streets that tease and torment him.

Finally we reach the dock areas of Amsterdam and are treated to a soggy view of the harbor. The large green Nemo museum, an interactive museum, much like the Exploratorium in San Francisco, that is housed in a large green building that is shaped like the prow of a ship. Herman tells us, that on nice days, it is very pleasant to sit on the steps atop the museum and have lunch.

It would not be so pleasant to do so today.

The parking garage beneath the library is large, clean and well lit. We take the elevator up to the main floor and then have to dash across the open walk to the library entrance, getting mildly soaked along the way.

 

The library is very new and wonderfully modern, with 5 floors of open bookshelves and unique reading/study areas laid out at various points, each study area sporting its own unique seats and design. Herman shows us his favorite, some totally enclosed study cubes in which someone can sit alone and undisturbed. Kiss marks on the little window in the cube indicate that sometimes the cubes may be used for something more than reading books.

We reach the top level which houses the cafeteria. It is nicely laid out with an impressive array of pre-made and quick cooking choices. My favorite is a stir-fry counter where you can select your own choices and then hand it to the cook who cooks it up for you.

After lunch we briefly stepped out onto the observation deck to take in the great view of the harbor and the oldest part of Amsterdam. We would have stayed out there longer but for the unrelenting rain.

Later Herman tells me that on this day, more rain has fallen than normally falls during the entire month of October.