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This was a NATO Meeting in November 2006 (also our 30th Wedding Anniversary)
Amsterdam, Netherlands (here is the National Anthum-click pause when required)
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The Netherlands vs Holland
The name Holland is widely used as being equivalent to the Netherlands; its use is similar to the use of England for the United Kingdom, or Russia for the defunct Soviet Union. Mainly people from other parts of the Netherlands sometimes object to this. They will point out that they are from the Netherlands, instead of the smaller part of the country that is called Holland. People from the southern provinces Limburg and Noord Brabant (Northern Brabant), which are mainly Roman Catholic, retain some bad sentiments against Holland. During the time of the United Provinces these areas did not have any political liberties and in fact were exploited as colonies. A culture of this exploitation and the feeling of being exploited remained until the second world war; only after this war, with the true modernization of the Dutch society did they become more free and did their relative power increase. The anti-Holland sentiment remained however, and is still relatively alive in these parts of the country.
Saying goodbye to family before getting on the plane in Ottawa.
![](2006 19 Nov/2006 19 Nov 06 Joshua and grandparents at Ottawa airport3.JPG)
Joshua was there
![](2006 19 Nov/2006 19 Nov 06 Joshua at Ottawa airport6.JPG)
![](2006 19 Nov/2006 19 Nov 06 Kathryn and Jamine at Ottawa airport1.JPG)
Saw Matthew before hand when he lived in Ottawa
![](2006 19 Nov/2006 19 Nov 06 Matthew Jessika and Jasmine.JPG)
![](2006 19 Nov/2006 19 Nov 06 Matthew Jessika and Jasmine1.JPG)
![](2006 19 Nov/Copy of P1010028.JPG)
![](2006 20 Nov/2006 20 Nov landing in Amsterdam3.JPG)
We arrived-seemed like a day later--hey it was! at Amsterdam Airport.
![](2006 20 Nov/2006 20 Nov Amsterdam airport.JPG)
Since we arrived the 20th we had our anniversary meal at an Italian restaurant. We went back again and that is why we are in different clothes.
![](2006 20 Nov/P1010033.JPG)
Sharon calling Kathryn to let her know we are safe and sound.
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![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov a 1620 clock tower.JPG)
A diamond factory! Sharon didn't miss this one...
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov a diamond factory.JPG)
This is a Coffee House, not one that you want to go into. We went into the CAFE House. boy you really have to be able to read when you go here (or smell, since there is a difference) hahahah
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov a typical Coffee House.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Amsterdam canels.JPG)
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A Barbi exposition
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Barbie.JPG)
This was our view from the back of our window to our hotel
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov canel from hotel room.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov canel from hotel room1.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov canel from hotel room3.JPG)
Central Square
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Dam Square.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Dam Square National Monument1.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Dam Square National Monument3.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Madame Tussaud.JPG)
me preparing supper-it was an eat-in night
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Pierre having supper1.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Rembrant cornor.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Sharon buys boots.JPG)
Sharon and birds---who knew?
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Sharon feeding the swans2.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Sharon feeding the swans5.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Sharon in wooden shoes.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Sharon in wooden shoes1.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov sharon likes the facade of building.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Sharon taking a break1.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Shopping for the windmill2.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov the windmill.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Shopping streets.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov Shopping streets1.JPG)
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![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov streets signs.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov tourist shops.JPG)
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov XMas dress Shirley of hollywood.JPG)
For those who do not know Amsterdam, the XXX is not X-rated, it is their flag!
![](2006 21 Nov/2006 21 Nov XXX Amsterdam symbol.JPG)
This is the largest Tulip warehouse/hot house in the world!
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov BloemenveilingAalsmeer Flowers.JPG)
I would love to learn more about the Logistics of how this operations works.
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer Flowers2.JPG)
Where they do all the auctions
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer Flowers3.JPG)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Delft.JPG)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Delft1.JPG)
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You have all heard of Delft
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Delft workshop2.JPG)
He is the token "painter" all the others are contracted out to get the job done. He is there for the pictures and tourists.
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Delft workshop3.JPG)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Delft workshop4.JPG)
This is the main house where everything is done (mainly through contracts)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Delft workshop5.JPG)
You may not see it clearly, but this is a ferry that goes from one side to the next for pedestrians.
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov ferry.JPG)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Kathaus Hotel.JPG)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Kathaus Hotel1.JPG)
This is the famous miniature world of Amsterdam
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Madurodam2.JPG)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Madurodam5.JPG)
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Sharon and I on a tour bus, touring Holland
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov oo1.JPG)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Peace Tower in De Haag1.JPG)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov Signs to Rotterdam1.JPG)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov to North Sea2.JPG)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov to North Sea4.JPG)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov where Queen Beatrice works in De Haag.JPG)
The old versus the new
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov windmill.JPG)
![](2006 22 Nov/2006 22 Nov windmills.JPG)
![](2006 23 Nov/2006 23 Nov NIGHT WATCHMAN.JPG)
A NATO supper, justifying why we were there!
![](2006 23 Nov/2006 23 Nov supper with NATO Team (1).JPG)
![](2006 23 Nov/2006 23 Nov supper with NATO Team (3).JPG)
![](2006 24 Nov/2006 24 Nov Amsterdam (10).JPG)
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A Woman driver?
![](2006 25 Nov/2006 25 Nov Amsterdam (2).JPG)
![](2006 25 Nov/2006 25 Nov Amsterdam (3).JPG)
This view is something called the 7 bridges or something like that, I do not remember. But it is a mirror like view where you look and see the bridge, and then the next bridge etc.
![](2006 25 Nov/2006 25 Nov Amsterdam (10).JPG)
![](2006 25 Nov/2006 25 Nov Amsterdam (13).JPG)
3 years later, I would be staying at a hotel not far from this building
![](2006 25 Nov/2006 25 Nov Amsterdam (14).JPG)
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Everyone has something to say. Just with some, we need a translator!
![](2006 25 Nov/2006 25 Nov Amsterdam (29).JPG)
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From one form of art
![](2006 25 Nov/2006 25 Nov Amsterdam (36).JPG)
To another
![](2006 25 Nov/2006 25 Nov Amsterdam (40).JPG)
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I wonder how long he had to hold his hand there for the pose???
![](2006 25 Nov/2006 25 Nov Amsterdam (45).JPG)
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I love how I did this by nearly blurring out the passer-bys...Now, wish I could remember what I did!!! :)
![](2006 25 Nov/2006 25 Nov Amsterdam (60).JPG)
![](2006 25 Nov/2006 25 Nov Amsterdam (61).JPG)
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Yes, back at that Italian resturant
![](2006 25 Nov/2006 25 Nov Amsterdam (70).JPG)